Last Thursday night's LSC meeting a report was given by the appointed program specialist in charge of the "Race To The Top" grant money. Like I said previously, we were told what we can't spend the money on. Missing from the monologue was what we "could" spend the money on.
Well to be honest that was not completely true, I mean we were told about general expenditures about data. I don't like the "New Math" or any math for that matter. Numbers scare me.
It would have been nice to hear what others districts are doing with the money. Thirteen districts are not even getting any money.
I am sure it is just a coincidence we have all this grant money available and suddenly we can afford to create a new Deputy Superintendent's position even though our classes are overcrowded and our libraries are closed. I guess I should have studied math in school because to me, it just doesn't add up.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Lynn Is Burning!
Wow! I had 269 hits yesterday. I hear things, now more things. It seems that some positions that are about to be filled and there are rumors the interviews to be conducted are just for show because the selections are predetermined.
I would hope that is not the case. We want and even demand our administrators to be fair to be honest. The job goes to the best person. That's the American way. Is it the Lynn way?
One of the things I also heard was the selection for the new Deputy Superintendent job already had a name linked to it. The approval for posting the position was only granted Thur. night. Rumors are not fact but remember the old adage about smoke. Like Smokey Bear says, "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires"
I would hope that is not the case. We want and even demand our administrators to be fair to be honest. The job goes to the best person. That's the American way. Is it the Lynn way?
One of the things I also heard was the selection for the new Deputy Superintendent job already had a name linked to it. The approval for posting the position was only granted Thur. night. Rumors are not fact but remember the old adage about smoke. Like Smokey Bear says, "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires"
Why Have I Been Sending Copies Of The Watch To Council?
Well it's not just because I like seeing my numbers go up. Although I have to admit it's been pretty heady to see my readership skyrocket. Me, an unemployed disabled wanna be poet.
The fact of the matter is that the city of Lynn subsidizes 50% of the school budget. I don't have to throw any more numbers at you to make you realize that is a significant amount. Now the mayor chairs the committee so if there is any financial mismanagement going on, she should know about it. Council on the other hand, has no representative. Checks and balances, you know.
Hopefully they are giving careful and deliberate thought to the things I'm bringing up and not just hitting the delete button. I guess we'll see who is interested come election time.
The fact of the matter is that the city of Lynn subsidizes 50% of the school budget. I don't have to throw any more numbers at you to make you realize that is a significant amount. Now the mayor chairs the committee so if there is any financial mismanagement going on, she should know about it. Council on the other hand, has no representative. Checks and balances, you know.
Hopefully they are giving careful and deliberate thought to the things I'm bringing up and not just hitting the delete button. I guess we'll see who is interested come election time.
Sweet Dreams, Lynn Public Schools!
It seems there are a lot of questions surrounding how what little money our school system has is spent. People have made decisions that it is wiser to spend money on litigation rather than education. That doesn't make sense to me. It appears that those same people are placing their egos before their, rather our pocketbook.
This sad because I have learned the hard way through all my dealings with probate court, there are no winners, only losers. When you really get down to it who will pay for our educators lesson? Not them because they get paid either way. Not even our taxpayers because, our taxes are a fixed cost regardless of the quality of our education. Sadly it is our students, our children who will pay the price.
We our mortgaging our future to support our habit for status quo. I hope everyone can sleep well tonight!
This sad because I have learned the hard way through all my dealings with probate court, there are no winners, only losers. When you really get down to it who will pay for our educators lesson? Not them because they get paid either way. Not even our taxpayers because, our taxes are a fixed cost regardless of the quality of our education. Sadly it is our students, our children who will pay the price.
We our mortgaging our future to support our habit for status quo. I hope everyone can sleep well tonight!
Looking For Answers, Not Love
Boy with all the medical problems surrounding the Lynn Public Schools. it makes me wonder where my investigation should take me. OSHA, EPA, or maybe I should just yell, "What up, Oprah?".
The uncontested facts are the person who was in charge of the SPED dept. had a stroke, the Hood principal had a similar problem, and allegedly a Confidential Secretary was moved for medical reasons. If anybody knows of any others please let me know. I want to be thorough. I mean, how can be fair if I don't know all the facts?
All for now, Scoop over and out.
The uncontested facts are the person who was in charge of the SPED dept. had a stroke, the Hood principal had a similar problem, and allegedly a Confidential Secretary was moved for medical reasons. If anybody knows of any others please let me know. I want to be thorough. I mean, how can be fair if I don't know all the facts?
All for now, Scoop over and out.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Scoop Or Talk Soup? I Think I'll Snoop!
Sorry for the corny title but I'm a poor starving poet at heart. Boy there may be a very interesting story brewing. In the words of a movie mobster, "I hear things!".
Some of the things I hear revolve around the Confidential Secretary position and alleged violations of civil law. The two parties are so far apart, somebody is obviously dishonest. I guess it's up to me to find out the truth. I've got nothing else to do and I am beholden to no one since I DON'T HAVE A JOB' I'M JUST A POOR DISABLED POET WHO VOLUNTEERS IN THE LIBRARY!
People are talking and they say they know where the bodies are buried! All for now, over and out - Scoop.
Some of the things I hear revolve around the Confidential Secretary position and alleged violations of civil law. The two parties are so far apart, somebody is obviously dishonest. I guess it's up to me to find out the truth. I've got nothing else to do and I am beholden to no one since I DON'T HAVE A JOB' I'M JUST A POOR DISABLED POET WHO VOLUNTEERS IN THE LIBRARY!
People are talking and they say they know where the bodies are buried! All for now, over and out - Scoop.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
My Public Service Annoucement
Today has been the busiest day ever in my blog's history and I want to reiterate "No Rats Were Harmed As A Result Of Today's Postings", at least none of the four legged furry kind!
Maybe We Pay Our Bills With Funny Money
Thursday night's LSC meeting was full of rather controversial decisions, issues and stuff. Packed into that boring Personnel sub-committee meeting was a rather dubious decision. It seems that Dr. Latham, last years Lynn Journal "Woman of the Year" claims to be in need of another Deputy Superintendent. The current workload of administering our 26 or so schools (5 of which are failing) is too much.
There is no doubt it is a formidable task but so is being a parent and I don't get to add an extra parent just because I feel overwhelmed sometimes. The LSC members on the sub-committee are as follows: Donna Coppola - chair, Maria Carrasco, and Patricia Capano.
The proposal seemed to be going down to defeat in the sub-committee, which meant it would not be brought before the whole committee. The battle lined up like this, Donna Coppola was against it and Patricia Capano argued for it. Maria Carrasco appeared to be leaning towards voting no. However after repeatably offering her opinion that the matter should be brought up before the full committee for discussion. At this point, Maria succumbed to the bullying tactics of Capano and voted to bring the matter before the whole committee.
When it did come up before there wasn't much discussion. The vote to post the position was quickly taken and not surprisingly the measure past with Patricia Capano, Vinnie Spirito, John Ford, and Maria Carrasco voting in favor of the addition, while Donna Coppola and Rick Starbard voting no.
Dr. Latham offered testimony that she thought she could cover at least half of the new position's salary with "grant" money. he failed to be specific about where this grant money would come from. In lieu of some unspecified "grant" monies she was sure she could cover it with the current school budget.
Really? We have overcrowded classrooms, 5 failing schools (Level 3 or 4), and physical plant problems at most if not all our city's schools..How could the superintendent have extra money squirreled away? Must be because she used to be a math teacher. Numbers are probably more favorable to her than most of us that have to pay our bills.
There is no doubt it is a formidable task but so is being a parent and I don't get to add an extra parent just because I feel overwhelmed sometimes. The LSC members on the sub-committee are as follows: Donna Coppola - chair, Maria Carrasco, and Patricia Capano.
The proposal seemed to be going down to defeat in the sub-committee, which meant it would not be brought before the whole committee. The battle lined up like this, Donna Coppola was against it and Patricia Capano argued for it. Maria Carrasco appeared to be leaning towards voting no. However after repeatably offering her opinion that the matter should be brought up before the full committee for discussion. At this point, Maria succumbed to the bullying tactics of Capano and voted to bring the matter before the whole committee.
When it did come up before there wasn't much discussion. The vote to post the position was quickly taken and not surprisingly the measure past with Patricia Capano, Vinnie Spirito, John Ford, and Maria Carrasco voting in favor of the addition, while Donna Coppola and Rick Starbard voting no.
Dr. Latham offered testimony that she thought she could cover at least half of the new position's salary with "grant" money. he failed to be specific about where this grant money would come from. In lieu of some unspecified "grant" monies she was sure she could cover it with the current school budget.
Really? We have overcrowded classrooms, 5 failing schools (Level 3 or 4), and physical plant problems at most if not all our city's schools..How could the superintendent have extra money squirreled away? Must be because she used to be a math teacher. Numbers are probably more favorable to her than most of us that have to pay our bills.
Who's Money Is It Anyway?
The mood of most of the members of the LSC was clearly disappointed after hearing the report from the program specialist in charge of administering the "Race To The Top" grant monies. This was a newly created position this year.
Some LSC members asked questions about hiring back teachers, reducing classes sizes, extending the school day but those and other ideas were shot down. According to her interpretation of the grant criteria, "it's all about the data, baby!".
I 've read the brochure and I don't quite interpret it that way but I am not a lawyer maybe she is. Anyway I am sure she is more educated than me.
Some LSC members asked questions about hiring back teachers, reducing classes sizes, extending the school day but those and other ideas were shot down. According to her interpretation of the grant criteria, "it's all about the data, baby!".
I 've read the brochure and I don't quite interpret it that way but I am not a lawyer maybe she is. Anyway I am sure she is more educated than me.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Public Confidential
Before last night's LSC meeting they had a Personnel sub-committee meeting. There was a lot of talk about the Confidential secretaries who gets them, how many there are, and who gets called back from layoff.
There used to be six or eight and I think it was reduced to 4 this year and when Dr. Latham's CS, Pat Bucko, retired in Dec. a position opened up for a callback. A discussion was held in which it was explained that they weren't in the same bargaining unit as the rest of the school employees. I was a boring discussion about seniority and union business.
However things got exciting after that meeting during the open forum before the regular LSC meeting when laid-off CS Holly tried to speak, vice-chair Patricia Capano shot her down because she said that specific personnel matters could not be discussed before the committee so Holly was silenced.
Being an inquisitive person I approached Holly during the break offering to tell her story. I gave her a flyer about Lynn School Watch and gave her my e mail address. She was seemingly eager to provide me with more info. I was excited about the prospects of playing investigative journalist. But in reality Holly told me she had two lawyers and she probably won't be allowed to tell me much. Shucks, I was hoping to get a new nickname. "Scoop Wotring" , yeah that's it.
Oh well, stay tuned.
There used to be six or eight and I think it was reduced to 4 this year and when Dr. Latham's CS, Pat Bucko, retired in Dec. a position opened up for a callback. A discussion was held in which it was explained that they weren't in the same bargaining unit as the rest of the school employees. I was a boring discussion about seniority and union business.
However things got exciting after that meeting during the open forum before the regular LSC meeting when laid-off CS Holly tried to speak, vice-chair Patricia Capano shot her down because she said that specific personnel matters could not be discussed before the committee so Holly was silenced.
Being an inquisitive person I approached Holly during the break offering to tell her story. I gave her a flyer about Lynn School Watch and gave her my e mail address. She was seemingly eager to provide me with more info. I was excited about the prospects of playing investigative journalist. But in reality Holly told me she had two lawyers and she probably won't be allowed to tell me much. Shucks, I was hoping to get a new nickname. "Scoop Wotring" , yeah that's it.
Oh well, stay tuned.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Tangled Webs?
Rick Starbard directed me to the school dept. web site which indicates a meeting. I laughingly blamed my mistake on my brain damage. Mary Ellen Palermo wrote me that she talked to Maria Carrasco who told her there was a meeting. I called Donna Coppola who not only confirmed tonight's meeting, she's giving me a ride.
Let's juxtapose that a minute with a few other interesting facts. I had my wife print out for me the Lynn city calender clearly listing the meeting as canceled. She also printed out for me the calender for today at Itemlive.com which while it indicates school committee meetings in Saugus and Swampscott, Lynn is notoriously absent.
Given last week's secret meeting about the garden at Ingalls, this is setting a pattern that does not bode well for Lynn Public Schools.
Let's juxtapose that a minute with a few other interesting facts. I had my wife print out for me the Lynn city calender clearly listing the meeting as canceled. She also printed out for me the calender for today at Itemlive.com which while it indicates school committee meetings in Saugus and Swampscott, Lynn is notoriously absent.
Given last week's secret meeting about the garden at Ingalls, this is setting a pattern that does not bode well for Lynn Public Schools.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Money, Money. Show Me The Money. Our Schools Are Failing, Why Aren't We Meeting?
Follow the money, that's how you are supposed to investigate whether or not decisions are made in your best interest. The problem is some one has to leave a trail.LSC member, Rick Starbard commented on my last post that there was a LSC meeting tomorrow night.
Since I have great respect for Rick, I thought maybe I had looked at the calender wrong so I rechecked it on the city's web site and found that it was listed as canceled. Usually they mail out agendas to the schools and they haven't received one at Ford.
Remembering hearing school department attorney Mihos talking about the 48 hour posting requirement, I called city hall. The operator directed me to the city council (coincidence?) who directed me to the school department. They were closed for the day. I will check again tomorrow with more people but the facts are that either there is no meeting, leading to speculation about why the avoidance or laws may being broken about proper notice. I don't know, I'm just a volunteer librarian and a parent.
Since I have great respect for Rick, I thought maybe I had looked at the calender wrong so I rechecked it on the city's web site and found that it was listed as canceled. Usually they mail out agendas to the schools and they haven't received one at Ford.
Remembering hearing school department attorney Mihos talking about the 48 hour posting requirement, I called city hall. The operator directed me to the city council (coincidence?) who directed me to the school department. They were closed for the day. I will check again tomorrow with more people but the facts are that either there is no meeting, leading to speculation about why the avoidance or laws may being broken about proper notice. I don't know, I'm just a volunteer librarian and a parent.
Is Something Being Hidden?
I just went on line to check about Thur. meeting of the LSC to double check the agenda and to my surprise it has been canceled. Why? There has not been a meeting in two months and then only one each in November and December. There are so many problems, so many questions. What are we doing, where are we going?
Can anybody say fiduciary responsibility? Can I spell it?
Can anybody say fiduciary responsibility? Can I spell it?
Where Is All The Money Gone?
With all the drama surrounding the chief financial officer in Lynn it begs the question what's going on with the school department's handling of both the "Race To The Top" money and the governor's 4 million dollars of grant money. We were promised an accounting of the proposed expenditures in January back in December Then there was the weather, a real snow job.
I am hoping for a full accounting Thur. night.'s LSC meeting. Stay tuned!
I am hoping for a full accounting Thur. night.'s LSC meeting. Stay tuned!
Monday, February 7, 2011
What Are The Hills Alive With?
Some excitement today in the library! No a lost, original manuscript of Harry Potter wasn't found, nor the funding for the restoration of the "real" librarians wasn't found. I got introduced the new music teacher. I apologize for not remembering his name, but I was so excited that the cries for more more attention to a complete education won't be so off-key.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
There's Snow Getting Around It!
Well I'm glad to see the Item finally getting around to doing a story about what all these snow days mean to this year's school calender. Unfortunately the problems caused by this and future snows this winter are not over. We all know what comes with melting. The damage is not over.
http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2011/02/05/news/news04.txt
Let's not forget the other story about the effects of an uncertain schedule. I know I'm from WV but I didn't know this was the first year that it snowed in Massachusetts. These are problems that should have been anticipated. We need to look at how we devise our school calenders going forward. Have I said that before?
http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2011/02/05/news/news03.txt
I've got plenty of questions, just looking for some answers.
http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2011/02/05/news/news04.txt
Let's not forget the other story about the effects of an uncertain schedule. I know I'm from WV but I didn't know this was the first year that it snowed in Massachusetts. These are problems that should have been anticipated. We need to look at how we devise our school calenders going forward. Have I said that before?
http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2011/02/05/news/news03.txt
I've got plenty of questions, just looking for some answers.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Roofs, Snows, and Repairs
The different news medias are full of stories about collapsing roofs so naturally it does make me wonder about the structural integrity of our schools. Hopefully this bad weather will energize our school officials to redouble their efforts to secure money for school repairs.We have a lot of older schools throughout Lynn in disrepair.Oh yeah, we have a lot snow too.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Let's Take LVTI From Failure To The Front
This article illustrates what I was just saying about Lynn VoTech. Instead of failing, it should be leading our schools into the future. I would hope the superintendent and the school committee come up to bolster this school and allow it to take its place at the forefront of modern education. We are lucky to have this school.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/02/02/20career.h30.html?tkn=OWMFU1bwfubQOCZnehX6AobqxQVe5xc%2BUyQG&cmp=clp-edweek
(cut and paste)
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/02/02/20career.h30.html?tkn=OWMFU1bwfubQOCZnehX6AobqxQVe5xc%2BUyQG&cmp=clp-edweek
(cut and paste)
Did The Superintendent See Her Shadow?
Now that the groundhog has not seen his shadow, what does that mean for Lynn schools? With all of these snow days questions arise about the length of the school calender. How late in June will we go? Will the Winter or Spring break be effected? Of course we could always go on Saturdays in order to insure we get the required 180 days.
Cancelling school all of these days has been necessary. Safety first. We just need to face the fact we live where we live and plan accordingly. The time to plan is before and not after stuff happens. We need to seriously examine our school calender going forward.
I don't know the answers, I just have questions. I know that's the easy part but I'm not as educated as those people in the school department. I'm just gonna get a cup of coffee and read some Robert Frost poetry.
Cancelling school all of these days has been necessary. Safety first. We just need to face the fact we live where we live and plan accordingly. The time to plan is before and not after stuff happens. We need to seriously examine our school calender going forward.
I don't know the answers, I just have questions. I know that's the easy part but I'm not as educated as those people in the school department. I'm just gonna get a cup of coffee and read some Robert Frost poetry.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A Diamond In The Rough
It blows my mind that Lynn Tech is one of the five schools in Lynn that are failing. It is not only failing but it's enrollment. I don't have the actual statistics in front of me so if I'm wrong on any of this I hopesomebody will correct me.
In today's employment market, the technology driven trades should be all the rage in this school of practical education. The doors of the institution should be busting at the seams instead of suffering a declining enrollment. With STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education poised to lead our economy in the future, questions abound about how our educational administrators both let the school decline to this point and how they expect to rescue the students.
I have not toured the school and have only actually been in a couple of rooms but I did have a step-son graduate from the auto body program a couple of years ago. It just seems to be a fresh, exciting place to learn about real life. If we just started with enough enthusiasm about the wonderful, practical,and real opportunities available there, that that enthusiasm would be contagious. As I have said before, it's all about presentation. We need our leaders to present well.
In today's employment market, the technology driven trades should be all the rage in this school of practical education. The doors of the institution should be busting at the seams instead of suffering a declining enrollment. With STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education poised to lead our economy in the future, questions abound about how our educational administrators both let the school decline to this point and how they expect to rescue the students.
I have not toured the school and have only actually been in a couple of rooms but I did have a step-son graduate from the auto body program a couple of years ago. It just seems to be a fresh, exciting place to learn about real life. If we just started with enough enthusiasm about the wonderful, practical,and real opportunities available there, that that enthusiasm would be contagious. As I have said before, it's all about presentation. We need our leaders to present well.
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