The School Committee voted Monday to require the School Department to use multiple forms of communication to inform the community of possible public health threats.
This vote came as a result of the Superintendent's failure to adequately to inform the school committee and the community of a confirmed case of swine flu.
"It's unacceptable; you need to communicate," said committee member Thomas Clark. "As a parent, I feel like we lost a little bit of trust."
"A lack of knowledge can breed fear. The parents have rights," said Dr. Fletcher. "They should be able to decide whether to keep their child home or send their child to school."
Marlene Pollock added, "When you have full disclosure ... you reduce the fear."
Do you agree with the school committee's decision?
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090609/NEWS/906090337
15 comments:
A month ago this precedent was set in Fall River when a teacher contracted swine flu. Meg Mayo-Brown, the supt of Fall River PS was on conference calls all night with State Dept of Public Health, Mayor Correia, and several school committee members to compose a plan of action. They inturn, protected the rights of the individual according to HIPPA laws and privacy rights to not release the name of school or individual. However, they did notify the public via letters home, newspaper and TV, assuring the public that steps have been taken to minimize any risk of infection, as well as educate them about signs & symptoms, recommendations for illness, etc. There was no hysteria in Fall River. Parents were well informed, could choose to keep their children home or not. The DESE also stated that those children who missed the MCAS would be able to make it up without any ramifications. Why not follow suit with a precedent already set in a similar district?
I'll never again vote for Aunt Clara. She supports Bonner even though she is clearly wrong on this issue. To me Clara has no integrity. I think she should resign from the school committee and go back to work at the standard times.
Kudos to the school committee for finally telling Dr. Bonner their her boss.
I agree. The school committee is no longer her rubber stamp.
I was at the school committee meeting last night. She doesn't hide the fact that she is at war with most members of the school committee. She has no respect for them or us. God help us all.
I feel sorry for Dr. Bonner. She could have really made a difference in New Bedford but instead her arrogance got in the way and now she'll accomplish nothing.
Mr Mayor,
Please get rid of that woman. She's hurting our school system.
Dr. Francis for Superintendent!
I agree. She would be awesome. I hope the school committee is reading this blog. It's time to act.
Fairhaven student tests positive for swine flu. Superintendent Robert Baldwin finds out late Friday. He notifies parents on Monday. No hysteria. No misunderstandings. That's the difference between a real Superintendent and a woman who pretends to be one.
immediately.http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090608/NEWS/90608021
Maybe when Bonner leaves she'll take Aunt Clara with her.
I am impressed that the school committee (with one exception) appears to be "on to" the witch at last. We all need to let them know that we respect that they are big enough to say she's a mistake. We all think she looked good but isn't what she appeared to be. The committee tried but it's time to take a leadership role now and dump this tyrant before she ruins the district all together. Mayor, we're all counting on you.
Can't the school committee fire Portia for refusing to answer Dr. Fletcher when he asked for the name of the school? Isn't that insubordination? Bet she'd call it that if we refused to answer her.
I agree with DSSftball. The problem is that Dr.Bonner thinks the people in New Bedford are a bunch of stupid losers who never had a clue until she came here.
Where's the hysteria, Portia?
Post a Comment