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Friday, April 9, 2010
OUR VIEW: Sadly, Bonner must go | SouthCoastToday.com
Isn't it interesting how the Standard Times can shape information. At first she was the answer to ever one of it's prayers. Now she needs to go. You get what you pay for. The ST led our politicians into making the decision to hire her. No one "knew" her. For the ST or anyone to say the School Committee should have known her better is silly. Just tell me how do you get to know someone you don't know? Doesn't it take time? I wonder how many people don't work out over at the ST?
School Department staff are told to go back to school and improve, yet when you do that there is no place for you in NB because you must be part of the "club". Please tell me how can we win?
It seems that Dr. Bonner will soon be part of the school department's history. I wonder what will happen next? Please let's not bring back Longo as someone suggested. That is not the answer. We, the people of New Bedford, the children of New Bedford, need better than that.
A newspaper can always come out on the right side of the issue. It was this newspaper that fiercely pushed the idea that no New Bedford resident was good enough, that there was a magical outsider who could solve everything. The editor even proposed a 200k salary.
I don't think anyone could possibly have foreseen the way Bonner would behave once the ink was dry on her contract. I attended several of the public interviews and if anything, she came across as somewhat meek-- I remember worrying that she might not have a strong enough personality to be successful here! I call a bait-and-(s)witch!
Bonner's issues far exceed a personality conflict. The School Committee is not perfect, but Bonner's behavior has been so erratic, so illogical, so dictatorial, that I have a hard time imagining her being successful in any leadership position.
Good luck to the school system that ends up with her-- if there even is such a brave district. Learn from our mistakes, please!
Let's hope that the city of New Bedford and the school committee REALLY investigate the background and past performance of the next superintendent, whoever that may be. Talking with previous employees who worked under the person will probably get them a more realistic overall picture of any incompetence that might have surfaced elsewhere.
It should have been a huge clue when Hamden CT didn't hire her as their own superintendent after her serving as interim for a short time. She was already in place; had served as Asst. Sup. Why not hire her? This is called a RED FLAG!! A quick Google search of the woman would have enlightened you to several articles in the local Hamden newspaper. A couple more warning signals would have been found with very little effort.
Well done School Committe and all of those within NBPS who have struggled through the mire. Well done NBEA for telling the truth about her and not letting up until the powers that be ( even the Standard Times) were in agreement. And Congratulations to Dr. Francis for being appointed- finally someone who has worked long and hard for the children of New Bedford, and earned a great deal of respect from the faculty and staff. Kudos to you!
So she is gone-some will be "dancing in the streets". Now what will we do? Will change still be the order of the day? When change comes will those who are entitled and enjoy privilage push back? Or will we stay as we are?
I think the drink and the dancing are definitely in order and I'd like to suggest some singing as well. What was that song that the Munchkins sang when the house fell on the Wicked Witch of the East?
All the people that keep suggesting change need to really actually have a concrete idea of what change will actually be good change and not just change for the sake of merely saying, "Hey look I'm doing things differently. I'm an agent of change." If New Bedford is as afraid of change as so many claim, then the logical course of action would be to communicate to the affected people what exactly you are changing and why. I guarantee that if people understand what you are doing, they will be far more receptive and if you let the people that work for you in on it, they may actually be willing and able to help. Its really not that difficult.
There is an unsung hero that was correct about Dr. Bonner's deficiencies from the start. His name is Mr. Louis St. John. He was vilified in the newspaper when he stood up for the contractual rights of teachers. Just because the administration served us some lousy coffee and snacks doesn't mean they can have us start earlier than the time agreed to by contract. He was labeled as someone that was an obstacle to change. Throughout it all, he worked quietly and diligently. Lou remained a gentleman and a professional. Others began to see that all was not right at PRAB. Thank you Lou for helping to end "The Nightmare on County Street." We must now turn our attention to working with Dr. Francis for the benefit of our children. However, we must be mindful that "Portia's Poison Pills" remain in place. They are the principals that bully, harass, and disrespect teachers. WE ALL KNOW WHO THEY ARE. I hope Dr. Francis will send the message that THEY ARE NOT WELCOME IN NEW BEDFORD!
1. Her first full year showed NO POSITIVE CHANGE 2. This year, she has made decisions based on emotion not logic. 3. Her CHANGE mantra was based on the false idea that the educators in the NBPS have no idea about culturally sensitive instruction. 4. If you begin with the premise that your teachers are fundamentally passive and inert--that but for the threat of a stick or the enticement of carrot, they wouldn't do much--that points you toward one set of policies and practices. But if you begin with another assumption--that it's our nature to be active and engaged--that leads you down a very different road, one that's actually more effective. 5. "Never pretend to be a unicorn by sticking a plunger on your head "
I agree with the anonymous contributor who stated that we need to begin focusing on those individuals who were protected by Dr. Bonner for the last couple of years despite being unprofessional and at times inept in their positions. Yes, we do know who they all are, and it is my hope and the hope of others that they will be exposed and weeded out so that the garden that is our school system may grow again.
25 comments:
Isn't it interesting how the Standard Times can shape information. At first she was the answer to ever one of it's prayers. Now she needs to go. You get what you pay for. The ST led our politicians into making the decision to hire her. No one "knew" her. For the ST or anyone to say the School Committee should have known her better is silly. Just tell me how do you get to know someone you don't know? Doesn't it take time? I wonder how many people don't work out over at the ST?
School Department staff are told to go back to school and improve, yet when you do that there is no place for you in NB because you must be part of the "club". Please tell me how can we win?
It seems that Dr. Bonner will soon be part of the school department's history. I wonder what will happen next? Please let's not bring back Longo as someone suggested. That is not the answer. We, the people of New Bedford, the children of New Bedford, need better than that.
A newspaper can always come out on the right side of the issue. It was this newspaper that fiercely pushed the idea that no New Bedford resident was good enough, that there was a magical outsider who could solve everything. The editor even proposed a 200k salary.
I don't think anyone could possibly have foreseen the way Bonner would behave once the ink was dry on her contract. I attended several of the public interviews and if anything, she came across as somewhat meek-- I remember worrying that she might not have a strong enough personality to be successful here! I call a bait-and-(s)witch!
Bonner's issues far exceed a personality conflict. The School Committee is not perfect, but Bonner's behavior has been so erratic, so illogical, so dictatorial, that I have a hard time imagining her being successful in any leadership position.
Good luck to the school system that ends up with her-- if there even is such a brave district. Learn from our mistakes, please!
News reports that some legal effort was made to prevent the 4pm meeting. The meeting went ahead.
Let's hope that the city of New Bedford and the school committee REALLY investigate the background and past performance of the next superintendent, whoever that may be. Talking with previous employees who worked under the person will probably get them a more realistic overall picture of any incompetence that might have surfaced elsewhere.
BONNER IS GONE! THE NIGHTMARE IS OVER!
And go she did!
How will we celebrate? Anyone know of a bar in New Bedford that can hold all twelve hundred teachers for a celebratory cocktail??
GONE
close the street between the High School and Keith and dance in the streets!
It should have been a huge clue when Hamden CT didn't hire her as their own superintendent after her serving as interim for a short time. She was already in place; had served as Asst. Sup. Why not hire her? This is called a RED FLAG!! A quick Google search of the woman would have enlightened you to several articles in the local Hamden newspaper. A couple more warning signals would have been found with very little effort.
Well done School Committe and all of those within NBPS who have struggled through the mire. Well done NBEA for telling the truth about her and not letting up until the powers that be ( even the Standard Times) were in agreement. And Congratulations to Dr. Francis for being appointed- finally someone who has worked long and hard for the children of New Bedford, and earned a great deal of respect from the faculty and staff. Kudos to you!
So she is gone-some will be "dancing in the streets". Now what will we do? Will change still be the order of the day? When change comes will those who are entitled and enjoy privilage push back? Or will we stay as we are?
I think the drink and the dancing are definitely in order and I'd like to suggest some singing as well. What was that song that the Munchkins sang when the house fell on the Wicked Witch of the East?
Hey Lou,
Are you practicing your "I told you so" dance?
To those in mourning for "change." What the heck "change" are you talking about? Can you answer without referring to cliches?
All the people that keep suggesting change need to really actually have a concrete idea of what change will actually be good change and not just change for the sake of merely saying, "Hey look I'm doing things differently. I'm an agent of change." If New Bedford is as afraid of change as so many claim, then the logical course of action would be to communicate to the affected people what exactly you are changing and why. I guarantee that if people understand what you are doing, they will be far more receptive and if you let the people that work for you in on it, they may actually be willing and able to help. Its really not that difficult.
UNBELIEVABLE! THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER. BEST OF LUCK DR.FRANCIS.
I think it was called "Ding Dong the WITCH is GONE" sing it everyone
BONNER IS A GONER !!!
HURRAY, HURRAY !!!
IN THE WORDS OF THE GREAT MARTIN LUTHER KING..."WE ARE FREE, WE ARE FREE, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE AT LAST !!!
You don't know what change needs to take place? Where have you been? The DESE is watching!
I hope Joe Oliver is up there somewhere smiling
There is an unsung hero that was correct about Dr. Bonner's deficiencies from the start. His name is Mr. Louis St. John. He was vilified in the newspaper when he stood up for the contractual rights of teachers. Just because the administration served us some lousy coffee and snacks doesn't mean they can have us start earlier than the time agreed to by contract. He was labeled as someone that was an obstacle to change.
Throughout it all, he worked quietly and diligently. Lou remained a gentleman and a professional. Others began to see that all was not right at PRAB.
Thank you Lou for helping to end "The Nightmare on County Street."
We must now turn our attention to working with Dr. Francis for the benefit of our children.
However, we must be mindful that "Portia's Poison Pills" remain in place. They are the principals that bully, harass, and disrespect teachers. WE ALL KNOW WHO THEY ARE. I hope Dr. Francis will send the message that THEY ARE NOT WELCOME IN NEW BEDFORD!
Yeah. Bonner was right on top of that DESE work. DESE Cape Verde school reform.
1. Her first full year showed NO
POSITIVE CHANGE
2. This year, she has made decisions
based on emotion not logic.
3. Her CHANGE mantra was based on
the false idea that the educators
in the NBPS have no idea about
culturally sensitive instruction.
4. If you begin with the premise that your teachers are fundamentally passive and inert--that but for the threat of a stick or the enticement of carrot, they wouldn't do much--that points you toward one set of policies and practices. But if you begin with another assumption--that it's our nature to be active and engaged--that leads you down a very different road, one that's actually more effective.
5. "Never pretend
to be a unicorn
by sticking a plunger on your head "
I agree with the anonymous contributor who stated that we need to begin focusing on those individuals who were protected by Dr. Bonner for the last couple of years despite being unprofessional and at times inept in their positions. Yes, we do know who they all are, and it is my hope and the hope of others that they will be exposed and weeded out so that the garden that is our school system may grow again.
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