"I've come to the conclusion that no matter what I do as a superintendent, I do not have the support of the School Committee in order to make change," Portia Bonner said.
"I have been disrespected since I've been in this district, and after awhile, I just get tired of it," Bonner said.
According to Dr. Fletcher she hurled insults at the mayor as he was getting into his car. "She yelled at the three of us," "She said, 'You better buy me out if you know what's good for you.'"
"To threaten the mayor and two members of the School Committee, I thought it was the height of unprofessionalism," said Tom Clark.
"After her outburst last night, I have completely lost faith in her ability to lead a school district the size of New Bedford," he said. "I think she is not capable of getting a consensus within the School Department or within the community," said Tom Clark.
What are your thoughts?
18 comments:
This is what happens when the part time school commottee and a grab bag of so called community reps get to hire a 160k position.
Portia, Go away!
This is a happy day.
Aunt Clara is on the radio on Phil's show. I have no idea what she's saying. That woman has no clue.
She cannot possibly be trusted to make the decisions of who to hire for the elementary principals and the high school headmaster now! She has proven to be nothing but vindictive and petty and with a threat like that, how can anyone possibly question her disloyalty and loathing of this district. She will destroy the high school. This is our damn city not hers. It's our children at risk. While she's trying to immasculate the mayor, our children are being ignored by the person that is in charge of their education. Our kids mean nothing to her; they never have. This job was merely a stepping stone to her. She has absolutely no cause to do what's best for the school district. All she concerns herself with is the politics and if anyone questions or criticizes her, the best thing she can come up with is pulling the race card. Have you looked arund lady? This is New Bedford. No one cares about color but you!! It shouldn't be that difficult for a strong educated independent woman to come up with something a little more clever, perhaps with a valid argument. And not for nothing, but I've never known any self respecting independent woman to play the victim so well and so frequently. Give me a break. She is no one's victim. Just watch a school committee meeting and see the manner in which she speaks to members of the community, parents with serious concerns, the school committee. She is rude, abusive and becomes quite belligerent whenever she does not get her way or if she is questioned. See for yourself, I can't make this stuff up. Everyone should be very worried every day that she remains in that position of power. For gods sake, at least let Deputy Sup Dr. Sousa choose the principals and headmaster for the district. He has dedicated his entire career in service to NB and there is no one in this city more qualified than he to make those decisions. He can be trusted to do what's best for the district. He has proven his love and loyalty to New Bedford unlike HER, who is essentially attempting to extort money from the city because she is unhappy because she can't implant her own system of cronyism into our school system. She is angry and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. She will seek retribution. Just imagine the damage that she can do in the next few critical months of the school year. Imagine the chaos she can provoke in 14 months.........
I think it's a shame the way New Bedford has treated Dr. Bonner. Hiring with change in mind and then rejecting it because it wasn't what was truly wanted. It's unfortunate that this is the feeling she has and will take away with her. I know there was wrong on all sides of this foolishness, but have we forgotten what we as educators are here for? It's about open mindedness and doing whats best for our students, even though it might be uncomfortable at times. She should have been given a chance, supported, and not fought on any and everything.
I notice how those who "support" Dr. Bonner in her fights do the following:
1. Assume, without cause, that the SC want to pick a fight with her, not vice versa.
2. Point to some ambiguous and miraculous "change" that the SC oppose, again without an example.
Please save us professionals from amateur pundits on the radio and part time bumbles on the school committee. John and Jane public, this is the candidate you chose. The SC didn't force her to rant and scream about her payment in a parking lot. Some role model. Some "change" agent. Look in the mirror.
I'll believe it when she's on a bus out of town.
Latest rumor is that she's leaving before contract is up either on her terms or school committee, and Mike Longo would be interim supt. Curious...
120 positions to be cut-pay her 160K-pay the next guy 160K+-lets keep her.
A sad day all around. New Bedford is dying because it refuses to change. We're now on level ground with Lowell. But hey, somebody's Uncle's cousin's aunt's great niece needs a job. She's a nice girl, not too great on the transcript....let her teach. Is that REALLY what we want going forward ? NB teachers are better than this, smarter than this, and are one of the largest employment groups in the city. Don't remain reticent. Speak up ! Is anyone worried about the large drain of senior employees from the Police and Fire Departments ? It's more significant than ours. Be afraid very afraid when the cop that arrives at your door was never required to get a college degree, and doesn't have the skills to communicate with you because he or she never learned them. They have lost an average of $200. out of their pay each week. The Quinn Bill - an educational incentive put into place to create a more educated law enforcement community - has been taken away by New Bedford. So, now we'll lose an educated leader. She's dynamic, passionate, and she does things that ruffle feathers, pluck hairs, and p....people off....but necessary turnover is happening. According to my calculations, that's over $300,000 in salary savings alone. Maybe now the rugs will be removed, the leaks will be fixed, and our buildings can be properly, hygienically cleaned to prevent 'sick building syndrome'. There's a risk-cost-benefit here. The problem in New Bedford is we've never been able to see outside our borders. If you never bring anything or anyone new into your house...including new ideas....your house becomes very small, the walls and floor collapse, and you're left in the rubble. Hang on...we're almost there.
Let's try to stay focused here.... This is step one of a good thing. Step two is to remember that our contract runs concurrent with the sitting SoS. Be willing to wait... Third, wouldn't it be fun to know that the SoS's contract contains the same final clause as does each of us... "And any other duties as assigned"
How much would a day of PSB performing the duties of a Pre-Kindergarten Teaching Asst be worth to you...?
Harry L Dinkle
Okay, this is a step in the right direction and Bonner is now flying her crazy flag for all to see. But let's get down to business: some very important and far-reaching personnel decisions need to be made between now and the time her contract has expired. How will we ensure that she won't be able to taint that process while we're counting the days until her contract is up?
Way to keep it "klassy", Doc B. Shrieking across a parking lot at the people who hired you isn't professional--even if you work at Chuck E. Cheese.
Her actions, even in the heat of anger, reflects nothing but a Jerry Springer-esque loss of control and poise that is simply epic in proportion.
Shame on you for sinking to the level of hysterical banshee when you didn't get your way.
Any child in our schools who did so should expect to be reprimanded--do you not know better?
When Dr. Bonner was appointed as Superintendent – there was a great anticipation of positive change.
We thought we had obtained a first class superintendent. How unfortunate for us that those who believed in her, were 100% wrong.
We have as our educational leader an individual who is incapable of making a lucid decision that will benefit NBPS. She has argued with every level of NBPS: students, parents, custodians, nurses, lunch aides, teachers, asst principals, principals, paraprofessionals, asst supt, school committee members, the mayor, and the unions (very dangerous grounds when you anger the advocates of the people) – and, she wants us to believe that she is the victim – highly unlikely!
The victims of her two year reign are our students, because every level of NBPS can and will be touched by her revenge, and due to her “off with their head” mentality, the students will be harmed. If we thought there was carnage prior to the last SC meeting – wait, this smart PhD is only beginning.
We need a no confidence vote. She needs to leave now. Please do not give her the opportunity to do more damage.
Bonner is maniacal and she has her own cohorts among the younger principals – those who report to her daily on her personal blackberry what will these puppets do when she is gone and they have no one to make their decisions.
It’s time to buy her out. SC, find the money. Bring back Mike Longo or Eileen Kenny. Appoint Ronny Souza or Larry Oliveira. We have capable people who can run an efficient and effective school department. Let Bonner terrorize some other community. We’ve had our turn and it hasn’t been pleasant.
A 4 P.M. meeting on a Friday does not bode well for Bonner. TERMINATE HER NOW! Can we also get rid of the principals she hired too? We can start with the one that cares more about the children of Cape Verde than our own New Bedford kids.
4 pm was probably the very next available time for all the part timers on the school committee.
Why is it assumed that the SoS was making the right decisions? Isn't it the SC's job to question actions that they don't understand or agree with? And what's wrong with answering those questions if you have valid reasons for your decisions? Absolutely nothing; unless of course your motivations are personal, irrational and unjustified.
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