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During Monday's school committee meeting, Garrett Smith, a managing director at the District Management Council (DMC), a Boston-based consulting company, hired by the state to work with the district on its turnaround plan said, "the basic structure of the district's plan is sound: The four big strategic objectives and the handful of initiatives that fall under them will remain largely the same".
Smith went on to say, "We're really a facilitator: We're trying to bring ideas to the table," said Smith. "I'm not going to take credit for the work. I think a lot of this work is really driven by the district."
According to Smith, FMC also worked with the Holyoke school system on its turnaround plan, which was approved. He also said that there are many similarities between the Holyoke and New Bedford plans.
Dr. Finnerty asked Smith if the turnaround plan would be ready for submission on April 2nd and without hesitation, Smith said, "Yes".
Question #1: Why did Mitchell give Francis 48 hours to resign if after Smith made his statements?
Question #2: Why did Mitchell ask for an extension when one wasn't unnecessary?
Does anyone have an idea how deep the axe will cut? As mentioned in another post, if the patheic principals at two of our middle schools stay, this will make the departure of Dr. Francis that much harder to bear.
Bonneau desperately wants to stay. What a travesty if that is permitted, given this so-called house cleaning. I wonder if the mayor even knows who Bonneau is and what terrible things she has done. He seems so fixated on Francis. Like she was the problem. Sure.
I am hoping that if the superintendent is removed from her post, that there will be other personnel scrutinized and possibly let go at the administration building...we need to separate the wheat from the chaff, and remove those who are not pulling their weight and yet, still earning six figures. Start with ** ******, for instance. At the last school committee meeting she gave a presentation regarding the "Where Are You Headed?" attendance program. The data given was skewed, and the fact that ** ****** has all of this time to put together colorful maps of New Bedford (which is nothing more than fluff). The special education programs in the city of NB are in such turmoil and need revamping...why aren't funds being spent for more lucrative ventures toward that end? Something else that makes you go HMMMMMM
I am writing this letter in support for Superintendent of New Bedford Schools, Dr. Mary Lou Francis, and all the teachers in our school system.
Dr. Francis has worked tirelessly during her 15 months at turning around our school district.
Remember, Dr. Francis took over the superintendence of the district after the former superintendent abruptly left the district in the middle of April 2010.
Just a point of note: the district’s newest Level 4 School, Hay-Mac, MCAS statistics was based on 2010 results and not 2011. Dr. Francis became the superintendent after most of the MCAS test was administered. In 2011 Hay-Mac’s MCAS test scores actually improved. What I find interesting is that the DESE, Department of Elementary Secondary Education, based the underperformance on MCAS 2010 instead of 2011. Why? I am sure most people remember the turmoil the school department was experiencing in the final days of Dr. Bonner. When Dr. Francis took over the position, she had to quickly rebuild bridges and bring a sense of normalcy to the district. Within a short period of time after assuming the role of superintendent, things started getting back on the right track. Within a short time after being appointed superintendent, Dr. Francis created the Superintendent’s Roundtable of which I am a member. She is the first superintendent the history of the departments to invite community organizations, non-profit organizations, government representatives, educators as well as individuals from the business community to attend meetings in which we are informed of on new initiatives, given update about the district, listen to presentations and are able to ask questions and make suggestions. Just recently the article appeared in the paper about the decrease of the dropout rate which is an improvement in a number of years. The school department’s dropout program under the direction of Bernadette Coelho is encouraging and working with students who plan on leaving school by finding them alternative choices to stay in school and obtain their high school diploma. Another new partnership in the works is with Bridgewater State University where they will be recruiting about 300 middle school students in a summer residence program. This program was brought before the School Committee in October 2010. The students will live on campus for a few weeks, be involved in academics and lessons in life skills. As part of the program, Bridgewater State University students will be involved in mentoring and teaching these students which will continue after the summer. Superintendent Francis favorably approved of the Environmental Science Curriculum of which I along with several others including two members of the U.S. EPA. The women from the U.S. EPA are involved in getting into the classrooms at the high school to share their expertise and knowledge in this field. These are just of the few new programs, ideas, and initiatives that have been set in place for our district. I am sure that are many items I have not mentioned. Thank you Dr. Francis for all that you do for the New Bedford Public Schools. Membrships (below) Superintendent of New Bedford Public Schools Educational Roundtable Superintendent of New Bedford Educational Environmental Curriculm Committee
Mr. Mayor, if you want to think of yourself as a deep thinker, look more deeply into the schools. I know you needed a scapegoat and you found one in Francis. But let's hope there is an ounce of intellectual integrity in your head and you actually want to improve the schools. Follow the principals! They set the tone in the schools. They determine whether the kids are safe and learning and whether the teachers feel unbullied and inspired to teach. Mr. Mayor, you can still rescue yourself. Try to honestly pursue the problems in New Bedford's educational system.
I concur with some of the previous comments. What is your play, Mitchell? Dismiss Francis and leave the destructive principals? If so, you are making a terrible mistake.
I believe in the power of one. It's only taken one man 2 months to create a crisis in our school system. This man's ego is destroying our city. I don't think he fully understands what he's doing because anyone with common sense can figure out that the negative attention he's casting on the cities schools is harming the city.
Anyone with money and the support of the political machine can get elected mayor even if they are totally unqualified or lack the intellectual maturity to do the job.
The political machine wants Francis out because she closed the hiring factory. There was a time not long ago when superintendents hired the cronies of the machine. That hasn't happened during Francis's watch so the machine is pissed and ready for revenge.
I agree about Bonneau. There are so many things wrong at Normandin right now. I still don't understand how she and her daughter can work in the same building. Who evaluates the daughter? A vice principal who answers to Bonneau? It's insane and everyone knows it. Whenever the daughter has a problem with a student or a colleague she just picks up the phone and calls mommy. Not exactly the kind of thing that boosts morale among the staff.
I absolutely agree with the posts on the blog and I have a suggestion. How about writing directly to the mayor? He stated he wanted to hear from people and even left self addressed envelopes for all to take. Inundate him with letters about the issues at Normandin and Roosevelt. Let him know how you feel and what these two women are doing! If he wants to get rid of ineffective leaders let's show him where they are.
Instead of writing a letter and sending it in the mail, e-mail him and cc other individuals like the school committtee unless you wsh to remain anonymous.
Flood him with messages. Today it is the superintendent, tomorrow it could be you. Why isn't he addressing all the crime in the city?
I know he is aware of the problems with the principal at Normandin. What he does with that information I don't know. But, as someone said before, if he lets Bonneau stay while Dr. Francis is forced out, he will have lost my support forever ( and I campaigned for the guy).
Why has Normandin allowed to be wrong for so long??? Some one being protected??? Not only does ******** dearest call ***** dearest when a student gives her trouble, but if any other teacher calls regarding a problem, the teacher is put on the line with comments such as, "Can't you control your students? You are having behavioral issues with students because your lesson is not interesting and that child is bored." If you speak out, complain , then the harassment begins. Why isnt ******** given the same treatment? AND... how ethical is this...******** is training for administration with ***** as evaluater/mentor? Does this mean ******** is being groomed to take over when ***** is done within the next year or so? Are all our elected officials deaf to all our complaints? Or, did they get a nice donation when they ran for office, so therefore they are deaf to these problems? The other blogger was correct in saying, get rid of those two women. Maybe Mitchell wants to get rid of Francis so he can replace her with Bonneau. Bonneau did apply for superintendent when Bonner was eventually hired. Can you picture her as super?
Mitchell can make up some of the political points he lost when he took on Dr. Francis, who is well liked and respected in the educational community. To do so, he must now take on Bonneau and Fernandes, who are not well liked and respected. If he doesn't, he he loses an important and vocal constituency. Unless he is being pulled by forces that are still friendly to these principals, my gut tells me he will make the right political decision. In other words, this is the only way he gets the teachers back on board.
I agree with the commenter who mentioned the way Mitchell can make this right. He can't sack Francis and leave people like Bonneau. Teachers wont accept that. And what about parents? You think their kids come home from school and complain about Francis? You should hear what the kids say about Bonneau to me as a teacher. You can bet theyre saying the same things to their parents. So Mitchell can't stop at Francis because everyone will be questioning his sanity and his commitment to our schools.
Dear Bonneau supporter, why don't you remove your head from deep within Bonneau's ass and maybe you can see what's going on. Get a clue. This is not opinion. It is a documented fact! Check the grievances. She is no supporter of teachers and my own students have told me how chaotic and at times afraid they were in that building because there was no order and no discipline!! Stop supporting a corrupt and ineffectual leader and start supporting our students.
If Lang had done something like this, people would've been screaming with torches and pitchforks. Why is Mitchell being allowed to get away with this and why is he doing this? Shady politics. Even some of his staunchest supporters are now ducking these conversations. Mitchell, the one term wonder.
To the previous commenter who suggested going elsewhere. Do you say the same thing about Mitchell bashers? Let's leave New Bedford. What about Obama bashers? Let's leave America. This is crazy. You can legitimately criticize a so-called leader because you want a better place to work, a better place for kids to learn. How about giving a real defense of Bonneau instead of saying we should just teach at a different school. The students of the North End don't have that choice!
Agree to disagree- the root of a lot of the problems within the middle schools is lack of structure, routine and discipline. Middle school students need these things now more than ever, letting them make choices and hope that they make the right ones is not the way to run the schools. Students need to know that they will fail as well as succeed in life. We as educators need to teach them to deal with both the good and the bad. Give them strategies to deal with failing or not making the team. Strategies to use what they know and are good at. There is still alot of good kids in this city who, you are right, do not have the choice where they go to school and why should their education be tarnished by schools where the moral is low. Where teachers feel that they are not supported or respected by administration. The students know, they are aware and it effects them as much as us. The turn around has to look at the individual schools and branch out from there. Not a job I want- but agree that something needs to be done.
33 comments:
During Monday's school committee meeting, Garrett Smith, a managing director at the District Management Council (DMC), a Boston-based consulting company, hired by the state to work with the district on its turnaround plan said, "the basic structure of the district's plan is sound: The four big strategic objectives and the handful of initiatives that fall under them will remain largely the same".
Smith went on to say, "We're really a facilitator: We're trying to bring ideas to the table," said Smith. "I'm not going to take credit for the work. I think a lot of this work is really driven by the district."
According to Smith, FMC also worked with the Holyoke school system on its turnaround plan, which was approved. He also said that there are many similarities between the Holyoke and New Bedford plans.
Dr. Finnerty asked Smith if the turnaround plan would be ready for submission on April 2nd and without hesitation, Smith said, "Yes".
Question #1: Why did Mitchell give Francis 48 hours to resign if after Smith made his statements?
Question #2: Why did Mitchell ask for an extension when one wasn't unnecessary?
So why is Mitchell
Is the Standard Times investigating whether or not Mitchell violated the law by going directly to the DESE and circumventing the superintendent?
Did Mitchell violate the open meeting law by cajoling votes behind closed doors?
Mitchell is trying to impress Mitchell.
Does anyone have an idea how deep the axe will cut? As mentioned in another post, if the patheic principals at two of our middle schools stay, this will make the departure of Dr. Francis that much harder to bear.
Bonneau desperately wants to stay. What a travesty if that is permitted, given this so-called house cleaning. I wonder if the mayor even knows who Bonneau is and what terrible things she has done. He seems so fixated on Francis. Like she was the problem. Sure.
I am hoping that if the superintendent is removed from her post, that there will be other personnel scrutinized and possibly let go at the administration building...we need to separate the wheat from the chaff, and remove those who are not pulling their weight and yet, still earning six figures. Start with ** ******, for instance. At the last school committee meeting she gave a presentation regarding the "Where Are You Headed?" attendance program. The data given was skewed, and the fact that ** ****** has all of this time to put together colorful maps of New Bedford (which is nothing more than fluff). The special education programs in the city of NB are in such turmoil and need revamping...why aren't funds being spent for more lucrative ventures toward that end? Something else that makes you go HMMMMMM
I am writing this letter in support for Superintendent of New Bedford Schools, Dr. Mary Lou Francis, and all the teachers in our school system.
Dr. Francis has worked tirelessly during her 15 months at turning around our school district.
Remember, Dr. Francis took over the superintendence of the district after the former superintendent abruptly left the district in the middle of April 2010.
Just a point of note: the district’s newest Level 4 School, Hay-Mac, MCAS statistics was based on 2010 results and not 2011.
Dr. Francis became the superintendent after most of the MCAS test was administered.
In 2011 Hay-Mac’s MCAS test scores actually improved.
What I find interesting is that the DESE, Department of Elementary Secondary Education, based the underperformance on MCAS 2010 instead of 2011. Why?
I am sure most people remember the turmoil the school department was experiencing in the final days of Dr. Bonner.
When Dr. Francis took over the position, she had to quickly rebuild bridges and bring a sense of normalcy to the district.
Within a short period of time after assuming the role of superintendent, things started getting back on the right track.
Within a short time after being appointed superintendent, Dr. Francis created the Superintendent’s Roundtable of which I am a member.
She is the first superintendent the history of the departments to invite community organizations, non-profit organizations, government representatives, educators as well as individuals from the business community to attend meetings in which we are informed of on new initiatives, given update about the district, listen to presentations and are able to ask questions and make suggestions.
Just recently the article appeared in the paper about the decrease of the dropout rate which is an improvement in a number of years.
The school department’s dropout program under the direction of Bernadette Coelho is encouraging and working with students who plan on leaving school by finding them alternative choices to stay in school and obtain their high school diploma.
Another new partnership in the works is with Bridgewater State University where they will be recruiting about 300 middle school students in a summer residence program.
This program was brought before the School Committee in October 2010. The students will live on campus for a few weeks, be involved in academics and lessons in life skills.
As part of the program, Bridgewater State University students will be involved in mentoring and teaching these students which will continue after the summer.
Superintendent Francis favorably approved of the Environmental Science Curriculum of which I along with several others including two members of the U.S. EPA.
The women from the U.S. EPA are involved in getting into the classrooms at the high school to share their expertise and knowledge in this field.
These are just of the few new programs, ideas, and initiatives that have been set in place for our district.
I am sure that are many items I have not mentioned.
Thank you Dr. Francis for all that you do for the New Bedford Public Schools.
Membrships (below)
Superintendent of New Bedford Public Schools Educational Roundtable
Superintendent of New Bedford Educational Environmental Curriculm Committee
Mr. Mayor, if you want to think of yourself as a deep thinker, look more deeply into the schools. I know you needed a scapegoat and you found one in Francis. But let's hope there is an ounce of intellectual integrity in your head and you actually want to improve the schools. Follow the principals! They set the tone in the schools. They determine whether the kids are safe and learning and whether the teachers feel unbullied and inspired to teach. Mr. Mayor, you can still rescue yourself. Try to honestly pursue the problems in New Bedford's educational system.
I concur with some of the previous comments. What is your play, Mitchell? Dismiss Francis and leave the destructive principals? If so, you are making a terrible mistake.
Bonneau must go!
Bonneau AND Fernandes. That's how you start fixing our schools.
I believe in the power of one. It's only taken one man 2 months to create a crisis in our school system. This man's ego is destroying our city. I don't think he fully understands what he's doing because anyone with common sense can figure out that the negative attention he's casting on the cities schools is harming the city.
Anyone with money and the support of the political machine can get elected mayor even if they are totally unqualified or lack the intellectual maturity to do the job.
When did firing a person with out cause become justifiable in New Bedford?
Who will be the mayor's next victim?
The political machine wants Francis out because she closed the hiring factory. There was a time not long ago when superintendents hired the cronies of the machine. That hasn't happened during Francis's watch so the machine is pissed and ready for revenge.
If Mitchell were any more transparent, we'd see right through him.
Someone should inventory how many jobs the mayor has given to his friends.
I agree about Bonneau. There are so many things wrong at Normandin right now. I still don't understand how she and her daughter can work in the same building. Who evaluates the daughter? A vice principal who answers to Bonneau? It's insane and everyone knows it. Whenever the daughter has a problem with a student or a colleague she just picks up the phone and calls mommy. Not exactly the kind of thing that boosts morale among the staff.
I absolutely agree with the posts on the blog and I have a suggestion. How about writing directly to the mayor? He stated he wanted to hear from people and even left self addressed envelopes for all to take. Inundate him with letters about the issues at Normandin and Roosevelt. Let him know how you feel and what these two women are doing! If he wants to get rid of ineffective leaders let's show him where they are.
Instead of writing a letter and sending it in the mail, e-mail him and cc other individuals like the school committtee unless you wsh to remain anonymous.
Flood him with messages. Today it is the superintendent, tomorrow it could be you. Why isn't he addressing all the crime in the city?
I know he is aware of the problems with the principal at Normandin. What he does with that information I don't know. But, as someone said before, if he lets Bonneau stay while Dr. Francis is forced out, he will have lost my support forever ( and I campaigned for the guy).
Why has Normandin allowed to be wrong for so long??? Some one being protected??? Not only does ******** dearest call ***** dearest when a student gives her trouble, but if any other teacher calls regarding a problem, the teacher is put on the line with comments such as, "Can't you control your students? You are having behavioral issues with students because your lesson is not interesting and that child is bored." If you speak out, complain , then the harassment begins. Why isnt ******** given the same treatment?
AND... how ethical is this...******** is training for administration with ***** as evaluater/mentor? Does this mean ******** is being groomed to take over when ***** is done within the next year or so? Are all our elected officials deaf to all our complaints? Or, did they get a nice donation when they ran for office, so therefore they are deaf to these problems? The other blogger was correct in saying, get rid of those two women.
Maybe Mitchell wants to get rid of Francis so he can replace her with Bonneau. Bonneau did apply for superintendent when Bonner was eventually hired. Can you picture her as super?
There is no way Bonneau will be promoted. Heck, she should be dismissed immediately. The nepotism stuff is really going to hit the fan.
Mitchell can make up some of the political points he lost when he took on Dr. Francis, who is well liked and respected in the educational community. To do so, he must now take on Bonneau and Fernandes, who are not well liked and respected. If he doesn't, he he loses an important and vocal constituency. Unless he is being pulled by forces that are still friendly to these principals, my gut tells me he will make the right political decision. In other words, this is the only way he gets the teachers back on board.
I agree with the commenter who mentioned the way Mitchell can make this right. He can't sack Francis and leave people like Bonneau. Teachers wont accept that. And what about parents? You think their kids come home from school and complain about Francis? You should hear what the kids say about Bonneau to me as a teacher. You can bet theyre saying the same things to their parents. So Mitchell can't stop at Francis because everyone will be questioning his sanity and his commitment to our schools.
Dear Bonneau Basher,
Stop hiding behind your computer, if you're so unhappy with the way things are run, go elsewhere.
Dear Bonneau supporter, why don't you remove your head from deep within Bonneau's ass and maybe you can see what's going on. Get a clue. This is not opinion. It is a documented fact! Check the grievances. She is no supporter of teachers and my own students have told me how chaotic and at times afraid they were in that building because there was no order and no discipline!! Stop supporting a corrupt and ineffectual leader and start supporting our students.
If Lang had done something like this, people would've been screaming with torches and pitchforks. Why is Mitchell being allowed to get away with this and why is he doing this? Shady politics. Even some of his staunchest supporters are now ducking these conversations. Mitchell, the one term wonder.
To the previous commenter who suggested going elsewhere. Do you say the same thing about Mitchell bashers? Let's leave New Bedford. What about Obama bashers? Let's leave America. This is crazy. You can legitimately criticize a so-called leader because you want a better place to work, a better place for kids to learn. How about giving a real defense of Bonneau instead of saying we should just teach at a different school. The students of the North End don't have that choice!
To the last comment: Who are you? Why aren't YOU identifying yourself?
Agree to disagree- the root of a lot of the problems within the middle schools is lack of structure, routine and discipline. Middle school students need these things now more than ever, letting them make choices and hope that they make the right ones is not the way to run the schools. Students need to know that they will fail as well as succeed in life. We as educators need to teach them to deal with both the good and the bad. Give them strategies to deal with failing or not making the team. Strategies to use what they know and are good at. There is still alot of good kids in this city who, you are right, do not have the choice where they go to school and why should their education be tarnished by schools where the moral is low. Where teachers feel that they are not supported or respected by administration. The students know, they are aware and it effects them as much as us. The turn around has to look at the individual schools and branch out from there. Not a job I want- but agree that something needs to be done.
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