Tuesday, August 14, 2012
New Bedford Innovation Schools Vote
Superintendent Michael Shea and Mayor John Mitchell voted in favor, while Lou St. John opposed the innovation schools proposal. St. John says teachers from Gomes Elementary School and Roosevelt Middle School expressed strong opposition to the innovation schools, based on unanswered questions about funding for the projects, and housing them within current public schools.
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The Road to Ruin….
http://whalingcitywatch.com/2012/08/14/the-road-to-ruin/
No doubt you’ve heard that the Innovation Schools Screening Committee voted to advance both of the proposals that are currently under consideration. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re another step closer to dismantling our school system.
It was great political theater. The meeting was well-attended by the UIA operatives. As an aside, every time I’m in a room with a large number of UIA members, I feel as if I’m at a cult meeting. All that’s missing is some Kool-Aid and Jim Jones.
Mayor Mitchell was fashionably late and seemed to yammer on forever. Was his position ever in doubt? The blab sheet on Elm Street wants innovation schools, so Mitchell wants them. The blab sheet opposed the city council raises and Mitchell apparently reneged on his deal. Will Mitchell ever put on his “big boy pants” and oppose the blab sheet? I doubt it. He needs to grow a pair.
The man who really impressed me was New Bedford Educators President Louis St. John. Mr. St. John, who bears a striking resemblance to actor Patrick Stewart, was the only one of the trio to vote “NO” in the face of intense political pressure. He presents very convincing arguments on how innovation schools could hurt the New Bedford Public Schools and its students. Mr. Shea’s remarks after the vote had a conciliatory tone. Mr. Shea conceded that Mr. St. John brought-up many valid points. It appears that Mr. Shea and Mr. St. John have a solid working relationship. That can only help the district.
There is a middle ground here. I’m willing to bet the NBEA and NBPS could implement many of the proposals within the existing framework of the district. However, Sister Marianna Sylvester and her UIA minions have adopted a my way or the highway approach. They are poor examples of Christianity. I will be equally critical of the NBEA if they fail to give thoughtful consideration of proposals to improve our schools.
During the regular school committee meeting, Marlene Pollock and Jack Livramento used the time for “reports” to disseminate more misinformation about innovation schools. I’m growing weary of their political diatribes. Every time I hear Pollack and Livramento speak, I’m reminded that the First Amendment gives everyone the right to sound like a jackass. They are the Edgar Bergen (Marlene) and Charlie McCarthy (Jack L.) of the New Bedford School Committee.
So where does this leave us? The school committee will turn “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” on these proposals in January. The teachers at Gomes and Roosevelt are going to have to make their voices heard. Do you want to compete for space and other resources with another school in your building? Do you want to teach larger classes? Are you willing to sign away your collective bargaining rights?
The fate of the school system could very well depend on the action or inaction of the Gomes and Roosevelt faculties.
I find it disturbing that 3 Gomes teachers are pushing the UIA anti teacher agenda. Why are they going up against all the other teachers at the school ? Why are they going up against their own union? Why do they press on when over 60 of us signed a petition saying we were against tearing up our school?
Did the UIA promise them career advancement in return for their betrayal of their colleagues? Will the ring leader now become the “most qualified candidate” to lead the school?
Do these teacher have any intergity?
I agree with the last post, if these people were really concerned about the welfare of the students, then they would have proposed a way to bring art, music, phys ed, and health back to ALL elementary schools, not just a few.... Get creative with schedules, use some of these available grants to fund positions that could be helpful to all schools. What they are proposing is just a euphemisim for segregation
Thank you Lou for voting against this crazy proposal and fighting for the teachers of the New Bedford Public Schools. You brought out many valid points after your vote such as financial cost, possible overburden of the regular school system, shared building, etc. What happens when the student gets tired of spending a longer time in school and bails out back to the regular school system, will the money follow that child? I bet it doesn't.
Keep up the good work.
As an educator of 38 years, I am disturbed by the false information and lack of true understanding exhibited by educators in these posted comments about Innovation Schools. I don't teach in New Bedford, and glad I don't. Don't say something until you know facts. What is exhibited here is fear. Change is always difficult. New Bedford Schools have been declared chronically under performing. If things don't turn around in some of your schools, many of you will be without jobs. I would think you would embrace new ideas to get your district out of this fix. And for heavens sakes, as teachers, check your spelling! This blog page even has spell check. Hmm, is there a relationship between teacher spelling and MCAS scores...?
^ eye know thinks use a teecher. I thinks yous Uia minion whose tryingg two attach da messenggers cause u no likes da messagge. Trough pooop.
To the 38 year educator that doesn't teach in New Bedford. Why don't you take your own advice and stop talking about things you know nothing about? You don't work in this district with our students so you have no clue. As for facts, there are a lot of teachers trying to effect change in their buildings but the powers that be are too busy trying to further their own political agendas and stroke their own egos. Great ideas have been shot down like a logical bill in Congress. Innovation schools have NOTHING to do with student improvement. They are all about breaking unions and favoring only certain individuals. Their fictional claim to be here for the children is a joke and a lie. And check your own facts. Spelling doesn't even count against you on the MCAS open response. The problems come from above, not below. If you truly are committed to the students of this district then put your money where your mouth is and come work for them! Check out the grassroots movement at the high school that was spear headed by the headmaster and a group of talented teachers that worked countless hours with no compensation. That initiative has resulted in a 12% increase in ELA proficient scores on MCAS. That's double the state's average for improvement. Yeah but you don't hear about that because the school committee doesn't actually give a sh*t and the Sub-standard Times doesn't think its newsworthy because its not negative. Check your facts! The stats are right on the district's website. The corruption by school officials is what is destroying this district; and that is an incontrovertible fact.
Where can we get the prospectuses? Can they be posted Lou?
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