Saturday, September 15, 2012

An Email Conversation with Lew White, Supporter of the Gomes Innovation School

      • Lew White Curious. One might assume information on a site sponsored by an "Educators Association" would contain logical arguments based on facts certain, but such is not the case. I guess that's why "NBEA makes no representations as to accuracy of the posts" and allows anonymous posts. This particular post uses misrepresentations like they "DO NOT take in ALL students" when the prospectus specifically states it is based on a lottery system where the students (not the school) can opt out. Another favorite tactic, usually used when you cannot win on the facts, is attacking the proponents and not the proposal; it's seem to me kind of funny that an argument based on self-interest of the proponents comes from a site (whalingcitywatch.com) that does not provide any information on their web page about who own, sponsors, and edits the site. Or is this like a SuperPAC ?
      • Bill Lacey There's no reason to label the NBEA Blog as curious, Mr. White. It permits open discussion among people who find lasting, inherent value in the First Article of the Bill of Rights, similar to the freedoms you enjoy as publisher at Amerazor, your publishing company. That being said, as long as you have played the first card in this version of Texas Hold'em, let me play my hand...
      • Bill Lacey The prospectuses delivered to the New Bedford School Committee by the proponents of the Esperanza School and the Renaissance School for the Arts, regardless of the manner in which children are selected, still seek to operate a "separate but unequal" system of education based on stated inequities that provide for their students to receive more "benefits" even as students within the same environment must absorb those inequities in the form of overcrowding, less access to specialist environs and an eventual overburdening of their schools resources by students who return to the non-Innovation classroom post October 1.
      • Bill Lacey But as you cite the need for facts, let me agree that you and the citizenry are, indeed, entitled to facts. Here are basic understandings associated with both Innovation schools: These schools, if and when they are accepted by the sitting School Committee, are not subject to a decrease in staffing as is every other public school in New Bedford making them indestructible by RIF standards. Unlike the other schools in our system they are not subject to the standard practice of hiring based on criteria agreed upon by New Bedford's teaching force and those elected as overseers. Interestingly enough, it also appears that they are prepared to operate with an administrative staff that has no experience in the day-to-day, real world understanding of school administration, making them ripe for failures of procedure that would require our schools system's infrastructure to repair.
      • Bill Lacey All that being said, Mr. White, I still had a nagging question burning in my head... That being why a resident of Teaticket, Massachusetts would have such a keen interest in the going's on of a school system so far removed from your own place of residence. But, I believe I have managed to answer my own question with a few brief moments spent on Ancestry.com Perhaps, Mr. White, your interest in the Renaissance School is a "relative" matter... having its own "self interest" built in...
      • Chuck Lapre Hey Lew: You made today's Whaling City Watch. Now you're a real celebrity. http://whalingcitywatch.com/
        whalingcitywatch.com
        This blog is made possible by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
      • Louis St John Questions for Lew: Why didn't you disclose your affiliation with the proposed Gomes Innovation School in your letter?

        Why didn't you disclose that you are listed in the prospectus
        ?

        Why didn't you disclose that you are related to the teacher who wrote the prospectus and is listed as the "anticipated principal" of the school.

        According to the prospectus you live in New Bedford, but on your Facebook page you live in Teaticket, which is it?

        Why are the Gomes School teachers being denied the opportunity to vote on the issue?

        Curious.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Full Spin Control…
http://whalingcitywatch.com/2012/09/15/full-spin-control/

Whaling City Watch realizes we’ve written many posts about school department issues.  Quite frankly, there are many items that warrant our attention.

It appears that the snake oil salesmen who seek to bring Innovation Schools to New Bedford are on the run.  They are in full spin control mode.

“Moscow” Marlene Pollock was on WBSM’s Taylor Cormier Program earlier today with her usual rant of lies and distortions.  Later in the hour, all of her arguments were obliterated by NBEA President Lou St. John.  One of the things that WCW finds disturbing about Pollock is that her notions of Democracy differ with the one articulated by our Founding Fathers.  Pollock and her UIA cronies have deprived the teachers at Gomes and Roosevelt of the opportunity to vote on whether they want an Innovation School in their respective buildings.  Perhaps Marlene and her cronies would be more comfortable in the Communist paradise of Cuba.  It’s only 90 miles off the Florida coast.

Then we have Mr. Lew White.  You probably have never heard of him.  Mr. White, a resident of Teaticket Massachusetts, has taken an active interest in the Innovation Schools controversy.  He has attempted to publish derogatory comments questioning the integrity of this blog.  Mr. White omits that he is the stepfather of ******** *****, the anticipated principal of the Renaissance Community School of the Arts.  Yes, the same Ms. ***** that has betrayed her colleagues at the A.J.Gomes Elementary School.  We’re glad that *** and Lew seem to have a great relationship, but Ms. ***** is an adult.  We would think she would be able to fight her own battles.

Whaling City Watch abhors ant-democratic individuals that sell out children and co-workers to further their own careers.  Are you feeling the heat, ***?  We promise that it’s going to get a lot hotter for you, Marlene, Jack, and the carpetbaggers from the proposed Esperanza School.

And we all know the old saying.  “If you can’t stand the heat…..”

Anonymous said...

I heard Marlene do her spin on the radio today. It was nauseating.

Anonymous said...

Great job fellow NBPS supporters, I love when these political cronies who want to steal our NB children's resources get caught in half truths and lies. These innovation schools will further destroy our school system, look what the failing Charter Schools have done all ready! Go back to Teaticket!

Anonymous said...

It seems that Lew White has his own agenda. Don't worry Lew, Pollock will make sure your step daughter becomes the principal of that school.

Anonymous said...

Marlene Pollock has become the new hiring machine of the school committee. Great job. We're all so impressed by the way you sold your soul.

Anonymous said...

Teacher unite, dump pollock.

Anonymous said...

I can't blame Lew for wanting the school department to create a job for his step daughter, ***. After all she'll have her principals license next year, it's only fitting that a school is being built for her to lead. Isn't that the way political machines work, Marlene?

Anonymous said...

I find it hard to believe that Lew would do this on his own, perhaps with the help of the "principals" mom? Thinking about it everyone could end up with a job!

Anonymous said...

Where the hell is the Principal regarding this matter? Oh wait she and others named in this matter are all friends!

Anonymous said...

Pollack seems to forget her affilaition with BCC and how she will benefit from some of these innovation schools.... recuse yourself Marlene or find the voters answering the call.... oh wait, they already are talking to friends and family. Expect more than one door slammed in your face this time around Marlene!

Anonymous said...

First of all the principal cannot speak publicly on this matter, so get your facts straight.i know she is doing what is best for Gomes School, the community, its students and staff. I work at gomes and what worries me is hard working individuals losing thier jobs. We should focus on improving the whole school for all students, and not just a chosen few.

Anonymous said...

I think it is very professional of the principal keeping opinions not public. I am sure the principal wants what is best for the entire school. Not just a chosen few. Innovation, charter, sounds all the same to me. A big waste of time and money.

Anonymous said...

I wish we had more people with brains to take on these proposals instead of the brigade of personal attackers.

Anonymous said...

Bad Lew, bad, bad, bad.

Anonymous said...

It's all crap! Sorry to be so frank but that's what this all is...CRAP!