Saturday, September 8, 2012

Tom Clark Resigns from the School Committee - by Bill Lacey

Teachers in the New Bedford Public Schools would be wise to note the resignation today of school committeeman, Atty. Tom Clark. Clark announced he must step down from his elected position due to accepting a job as Massachusetts’ National Guard counter-drug coordinator. He must accept the position as a full-time serviceman and that, it seems, precludes him from holding elected office. What troubles me is the void that will be left by Atty. Clark’s departure at a time when our system desperately needs people who come to the table without a personal agenda. Tom has always been a staunch supporter of our school system and has repeatedly stated that he believes our teaching force is the best answer to those issues that affect performance, best practice and proven result. In the latest flap o
ver the dismissal of former superintendent of schools, Dr. Mary Louise Francis, Atty. Clark was the only member of the school committee who chose to vote against going into closed session (read: Super Secret, Cone of Silence, Career-killing Mode) to do their dirty business. It’s not the first time Tom bucked business-as-usual, but it will be recorded as his last, it seems.

Now comes the ultimate question: Who will fill Tom’s vacancy and by what means? As I see it, there are two, possibly three, avenues this process can take. The first is the most straight-forward and direct method of replacement- that being the filling of the seat with the school committee candidate who fell short of election in the most recent New Bedford electoral process of 2011. That candidate is none other than Jill Ussach. Her fourth place finish behind Marlene Pollock, Jack Livramento and Atty. Clark would, to the traditionalist, seem necessary. However, when Sheriff David Nelson left his post abruptly many years ago, he was permitted to name his own successor. That’s how Tom Hodgson became Top Gun.

I would advise my colleagues to stay vigilant where this matter is concerned. As of this evening’s writing, we are still in negotiations for an important contract, now with a mayor who has shown himself to be no friend of our Association. Now, when an assault on our collective bargaining rights are being tested through the process of vetting the possibility of Innovation Schools setting up business within our existent framework. Now, as we move towards a new state-mandated Evaluation Tool. Now, as our district begins the process of moving away from Level 4 designation.

Know this: the time approaches when you will be required to accept that fate handed to you or make your own…

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Goodbye Tom…
http://whalingcitywatch.com/2012/09/08/goodbye-tom/

It had to have been one of the worst kept secrets in New Bedford’s political history. For weeks, the rumors were swirling that School Committee member Tom Clark’s resignation was imminent. Mr. Clark submitted letters yesterday to Superintendent Shea and the city clerk’s office. Clark’s last official day on the New Bedford School Committee is today.

During his tenure on the School Committee, Attorney Clark consistently put the best interests of the New Bedford Public Schools, its students, and staff above political concerns. He did not cater to the Education Roundtable, UIA, and all the other whack jobs that seek to destroy the district and privatize our schools. Too bad his soon to be former colleagues on the School Committee didn’t follow his example.

When Clark returned from his Massachusetts Army National Guard deployment to Afghanistan, he could have run for mayor and handily defeated all other challengers. Instead, he put his family first. Mr. Clark is worthy of our respect and admiration. Whaling City Watch wishes him well and we thank him for his service to our city and the country.

Tomorrow: Vacancy…

Anonymous said...

Tom will be missed. He's the most intelligent person on the committee

Anonymous said...

I must be thinking of another Tom.

Anonymous said...

Think of Bob Unger in a country farmer get up, piece of straw in mouth, pointing to a pig poke, saying "I got a blue ribbon winning hog to sell you"

Anonymous said...

Vacancy…
by whalingcitywatch

Wanted: One person to serve on the New Bedford School Committee until the next municipal election in November of 2013.  You should possess the ability to work with your colleagues, parents, teachers, and district administrators.  Prerequisites include that you must be a New Bedford resident, the ability to put the interests of the New Bedford Public Schools above politics, and knowledge of the system.  You should direct letters of intent and resumes to Mr. Johnathan Mitchell, Mayor, New Bedford City Hall, 133 William Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740.

The Mayor, School Committee, and City Council will be charged with the task of filling a vacancy on the New Bedford School Committee.  As there will be many pressing issues before the School Committee within the next year, Whaling City Watch believes that this will be a critical decision.  We are thankful that the City Council will be involved in the process as some School Committee members, especially Marlene Pollock and Jack Livramento, are obsessed with promoting the UIA's misguided education agenda.

Who are the potential candidates?  Jill "Useless" Ussach immediately comes to mind.  She placed fourth in the last election and has been circling School Committee meetings like a vulture.  Her tenure on the committee was filled with double speak and political posturing.  Although Mrs. Ussach has reportedly told WBSM's Taylor Cormier that she isn't interested in this position, her actions indicate otherwise.  Whaling City Watch believes Jill needs to stay over at the Global Learning Public Charter School where she serves on the Board of Trustees.  By the way, Mrs. Ussach is listed as an "Educational Specialist."  What are her credentials?  Qualifications aren't too important over at the GLPCs anyway.  "Dr" Stephen Furtado sets the tone over there with his phony doctorate from an on-line diploma mill.

Another former School Committee person, Nancy Feeney, has indicated she's interested.  Whaling City Watch doesn't have a good impression of her.  She appears to be a gossip and bum kisser who would add little to no expertise to the committee.

Bruce Oliveira, chairman of the New Bedford Housing Authority's board, also reportedly wants the job.  Sources tell Whaling City Watch that he's Mayor Mitchell's pick.

Whaling City Watch believes Mr. Eddie Johnson is the ideal candidate to fill the vacancy.  Mr. Johnson knows the issues our district faces and has an institutional knowledge of the players.  Through his community involvement and service on the Superintendent's Roundtable, Mr. Johnson has proven that he is capable of working with diverse personalities and interests to reach a common goal.  Eddie's selection would also give the School Committee a true minority perspective.  Mr. Livramento has been a major disappointment in this regard.  He merely parrots the thoughts of the UIA and Marlene Pollock.

Whaling City Watch endorses the selection of Eddie Johnson to serve on the School Committee.  We urge the members of the City Council and School Committee to nominate and select him.  The New Bedford Public Schools needs his vision and leadership to continue to move forward.

Anonymous said...

we need our memebrs to show themselves at the school committee meeting tomorrow night. Sned a message that we want our contract- a fair one MR. MAYOR!