Tuesday, November 26, 2013

I am a strong voice for our schools and stand with our hard working teachers ...By Steven Martins, City Councilor

I just wanted to clarify my position and the mistruths in the comments stated under “City Council sponsors motion regarding assaults”. When a motion is filed in our Chambers, just because the Councilors name is not attached with it, does not mean that Councilor does not support the motion. I plan to vote YES on the motion today (Tuesday, 11/26) and will always continue to be a strong voice for our schools and stand with our hard working teachers.

I strongly support having conversations with our school department in committee as the motion states, which I believe we need to continue to do more of. For the record, I have already been doing research on the issue and have received some data and had conversations with other administrators from other school districts to compare the numbers. I think it’s important to all the facts before us before those conversations are held. Furthermore, I will never accept any answer from any school or community official that points the finger to our teachers when my colleagues and I advocate on their behalf – it happens to often, it’s unacceptable and it’s a poor excuse.

I have a great relationship with Mr. St. John and continue to work closely with him and his board on communicating our positions on initiatives before us. It was this very Councilor that felt it was important to meet with the Union Board to have discussions about some of our votes and the reason behind it; and I will continue to do so as I believe our teachers need a seat at the table. In addition I have filed myself key motions to stand with our teachers, visited all our schools a handful of times and continue to speak to our young adults in the classroom. Our elected leaders need to do more of this.

I believe it’s important to continue to communicate with everyone about our role with the schools; it is why I work hard each day to meet and talk with everyone. The invitation is always there, to our teachers, parents and students. If anyone would ever like to talk or meet, please don’t hesitate to contact me at home and I would love the opportunity to do so. I believe that public servants should be accessible to the people they serve and it’s something I take very seriously.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  - Steven Martins, City Councilor

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great job Steve! Hopefully the teachers of New Bedford realize you are on their side and looking out for the best interests of our students and educators.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for clarifying your position on this matter. We look forward to the help from the City Council.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your support and recognition of the work our teacher's continue to do at NBHS-PEACE

Anonymous said...

Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thank you! We would appreciate the support!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you ! We appreciate your support !

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Steve. I was shocked and distraught when I read the article without your name on it. I feel much better now that you have clarified your stance. You are a former student of mine and I know you haven't forgotten the hard work and dedication that goes into being a good teacher. Keep listening to those people that got you prepared for where you are today. Stand PROUD, stand TALL, and stand WITH US!
Thank you, again.

Anonymous said...

Maybe someone in this blog can answer a few questions....Why does Pia Durkin have a high priced Boston lawyer working for her?...school system lawyer wasn't good enough for her?...Why hasn't a news program been notified of all the assaults taking place at the high school so the media can bring attention to the reality of what is going on in our school system?.....Our own principals that some of us have known for years are turning into people we don't recognize anymore. Not because they want to but because if they don't do what is being told to them to do, they run the risk of losing their job. Pia Durkin is standing back and waiting for her time to pounce on the poor principals that are left in this system that were not HER hire so she can replace them with robots that support her. She is making a mockery of our school system and our wonderful good for nothing school committee and mayor just sit around and agree with everything she does so they don't look like idiots for not being able to hire a suitable, capable superintendent. The news stations that do investigative reporters need to be made aware of what is going on in New Bedford. Pia Durkin has her high powered lawyers watching her backs and its about time we have our own high powered people watching ours. Does the community want a Columbine in our school system?....Does our mayor or school committee want to be responsible for, god forbid, an assault on a teacher that turns deadly? Do they even care about our welfare in these schools?....Our own mayor never sent his kids to public school until he ran for mayor. That says something about what he thinks about our schools. We all need to band together now more than ever. It will take time to get rid of the poison in our system but together, we can do it!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

It's time for teachers to fall out of line--too compliant for far too long.

Anonymous said...

Glad your on board, Steve. Just disappointed it took you so long.

Anonymous said...

She has her high priced lawyer cause she needs advice on scamming the public. Her lies are catching up to her.

Anonymous said...

Steve, I think you're doing a great job as a city councillor. We need someone who will stand up for our schools and more important for the people in them--students and teachers alike. Keep up the good work; we need more people who are not afraid to speak up!