I'm not a teacher but I've been following this story and I just heard Lou St. John on the radio. I think you need to find an alternate way besides the radio and newspaper to get your information out.
They're trying to twist everything to serve their conservative agenda. This isn't a conservative community. It's still mostly democrats and/or liberals. I'm sure you have the support of the people here who understand what is happening. But in case they don't know what's going on, perhaps you should post more frequently on this blog with specific information so that the community at large won't have to depend on these biased sources to find out what is going on with the machinations of this current administration.
It's not over 'til it's over.
35 comments:
This is a fantastic post. You give me hope! Our public schools are essential to our democracy. The conservative/ reform/profit seeking agenda must be met with strong opposition in this blue collar city.
Mayor Mitchell is on the radio criticizing the teachers union.
Please Note
from City Councilor agenda:
13. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Martins, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods meet with any teachers from New Bedford High School, or the three Middle Schools in the City for the purposes of discussing exactly what is going on in our schools, exactly how significant is the disruptive behavior and violence against students and teachers; and further, that the Committee also set up a meeting with the students for the purposes of getting their input on exactly what is their perspective on what is going on in our schools; and further, that Lou St. John, President, New Bedford Educator’s Association, also be invited to attend said meeting; and further, that these meetings be held in Executive Session for the purposes of protecting teachers and students who feel that they want to come forth and be heard on the issue, and to protect them from retaliation for their comments or statements made on the issue of disruptive behavior and violence in our schools or any other issues that may pertain to the safety of the children and teachers in the City of New Bedford Public School system.
Do they think our elementary schools are disruption free and/or violence free? Just in the last 3 years, I have had 2 students bring in pocket knives.
^I would attend and let them know. Elementary, middle or high school what does it matter, disruptive behavior and other issues happen in all our schools.
Before he was elected, Bruce Olievera was a strong union man. What happened? Did he sell his soul to Jon Mitchell?
At Monday night's school committee meeting Jon Mitchell referred to the audience as the peanut gallery. He's such a class act.
I started listening to Phil P. on the radio today. It made me sick when he started off his show by giving today's S-T editorial a "two thumbs" up. It didn't end there - he was incredibly rude to Lou St. John when he called in. He blamed Lou for creating the situation that is being experienced by teachers in New Bedford, called him a liar - the attack was venomous. I turned it off - if anyone else heard Phil's show - please comment. Lou is being crucified...not only by the media, but also by the mayor. Paleologos was the one who drove in the first nail....followed by Steve Urbon, Mitchell, the School Committee. When is this going to end?
Let's start listing the names of the businesses that sponsor his show. These local business are well aware of the venomous attacks WBSM's talk show with Phil are directing towards "ALL" of the teachers in NBPS. Anyone and everyone you speak to in this area have heard of whats going on in NBPS. If they continue to sponsor his show I will choose not to patronize their business. I heard a lengthy live advertisement today for CARE FREE HOMES.
I wanted to reach into the radio and slap Phil. It's his way or no way. Then there was the butt kissing love fest with Mitchell. Guess Phil's really grateful for his daughter's job at the health department not to mention the fact that he doesn't get hounded to pay the taxes that he owes. I'm just so tired of everyone being an expert on things they know nothing about!
The union should not be criticized. It is not all of those teachers that are causing issues. What the anti-Durkins fail to do, is respect the or even hear the other side of the argument. Mr. St. John filters what information get's to you, and since becoming a level 4 school, the negative attributes of NBHS which have been there the whole time, are drawing negative attention to the school. People are now just noticing problems which have been in the school for ages, yet somehow they find it easy to blame the superintendent who has been here for only 5 months.
The audience was being disruptive, and had not signed up for public comment. They have an official meeting to run, and it is quite absurd be interrupted by a random attendee.
Lou is on the side of right. That gives him all the strength he needs to confront our disingenuous media.
I despise Puxaphoney Phil.
Phil attacks any caller who questions anything against his views regarding education. He attacked a gentlemen last night for no good reason. Anytime Lou tries to explain, Phil diverts away from the subject. Today was just another attempt to instigate. I'm sure people see through it. His only purpose is to stir the pot. It really isn't worth responding to him.
Jon Mitchell got called out on the peanut gallery comment tonight on wbsm by a caller
Go Phil
I want to start out by saying I sympathize with all of the staff at NBHS . Poor building leadership has gotten you to this point and that's sad. The term "climate of fear"has been used over and over and while I get that it's time to create a "climate of hope". This whole process has been so disruptive to staff, students, families, and the high schools reputation that there is no where to go but up. The state will not take over the system. It seems like they are running the show now using New Bedford as a type of Ed reform experiment. This also is not a "conservative or liberal" issue as the original poster mentioned. Both parties have sold out the education system to private interests. Until this union and unions across the commonwealth stand united and refuse to endorse and donate to any candidate from both major parties then you will get more of the same.
Hang in there Lou. Remember this is what happened to MLK when he tried to support the working man. When admin uses unfair labor practices, breaks a contract, and then the same culprits deny all grievances (with a weak SC)...what decent human being would stay silent? Maybe it's time for more Malcolm X and less MLK?
In response to the "Go Phil" comment above: Yes Phil, please just GO. Your radio show is one of the most boring, ridiculous pieces of so-called media journalism that I have ever encountered. Not to mention that you are a laughable joke, for which your hideous and creepy laugh does not suffice.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the NBEA, I can wholeheartedly assure all of our members that Lou St. John has been transparent with all correspondence and other information disseminated, and that he has been forthcoming with any so-called "agendas" he may have for the NBPS system. Perhaps people like Ms. Costa who are coming out strong attacking our fellow union members should remember that she herself is a member of the Board of Directors, and that she should attend more meetings (or any meetings for that matter) to find out what is really going on with Dr. Durkin and her agendas.
These attacks on Lou are absurd. Even if he was filtering the information that he passes on to NBEA, the teachers are in the trenches. They are seeing first-hand what is really going on in the schools;they are on the business end of the directives and mandates now being implemented as part of the turnaround model. That comment only goes to show how little respect some individuals have for our educators- as if they are merely sheep, not capable of independent, intelligent thought. A while back, someone posted "I AM NOT A LEMMING!" Seems that post would be appropriate here.
As the VP of Unit A, I am writing to support Lou and the decisions he has made on behalf of our members.
Lou doesn't make snap judgements. He always consults the officers, members of the Board, and if necessary, appropriate personnel at MTA. I know him to be an honest person who cares deeply about New Bedford's students and teachers.
The attacks leveled on him by the afternoon talk host and the pseudo-journalists at the ST are meant to divide us. The rally and candlelight vigil are challenging the education agenda laid out by the cocktail party elite and their media sycophants.
WE MUST STAY UNITED.
I am proud that Lou St. John is my colleague and friend. We are lucky to have him as our leader.
Steve Urbon and the S-T are conservative? Don't make me laugh. All of the "liberals" in this area, continue to elect the same people over and over again. Then you blame the bogeyman "conservatives" who basically don't exist in this area.If you want to blame anyone blame the nanny state that has allowed the layabouts and leeches of society to make NB their home. Great Society has killed education.
Well we see what the mayor thinks of the people who care enough to attend the school committee meetings Saying we are in the PEANUT GALLERY !!! Shame on him. He owes us an apology ....
Can't believe that our mayor said "we don't take comments from the peanut gallery!" I guess he considers everyone who attends the School Committee meeting members of the peanut gallery. If that is the case, then he is Clarabel the Clown, Pia is Buffalo Bob, Marlene is Princess Summer Fall Winter Spring, Livramento is Flub-a-Dud, and the rest of them are the other characters. Seems like everything Buffalo Bob want the jokers give her.
“The Discriminating Shopping Teacher” wants you to take the pledge:
As a teacher in NBPS, I WILL NOT patronize any local business that continues to sponsor through advertisement the WBSM Phil Paleologos show. His venomous attacks on the NBPS teachers are deliberate and without merit.
As a teacher in NBPS I WILL recommend to my family and friends to do the same.
As a teacher in NBPS I WILL patronize only local businesses that support and value the work I and my colleagues do to educate the children of New Bedford.
How will we live w/o the octopus stew from The Butcher Shop? Phil wasn't even aware of it but he's still pretending he shops there.
It was amazing the degree to which PP tried to divert the topic when Lou made a point
Do not be naïve. Name one conservative involved in the legislation that allows our current situation.
I was at Walgreen's in the North End the other day. Every month they collect for various charities like Veterans, Ronald Mc Donald House, etc. As a family, we always donate. This month is Gifts to Give. After reading James' article and his lack of support for our public school system, we declined and told the clerk why. It felt good to make sure that our money is put to good use. We are instead donating some supplies to a family in my school building.
You can't blame the conservatives/republicans for this mess. It's time to look at what politicians are about and stop voting based solely on a particular party and whether candidates have a D or R beside their name...despite what the MTA may tell you.
Sure I doubt the CEO of giftstogive and his City on a Hill buds are Democrats. I dont need the MTA to tell me who is on the side of the worker in America...there's so few left because people like Phil have turned them against eachother and their own best interests. Phil is a proud conservative and an example of why people of NB should NOT vote for people that believe what he does.
Phil is demonstrating how ignorant he is by giving the sub-standard times his thumbs up! Any person that can take this fool seriously, is a fool themselves. I am not a teacher , I am a hard working parent with 3 children in this system. He knows nothing about what the teachers have to deal with day in and day out.
The mayor must be afraid of the teacher's union because he is always criticizing them. That is one sure sign of the inferior self worth he must truly feel for himself. As with other bullies, mitchell will not face his target one on one, he has to have his cronies back him up. Pitiful, weak man.
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