I had written a comment to this blog on 2/9/14 imploring you to get involved with the crisis that is taking place within NBPS, and you have done just that. I hope that my little blog post had something to do with expediting your involvement but really, I am just thankful that some elected body sees the detriment that these ongoing, unresolved issues in NBPS could have to the long term interest of public appearance of the City of
In particular, I would like to thank councilors Brian Gomes and Steve Martins for sponsoring this motion. They are open minded and are at least willing to explore the problems and hopefully through a thorough process which includes all stakeholders, introduce possible resolutions. The councilors need to be aware that their focus should not be isolated to just NBHS as occurrences happen at all levels within the district some which not only involve students but include unruly parents that have disagreements with teachers and find they way into schools un-chaperoned only to confront teachers in hallways and/or classrooms in the presence of students.
10 comments:
When the SC begs for more money(as it seems they will be again) they just assume that it should be done. I'm glad the CC wants more knowledge before they continue to throw money they expect to reach the children that just never seems to "trickle down". I realize Pia likes to repeat the number of months she's been here(as if that is some type of excuse for no noticeable improvement yet), but when she has been given her way in every decision--at some point can't we all ask, "Exactly what have you done to improve the learning conditions for students?"
Let it be known to the City Council that Mayor Mitchell and SC knew test scores were on a downward slope and they chose to ignore it or bury their heads. The administrators at PRAB and NBHS also chose the same path. Now, Mitchell has Durkin to do the dirty work and clean up his mess after a string of unsuccessful superintendents. They are alienating and hurting teachers who are responsible for shaping impressionable minds. This turn-around plan will bring lots of federal funding into the district so it is less about teachers and students and more about money. City Councilors, it is time for an audit and to call a spade, a spade. Our leaders have failed all of us in so many capacities. What kind of mayor would allow the superintendent to mediate level 3 grievances? Isn't that the coward's way out and a conflict of interest? Their actions are incorrigible.
The wrong people are receiving their walking papers. If teachers were not living up to their expectations, administration should have intervened as it was their responsibility. Why must the whole school pay for others' mistakes? Teachers are willing to move mountains in support of this district and the students we care so much about. The door was slammed in our faces, including Lou's. I do not believe Durkin will back down. She has an agenda, protocol, and criteria that she must meet in compliance with DOE for federal funding. Previous monies lined the pockets of top-level administrators along with mismanagement of funds(will we ever know where and how the money was spent?) while NBHS went without necessary resources to provide, at the very least, an adequate education.
There is no guarantee that NBHS will get any money.... just ask Parker school.
I believe that the high school will get the grant because Mitchell Chester will do everything and anything to make Dr. Durkin look good.
Chester may not be very smart but he is very predictable.
Let's not forget that Chester did everything he could to make Francis look bad.
Don't forget M. Chester just approved MORE Charter Schools for Fall River...what a jerk.
Federal funding always accompanies turn-around plans and is a direct correlation to Career and College Readiness grants, Mass Core, and ESL. They want the money, so they will follow through with all their T's crossed and I's dotted. She strategically chose the "Fire 50% of the high school staff." Can you imagine how much pressure this alleviates from Chester and a state takeover? That would be a huge endeavor that they do not want. One dirty hand washes another.
I am a NBHS alum, former science educator with 30 years of experience, with some years in Brockton, and a property owner in the city of New Bedford. I have followed this year's many articles on the new Superintendent in multiple outlets. I find it deplorable that she chooses the most drastic means of improving the NBPS, one that has not been chosen by many other schools than English High School in Boston which had disastrous effects on its students. A colleague in the Boston Public Schools says they are still suffering from SPED changes Pia Durkin instituted when there. I am sure many had read the following article but thought I would post the URL as it details more information on Brockton and Boston and more eloquently than I could. http://edushyster.com/?p=4067#more-4067
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