Sunday, April 20, 2014

Share your thoughts

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bob Unger's, "Our View: Dysfunction threatens New Bedford schools" is on target. I couldn't agree more with Unger's statement. However, in my view, he must hold himself responsible for his part in what's being done to destroy our school system.

There is no doubt that his paper gave us Portia Bonner despite all her issues and lack of leadership skills. They wrote article after article of adoration and it wasn't until she was run out of town did they write anything resembling the truth about her inexperience and lack of skill.

There is no doubt that his paper, with the help of an easily manipulated Mayor, he played a key role in ousting Mary Louise Francis. Article after article was written to push her out. Her crime? She didn't kiss Bob's ring. He, and only he, knew what New Bedford schools needed for a leader. After all, Bob is the smartest guy in the room and he subbed in Vermont in the 70s. Surely those are impressive qualifications.

Now we are presented with Pia Durkin. A woman that the paper has been openly praising. They have ignored her history, previous scandals and her ability to get along with people. Yet, as long as she's sticking it to the teachers, she's wonderful. Just ask Steve Urban.

All in all, Pia Durkin has turned our school system into disarray under the leadership of Mayor Jon Mitchell and a bumbling school committee. But Bob Unger and his paper have played a major role in the destruction.

Bob, this will be your legacy.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that Boob Unger is a regular reader of this blog. Your "newspaper" and the demoted talk host on WBSM have demonized teachers and divided the city.

Anonymous said...

Teachers that have gone on to other districts report being recognized as the professionals they are. The flaws of leadership have decimated this district. If learning occurs best in a stress free environment, Pia has done very little to provide that essential piece. Our schools have toxic levels of stress. Her plans for next year offer no remedies for this situation. A summit on violence will not be enough. Her approach is off target for our students. She seems oblivious to the challenges our people face. Life is difficult here. Pia has made it much worse with little hope for next year.

Anonymous said...

I am also completely disgusted with the school committee. Their silence says it all. Shame on them. They chose to run and serve yet they do nothing to help bail this sinking ship.

Anonymous said...

Our local newspaper does not deserve respect from this community. They have helped to sweep important issues associated with our schools under the rug. If this is their way of being supportive we can do without their help.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Unger is definitely a major source of the problems.

Anonymous said...

^ Boob should have focused on improving the circulation and quality of his paper but instead he thought he'd run the city and schools. Big mistake! His paper is a mess, circulation is in the toilet, his employees view him as a fool, and he's harmed New Bedford. If his ego was in check he'd resign immediately.

Anonymous said...

I agree. The S-t is considered worthless by most of the community.

Anonymous said...

Bob's bosses should take notice of his incompetence. If they don't, it won't be long before the paper is out of business.

Anonymous said...

^ that would be a good thing

Anonymous said...

Unger, you are a very desperate man who feels a need to get in the action. What are your qualifications relating to public education? Zilch! You are a disgrace in your campaign of misinformation, fear, censorship, half-truths and lies.

Anonymous said...

The S-T prides itself on lies and propaganda.

Anonymous said...

The New Bedford School Committee is there to serve.......themselves. As public employees they may be removed by due process; start the process. Millions of dollars Lost????? Five Superintendents in six years; at what expense to the city, students, taxpayers, and certified, licensed teachers. School committee members might have a drivers license, so they have driven us into a ditch where we sit upside down and on fire. They have the authority and the responsibility to do right; they have NOT! HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!

Anonymous said...

The standard times is good for lining birdcages.

Anonymous said...

SC has nothing to fear. There are no consequences. Other communities would not tolerate this type of passive aggressive behavior.

Anonymous said...

Unger is a Neanderthal

Anonymous said...

We need more comments on this blog otherwise the local paper will not be able to go to press.

Anonymous said...

Mr Unger, go apply at the Star...they are looking for trash writers. I have huge family, they have all stop their subscriptions to the sub-standard times!

Anonymous said...

Perhaps Rev. Lima and the Interfaith Community could do something to change the focus to a more positive for kids direction than the toxic road to hell we are on now. They have not been silent when UMD has a white paper report criticizing NBPS; they have reacted with a voice of "concern". Where is their concern now? This might be the time for another prayer service of support for the community to express their concern and fear rather than waiting for a memorial service after something goes terribly wrong.

Anonymous said...

Only a handful of students will be attending NBHS next year.

Acushnet parents obviously don't agree with what Durkin is doing at our high school.

Durkin disagrees.

"It is only going to make our students excel more because it will give more support to our kids and fill the gaps so they can stretch and advance themselves as far as they need," she said.

"A lot of times the choice is more specific for parents and their individual child," she said.


My opinion, Durkin is full of it; smart people are wise to stay away from her control when ever she can. Too bad New Bedford students can't opt for Fairhaven too!

Anonymous said...

To the post above about Rev. Lima and the Interfaith Community and John Bullard with the Urban Initiative White Paper, I totally agree.

Why are these groups so quiet lately?

Why aren't they speaking out and writing letters for the editorial page regarding all the violence and abuse in our school by students against teachers and students on other students?

When are they going to show their support for the victims? If I recall, I believe they signed the full-page ad in support of Pia. Since she has taken over the helm, our schools have become battle zones. We go from one battle to another and the war continues to go on and on, however, there will be a lull in the action come the end of June to the beginning of September.

Anonymous said...

That was a good idea, a prayer service to lament the loss of so many potential NBHS students. Pia is right, with so many new supervisors, administrators, principals, and turnaround staff, and the smallest population of students there should be tremendous success! "Hey, look what my top heavy staff did! We brought the rigor to the last of the Whalers! Just as the discovery of oil ended whaling here, I will end the Whalers."

Anonymous said...

PRAB now stands for: ...Pia is a rancid..asinine ...browbeating bully.

Anonymous said...

How very sad. So few left who genuinely care about this district.

Anonymous said...

I love my kids, I think the NB teachers are one of hardest working bunch of educators! Always have been, but when you are put up against constant bullying, criticism and deceit from the administration-it wears you down! I easily put in a 10-12 hour day, each day, weekends.... so my kids succeed! How dare the administration tell me that I am not doing my job! Fools, over paid , over rated and crooked-just like the SC and the mayor!

Anonymous said...

This district is collapsing before our very eyes. There is such mistrust, lack of transparency, and loss of respect that can never be regained. Our foundation is a climate of fear.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, don't you mean so MANY left who genuinely cared about this district??

Anonymous said...

OOPs!..I gotcha now. sorry

Anonymous said...

Yes, which was the master plan.

Anonymous said...

Our children deserve better. Their test scores and whether or not they reach the magic 20 or 40 percent mean nothing in the journey of their life. What makes a difference is compassionate and consistent quality adults in their lives. When a New Bedford child leaves elementary school for the middle school, part of that elementary school travels with them and they know their elementary teachers and paras are there when and if they need them for help or encouragement or a loving kick to push harder. With the decimation of the NBPS culture we are losing the most important safety net of all - hope for a better life.

Anonymous said...

It’s important to realize that just because someone holds a position of leadership, doesn't necessarily mean they should. This is obviously the case here in NBPS.

A leader who lacks character or integrity will not endure the test of time. It doesn't matter how intelligent, affable, persuasive, or savvy a person is, if they are prone to rationalizing unethical behavior based upon current or future needs, they will eventually fall prey to their own undoing. Optics over ethics is not a formula for success.

Anonymous said...

If a leader doesn't understand the concept of “service above self” they will not engender the trust, confidence, and loyalty of those they lead. Any leader is only as good as his or her team’s desire to be led by them. An over abundance of ego, pride, and arrogance are not positive leadership traits. Real leaders take the blame and give the credit – not the other way around. Long story short; if a leader receives a vote of non-confidence from their subordinates…game over.

Anonymous said...

50 Bad Leadership Examples

Belittling and condescending communication to staff.
Little communication with your staff.
Not empowering your staff to succeed.
Asking them a hundred questions with every decision they make.
Not admitting when you have made a mistake.
Not giving raises to your staff or not compensating them appropriately.
Not recognizing your staff for achievements they have made.
Ignoring your staff.
Not providing executive level sponsorship for your management.
Not providing management with the authority to perform their jobs.
Not providing the resources to your management staff in completing their objectives.
Yelling at your staff.
Forgetting common occasions. (Your staff gives you a Birthday/Christmas card or gift and you never do the same for them.)
Using threats with your staff.
Making your staff feel guilty if they do not do something extra.
Using fear tactics to “motivate” your staff.
Always having to throw in your 2 cents to every idea your staff offers.
Playing favorites with your staff.
Doing things that are self-serving.
Incompetent in something critical to the organizations success and unable to improve or fill in that incompetence with other staff members.
Lying to your staff—and then trying to cover it up.
Making “examples” of a staff member in front of others.
Disregarding the health and welfare of your staff.
Not providing your staff the training to succeed.
Not providing your staff opportunities to progress and grow.
Being callous.
Being unforgiving of staff mistakes.
Holding past mistakes against your staff time after time.
Not giving your staff adequate working environments.
Analysis Paralysis – i.e. indecisiveness.
Ignoring needed change.
Being cheap.
Not planning.
Not setting a clear vision.
Being a poor example of execution and accountability, but expecting others to execute.
Butting into your staff’s responsibilities by doing things under their role without consulting with them.
Not providing structure in your organization.
Unwillingness to take risks.
Poor management of oneself.
Deceitful.
Impulsiveness.
Unable to take criticism.
Unwilling to improve from criticism.
Unethical business practices.
Does not use conflict to correctly drive innovation.
Believing your staff when they sing praises for you and then forming an ego.
Misinterpreting signs.
Disrespect for your staff.
Unable to trust.
Overly negative or overly positive. (Overly positive meaning, ignoring bad signs and taking action, because you are so positive and hopeful that things will improve.)

Anonymous said...

"There is no doubt that his paper, with the help of an easily manipulated Mayor, he played a key role in ousting Mary Louise Francis...Her crime? She didn't kiss Bob's ring."

Mary Louise had plenty of crimes. She wins the award for being the biggest bully and not to mention the biggest puppet for Scott Lang. He chose her as the Supt. and ran this system right into a ditch. Morale was at an all time low. Say what you want about the Mayor - but he did the entire district a HUGE FAVOR by getting rid of the psychotic Mary Louise!

Anonymous said...

If you think morale was at an all time low under Francis you must have retired long ago.

Anonymous said...

We have had a string of bad superintendents and each of them are guilty of corruption. Who is the lesser of all the evils? They were/are all rotten apples with their own agendas and power trips.

Anonymous said...

One good deed by the mayor does not make up for all his other failures. He is a disgrace.

Anonymous said...

^ I would say that durkin takes the cake. Oh, what a lucrative deal she has with Chester. The mayor sure can keep a secret!

Anonymous said...

Maybe I'm stupid, but I don't know what DEAL Durkin has with anybody. Can someone please let us in on what the heck deals are going down??

Anonymous said...

Anything new about the schedules for next year? I hear theyre going to be awful!

Anonymous said...

kids are already noticing what's going on with their teachers. Many have commented to me that they will not be surprised if the dropout rate goes up next year. Its inevitable. You will have a school full of teachers who don't know their kids and are not invested in their graduation outcome. The kids won't know the teachers. That is a recipe for disaster

Anonymous said...

Schedules will be rigorous and robust, but who will be left to implement them? Durkin has a bad reputation. Our district is tainted. Thank you very much Mr. Mayor and SC. We are greatly indebted to you. You served us well...to honor and protect...

Anonymous said...

I hear some of the scheduling changes are major and need to be negotiated. Lou, can you please tell us what is going on?

Anonymous said...

what happened to the student teachers at Pacheco?
did they leave, quit or were they pulled from the program for safety concerns?

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love it? Global Learning ranked 31st and on probation. No comment from the DESE. What a ship of fools.

Anonymous said...

It sure does make the DESE and their school rankings look deeply flawed. We are dismantling our city schools based on the leadership of DESE drones. Dr. Durkin's entire philosophy is driven by data from unreliable sources. GAME OVER PIA...no Bonus round....no extra coins....

Anonymous said...

The student teachers at Pacheco left because of the lack of leadership and the dangerous conditions. Durkin has put this district in hell-where she belongs. God,I miss Marcia ! This principal is a fool!