Sunday, April 27, 2014

Where is the School Committee?

35 comments:

A disheartened NB educator said...

Hindsight is 20/20

Flashback to November 5, 2013 – that is the day teachers in the city learned that young Josh Amaral was elected to the New Bedford School committee. His platform: “embrace our teachers” in which he touted: “the teachers in NB are not the problem …they’re already being attacked on all sides and need our support as a community”.

Josh … we ask you now … has something drastically changed since you uttered those words? Have we, the teachers, suddenly become the crux of problems that continue to plague the NBPS? If so, is that the reason you have abandoned us? As you stated teachers (like Joanne Moura) ARE being attacked and have looked to you for support. Sadly, like the majority of school committee members and elected officials, you remain indifferent to the needs of students and staff. We, as educators, can only hope that your indifference does not result in tragedy within our schools.

Flashback once more to November 5, 2013 – I am rescinding my vote. I am not too proud to admit my mistake. I sincerely apologize to Maria Mojica-Mosquea and the children of NBPS for my misinformed decision. Please forgive me and accept my most humble apology.

Respectfully,

A disheartened NB educator

Eric P. said...

Josh could have been a leader but now he's nothing more than Mitchell's disciple.

Anonymous said...

Hibernating

Anonymous said...

Please forgive me for asking people to vote for Josh Amaral. I was hoodwinked. I apologize to Chris Cotter. He has spoken up for teachers as a member of the stakeholders group.

Anonymous said...

Wonder if Josh has been promised a job by the powers-to-be which is why he has abandoned us.

Anonymous said...

I believe Josh has tried to reinstate a discipline policy regarding cell phone use and its disciplinary action at the
last school committee meeting and was shot down by Pollock who said that it was already talked about. One can see he is trying but the veteran members outweigh him.

Anonymous said...

This School Committee is a disgrace and embarrassment. They don't deserve our respect and they surely have no respect for teachers or our profession. The School Committee is a battery-operated, remote controlled prop.

Anonymous said...

Can everyone see how desperate some of our faculty has become? To think, really think that a 20 year old spud was going to right one of the ship of fools was and is incredibly short-sighted. The entitled noble laureates are laughing themselves to death every time they think that faculty believed they elected the savior. Maybe Josh was hit over the head and dragged through the tunnels to serve upon a ship of fools. We'll hear from him in a couple of years from now when it is time for reelection. Aye, to the widow's peak we wait.

Anonymous said...

Drones...

Anonymous said...

Give Amaral a chance. At least 6 months to get his feet wet. We should be putting the pressure on Finnerty. He should be ashamed of himself. What a sell out. Let's get him out as well as the others. Amaral needs to become more vocal but there is hope with him.

Anonymous said...

Durkin's budget is asking for $4.6 million more than the state-mandated minimum...
...turnaround plans at the John Avery Parker Elementary School and New Bedford High School.

Of course it more than the state mandated minimum and CHESTER will gladly approve her request. Durkin is a master manipulator and she has plans for that money and it ain't about the students! She can create more top-level positions and offer jobs to those who will carry out her mission to seek and destroy. It's a sick, vicious cycle.

For each veteran teacher she eliminates, it equates to an approximate savings of $30,000.00 a year.

That's a lot of power and money at the disposal of a neurotic, unscrupulous, and vindictive superintendent. This is a dangerous and explosive combination.

Anonymous said...

I think it is clear that the SC have taken a vow of silence, at least for now. Im not sure how it happened but something took place, from state or city hall, where they were warned off public comment or off agenda policy involvement. Why is this a bad thing? It is actually understandable since, for the last 10 years, no single school committee member has made a meaningful contribution to success in the district.

The S Committee are responsible for Bonner and Francis, both of whom may have been mean/nice to the union but, far more importantly, were incapable of running a 1000 employee operation.

Remember that Feeney, Pollock and others were against Longo and favored the 2003 search committee 3 , all of whom have gone on to nefarious super buy outs elsewhere -a bullet dodged before we failed to dodge the Bonner buyout bullet.

This is not the teachers fault, they are the victims of the SC and mayoral mismanagement then and now.

All I'm saying is that there is no point looking for a school committee savior. It will never happen.

Anonymous said...

That is why the SC is known as puppets, but Marlene Pollack and Larry Finnerty are dirty players just like Mitchell and Durkin. No virtue... Dysfunctional leadership & dysfunctional organization ...Workplace Politics & Poor Performance

Anonymous said...

All I can see is thank God for this blog where dirty little secrets are revealed and shared. They can't pull the wool the over the eyes of our union and its teachers. That is a commendable quality and a testament to endurance!

Anonymous said...

Larry should be stripped of his pension..traitor..

Anonymous said...

Pollack=joke! Livermento= Joke! Money being wasted left and right! Does the Renaissance School ring any bells?! What a facade and a true waste of money !

Anonymous said...

Give Amaral a chance? That's what Pia was given.

Anonymous said...

Josh's feet wetting period was leading up to the election. Now that he is in a position of authority, use it to make a difference. If Josh can't handle the heat in the kitchen then get out. The stuff I hear coming from School Committee members border on the ridiculous. Embarrassing and incredulous. It is beyond belief that certain members believe their babble is actually productive.

Anonymous said...

Well said.

Anonymous said...

The citizens of New Bedford should not trust Durkin to do what is right for students with extra money. As a tax payer I am all ready appalled at the top heavy administrative plan for the high school. A high school that has far fewer students than it ever has.

Anonymous said...

I wish the union backed by the MTA would sure the school committee for dereliction of duty. They are the culprits. They have allowed the district mismanagement. They have let our children down.

Anonymous said...

I was desperate enough to leave. Wanted to ensure my health would improve. I have never felt better since I left. Time for people to wake up and take control of this situation. This pitiful excuse for a Superintendent is ruining lives. Work together, stay strong and keep pushing on with more than talk. NO ONE is safe in this school system.

Anonymous said...

Pia Durkin could light her hair on fire and run through the streets nude before the school committee gets rid of her! They will look like complete fools.

Anonymous said...

Rumor is the leading candidate to be Normandin's next principal is a Durkin clone from Fall River. My condolences to my friends there.

Anonymous said...

Hope it's not Coogan. She is a bipolar nut bag.

Anonymous said...

I have heard so many stories about her. What's the real reason she is leaving Fall River?

Anonymous said...

Coogan is bipolar . . . . . "kookie" Coogan perhaps!?! Can it get any worse?

Anonymous said...

Normandin's principal search committee has been told to start again!!

Anonymous said...

Coogan was booted out by the superintendent for unethical practices and erratic behavior. Unstable...

Anonymous said...

Pia hasn't shown the ability to make solid hiring selections. She moves them around like chess pieces. Hey! You! Yes, the one I hired to do X I'm gonna need you to try Y. Why? Well, because I need to hide you from those that might blame me for your incompetence.

Anonymous said...

Why oh why do we always get the leftovers in New Bedford? Can't someone who is intelligent and competent apply for these positions?

Anonymous said...

Who would want to come to NB? It is crazy here.

Anonymous said...

Pia is making a mockery of every educator in this city, and the mayor and school committee are turning the other cheek. It is a flat out disgrace the way the department is being run. I hope someone is in a position to say the phrase that everyone would love to hear on Friday.

Anonymous said...

Who would want to work in NB? Given what I'm witnessing during Pia's hiring practices; anyone who has worn out their welcome in another district, or those that have been thrown out, or their life is so miserable that they desperately need to get out. They see NB as their saving grace. Bottom line, someone who needs a paycheck. A hefty paycheck.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe Jack Nobrega is blaming Lou. Really! Jack needs to WAKE UP and smell the chaos!