Friday, May 9, 2014

Bravo to the 41+ percent of the NBEA teachers who chose not to vote for the no-confidence motion ... By Carolee Matsumoto

Bravo to Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin! In 10 short months, she has put New Bedford on the track to becoming a great school district. At last, we have a superintendent who is a visionary, is knowledgable, and is a great leader for the changes that New Bedford Public Schools has desperately needed. The New Bedford Educators Association "vote" is a very unfortunate distraction that attempts to maintain the status quo — a Level 4 district that is on the precipice of state receivership ... and the elimination of the NBEA.

From an educator's perspective, I have great confidence in Dr. Durkin. She is making all of the changes that will make the city's education system a crown jewel for New Bedford. I'm not alone in my praise of Dr. Durkin. Educator and administrator colleagues across the state have expressed their confidence and approval of all she is doing to turn the district around. In my 29 years of living in New Bedford, I've never seen such strong support across the community for all that Dr. Pia Durkin is doing, and her work is respected, admired, and confirmed by educators and administrators across the state. I also have to believe state education Commissioner Mitchell Chester has confidence in her capabilities, or he would not have made her the receiver for the Level 5 John Avery Parker Elementary School.

Bravo to the 41+ percent of the NBEA teachers who chose not to vote for the no-confidence motion. These teachers are the ones who have the ability and willingness to work hard to make the changes that will ensure our kids are getting the very best teaching and are achieving at levels they never had before. Their efforts are recognized and evaluated by the excellent Educators Evaluation Standards mandated by the state. Those who do not have the willingness are the ones who continue to cheat our kids out of getting the education they deserve.

The consequences of a state receivership for the NBPS and the elimination of the NBEA are real if Pia Durkin is not here. As a Level 4 district with a Level 4 high school, Level 5 elementary school, and many Level 3 schools close to becoming Level 4, there is no doubt that immediate change is critically needed. If Pia Durkin leaves, New Bedford schools will be in receivership immediately, and there will no longer be an NBEA.

So, if New Bedford really wants to turn the district around and make good teaching and learning a reality, everyone will express their confidence in Pia Durkin and do all that we can to support her efforts.

The future for our kids and the city of New Bedford depend on it.

C

62 comments:

Anonymous said...

The 41% should never complain about the conditions Dr. Durkin has created in our schools.

Anonymous said...

Carolee is no friend to public schools or to public school teachers. The reformers will be on the wrong side of history.

Anonymous said...

No teacher should support any school committee member or the mayor. If you attend their cocktail parties you are part of the problem.

Anonymous said...

Boob Unger can always count on Tom "I flip positions mid sentence" Davis, Craig "I'll have another drink" Dutra, John "silver spoon" Bullard and Carolee Matsomoto to deceive the public.

Anonymous said...

Your union leader is under attack because he's ass. There is no climate of fear. What we have here is people who don't want to work. The. 41% have spoken loud and clear. They support Dr. Durkin because they are the good teachers. The rest of you need to find another job.

Anonymous said...

A message to the 41% from the children..."Thank you for more testing and rigor. I hate my lazy teachers. They don't care about my future like Pia does. Who needs more Art, Music, or Gym when you can have a new textbook?"

Anonymous said...

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608039490906492876&pid=15.1

Anonymous said...

Dear Carolee,
You give praise to the 41% who chose not to vote as if all of those who did not vote support Dr Durkin. All they did was NOT VOTE. To read anything other than that into that and then try to use it as a means of propaganda is disingenuous.

Anonymous said...

Carolee is an Unger tool.

Anonymous said...

^ Unger can always count on Carolee.

Anonymous said...

UIA and the Education Round Table make me sick!!!!!! They have all the damn answers and know everything about teaching. Why don't you take over a school and show us how it's done!!!! Oh wait.... You have the Renaissance School.... One of the biggest facades in the city!!!!

Anonymous said...

The 41% did not vote against the "no confidence" vote; they just did not vote. Ms. Matsomoto can spin this any way that she chooses; but the unfortunate truth was that the 41% were either too apathetic, fearful or felt it was not there problem since their job was still intact. This is just emblematic of American society in general. We all seem to want changes ; but are unwilling to voice our say; even if it means that things are not of our liking. If the people of this community are unhappy with the job that either the mayor or the school committee is doing then they had their opportunity last November to change things. Even though Mayor Mitchell ran unopposed (still can't figure that out); nobody was stopped from going to the polls and writing "Not Him" or "None of the Above" on the ballot.
As for the district being taken over by the state, we already are. Commissioner Chester chose Dr. Durkin to be the receiver of Parker school. By doing that isn't she, in effect, in the employ of the DESE and the State?
In regards to Ms. Matsumoto's love of the Educator Evaluation System, it is a flawed product. All the Evaluation is measuring is the teacher's ability to amass paper.It does not accurately measure a educator's practice in the classroom, the interaction between educator and student or give a true indication of their interaction with colleagues or parents. These are things that one can only determine through constant observation of the administrative team in the school building.
One final item, Ms. Matsumoto. The teachers of New Bedford have been clamoring for all of the academic enhancements that Dr. Durkin, Ms. Dawson and the new over bloated administrative team is bringing to our schools. Had the school committee listened to us earlier, this current situation could've possibly been avoided.

Anonymous said...

Carolee like the other members of the Education Roundtable, UIA, and S-T have been out to destroy the school district every since Bonner QUIT.

Remember, Bonner was fighting with the members of the school committee and created her own problems with them. The members, go back and read the newspaper articles, Roundtable, UIA, and S-T were irate about what happened. Seems like these groups are trying with the graces of the mayor and school committee to run the district.

Aren't many of these individuals also full supporters of the innovation schools along with several members of the school committee?

Anonymous said...

Wonder how Carolee would feel if she was assaulted by a student and the administration and superintendent blamed her!!!

Anonymous said...

I believe this is the first time in the history of the New Bedford Public Schools that the members of the union took a vote of "no confidence" in the superintendent.

Anonymous said...

Carolee has obviously not googled Durkin. She has not read the "rave reviews" given to her by the districts she has been in previously. How dare she insinuate that only the nonvoters are good teachers and hard workers. When should we expect Carolee to apply for a position working directly with students in our schools?? So tired of outside opinions.

Chuck said...

"Your union leader is under attack because he's ass. There is no climate of fear. What we have here is people who don't want to work. The. 41% have spoken loud and clear. They support Dr. Durkin because they are the good teachers. The rest of you need to find another job"
-So, if you don't agree with your leader, then get out. People are not allowed to dissent anymore, without name calling and threats over livelihood. Nope, no culture of fear here! Ah, the new America. The 59% who voted spoke loud and clear, the others did not speak at all. This is a prime example of a gigantic part of the problem, and that is that many of the people in charge are so incredibly out of touch with reality and the actual situation.Too many teachers were probably at home correcting tests or preparing lesson plans to vote because they were trying to save their rear ends in this fascist regime. Which, if you question the leader, you can leave. Yeah, it sounds like she's nurturing a lovely environment.

Anonymous said...

Unger and the fools at the S-T, as well as this Matsumoto person, are apparently so dumb that they believe that the 41% who did not vote actually support Durkin. Any pollster would tell you that if 60% of any demographic group is polled, the results can be extrapolated to the rest. In presidential elections, in a country of 316 million, they can poll 1,000 people and get incredibly accurate results of how the election will turn out.

Anonymous said...

Really, Chuck? 41% did not vote, that does not mean they support Durkin. Some teachers were unable to get down to the NBEA to vote due to other circumstances! Get a clue!

Anonymous said...

The mayor has his head in the sand, I feel so badly for the tax payers of this city. By the time Pia and the mayor finish with this city it's people will be both poorer and less educated!
Pia is a pro at one thing INTIMIDATION, ! She has intimidated the school committee, the teachers, and now the citizens of New Bedford. Wake up, people, your children are the losers

Anonymous said...

The truth will out, eventually. Unfortunately it may be after the loss of months or years of education for our kids, and many teachers lost through early retirement and resignation. The arrogance and incompetence of this administration will eventually be known by all. Data cannot be "cooked" forever and disciplinary issues cannot be forever hidden. In the meantime, any idiot with a big mouth and a political "in" will spew the party line. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame, madam.

Anonymous said...

There was no voter intimidation. Are we actually proud of people living in a democracy/republic that don't bother to use their right to vote? That can't be right.

Anonymous said...

Member of the round table-now that's a joke just like your editorial!

Anonymous said...

Carolee come and teach at the high school and maybe you will get lucky and get assaulted by a student thug! Until then, keep your lousy opinions to yourself. One cares to hear your propaganda !WE take you with a grain of salt--you don't matter!

Anonymous said...

Durkin was fired from Attleboro or as they put it-"contract not renewed". This district always attracts the trash!

Anonymous said...

Carolee sounds lonely. Maybe we could buy her a cat.

Anonymous said...

Excuse me. A Round Table member has the nerve to squawk in support of Pia Durkin? The same committee that proposes Innovative Schools that drain the budget of NPBS and segregates students? The same organization who does business with the scum of society; administrative predators dismissed from other districts? You are self-serving and play both sides of the coin. You think you know the ins on urban education, and interject here and there, but you are way out of line. Please take your Round Table garbage and stick it in a square hole where it belongs. Your ethics are also misguided as is your relationship with Marlene Pollack.

Anonymous said...

Our predictions were spot on. We worked diligently to gather and complete the puzzle entitled, "What is the Backroom Deal between Pia, Mayor, SC, and Chester?" This information with deliberately withheld. The secrets and lack of transparency raises a red flag. Entrusting a change agent such as Durkin, who is known to employ unethical practices and shoves it in your face, scares the hell out of good, honest, hardworking educators with a commitment to this district. Pia Durkin does not posses the moral compass needed to revive NBPS. Our trust and respect has been severed at the hands of Pia, herself. This is what she presented. This is what she repeatedly demonstrated. Expendable...

Anonymous said...

STUPID PEOPLE: DURKIN'S FIRST YEAR WAS A BUST...HOW WAS SHE SUCCESSFUL? LOOK AT HOW MUCH DAMAGE WAS DONE IN JUST A SHORT TIME. LOOK WHAT SURFACED REGARDING HER PAST. LISTEN TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING WHO WORKED WITH HER IN THE PAST. WE WERE WARNED AT THE ONSET. EXPECT NOTHING BUT THE SAME FROM HER. A LEOPARD DOESN'T CHANGE ITS SPOTS. PIA DURKIN DOES NOT PUT STUDENTS FIRST. SHE WAS PROMISED A GENEROUS GIFT AT OUR EXPENSE.

Anonymous said...

United Interfaith is for privatization. This excludes the majority of "at risk" students. 78% of our students received free or reduced lunch. They are our subgroups and most vulnerable population. If you are to believe their motives, are students do not stand a chance. These organizations operate in a disguised ruse.

Anonymous said...

Pia Durkin is provocative, unscrupulous, and malicious. Not only has she maligned teachers, but Durkin has shut families out of the process that affects their child's learning and the environment in which it takes place. The vote of no confidence reflects the sentiments of the community at large. We cannot embrace or condone practices that violate universal code of ethics. Just as the arch dioceses concealed reports of priests harming male children, Pia Durkin has concealed evidence of a student-on-student rape. She retaliated against a teacher who was assaulted for speaking out and expressing concern, not only for herself, but for other students, as well. This goes against the grain of what an educational leader should represent. This is our truth and a red flag raised by the mayor and school committee as their choice for Mrs. Fix-It, agent of change. Mass firings and unnecessary micromanaging hires: Morally and ethically deprived as indicated in their past histories.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, I was part of the 41% - not because I couldn't be bothered, or because I support Dr. Durkin, but because I have other commitments and couldn't get down to the NBEA to cast my vote. Don't make assumptions...

Anonymous said...

This is a scare tactic only

Anonymous said...

This post is a PR tactic that has failed once again due to credibility issues. One contaminated hand washes another.

Anonymous said...

In 10 LONG months, durkin took time away from teaching and learning that cannot be replaced. That is not success or celebratory-worthy. Get your facts straight, Carolee. Teachers are not the mice from the Pied Piper of Hamelin, but you smell like rotten cheese.

Anonymous said...

And did you hear Mayor McCheese tell the media it happens all the time in urban districts? It was a poor attempt to detract the interviewer and downplay its impact. Nixon was impeached for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. A vote of no confidence is used in extreme cases and for us, it is an abuse of power with intent to cause distress. Mayor and SC continue to give her the green light. They took away our contractual right to grieve, so we did something about it. We raised awareness and discontent.

Anonymous said...

In 10 short months durkin burnt many bridges.

Anonymous said...

To No climate of Fear, almost 600 educators do not want to work? We photo shopped the viral video? Pia is being played b/c people want only want something from her. You are both jackasses to peddle such propaganda. Kemar Omar Roselus does not exist? Dispute that!

Anonymous said...

Using Durk's own statistical methods, the union voted roughly 59% that they do no have confidence in her. Her goal to increase scores was 40% which is quite lofty but we far exceeded that with our 59% vote. Don't be fooled by Carolee. She is the only one claiming she is an expert in education. The other supporters such as Tom Davis do not live in New Bedford. Tom also has too many personal issues to worry about. His wife was arrested for driving drunk home form Mayor Mitchell's cocktail party. Tom was sloshed himself but as a passenger, charges could not be filed. But clearly he is not a man of good judgement. If he did not have his political connections, his wife Africana would be in jail. Larry Finnerty is a getting some back door deals out of this and should instead be talking about how for years he was second in command of the school department. If it is a mess, we should be looking at an audit for the time he was there. What was his role? We should go after his pension. He was part of the problem for far too long and now is just ensuring that his son has a job at NBHS. He is low on the seniority list so I guess this is his way of pushing out dedicated teachers. Mitchell's agenda is to make a name for himself as mayor as he has aspirations to run for higher office and union busting sounds good. He was a federal prosecutor and even an incompetent prosecutor knows that New Bedford has a heroin problem along with various other social issues. Why do you think his kid does not go to Hathaway School which is in his district. His daughter goes to Winslow. Does he pay taxes in the Winslow district? Some of these heroin addicts have children in our school system. Not to knock the heroin or drug addicts as I am fortunate not to be one but let's face it, the kids living with drug addicts will not have school as a priority. We have many homeless children. Foster care children and the list goes on and on. The general public needs to do their investigating. Do not be fooled into thinking we are all lazy teachers. Do you really think that 59% of the teachers dislike children? Really? How many of your elementary school aged children came home this week with a present for Mom? A potted plant or decorated item? Do you think the school department purchases these items? Did your child purchase the pots, flowers, paint? picture frames, bags, etc? No. The "lazy teacher" you slam any chance you get purchased them for your child. Would it make sense for someone there that is "just collecting their check" to spend a good portion of that check every week to use it for these reasons? If you do not agree with Durk or the Mayor, please start speaking out!

Anonymous said...

The last post makes the union look bad. The mayor lives in the Winslow district which travels north to at least Maple St. And even more absurd was Larry Finnerty as second in command. That actually made me chuckle.
This union has serious issues to deal with and doesn't need idiotic statements that hurt its cause like the last post.

Anonymous said...

Does Carolee have extensive experience working in an underperforming, inner city school system ??? Not entirely sure where she taught ....

Anonymous said...

At what point will union members realize that non fact based arguments damage them? Calling someone corrupt and rumor mongrering will always blowback.

Calling judas every time someone isn't as in line as the most extreme opinion just turns more people off.

Less personal insults this year which is an improvement over the disgraceful behavior on here last year. No third reich refernces this month which is good.

Oh. For the record, a first time DUI is always treated leniently. It is possible for a school comm members child to pass mtel and teach in NB without corruption.

Unknown said...

Great stuff going on at MTA conference. Holyoke is making some great points. Can' t wait to hear From New Bedford....

Anonymous said...

Well, Pia does remind me of Hitler and her tactics can be described as "Hitlerian." Someone once said that New Bedford is obsessed with World War II, so I had to sneak-in a gratuitous Third Reich reference.

Anonymous said...

What is posted on this blog by teachers who are living the experience is based on fact. Other reputable sources include published articles on said person's past and a person's past always comes back to haunt them. If we had broken the law and participated in a criminal act, that would be public knowledge, as well. Do not berate this blog because each genuine contribution states a valid point. Our union president created a platform for us to share information, but because of his integrity, he posts the good and the bad. We have nothing to hide. Corrupt is a strong word, but it is an accurate description of the mayor. He drew the lines in the sand when he gave teachers the screws. Believe what you want. The truth is we were willing to do the hard work, but were blindsided by underhanded acts of cruelness. FYI: We can back up everything we say.

Anonymous said...

If New Bedford Ed leaders and policy makers did not make bad decisions such as drinking and driving and using connections to get out of jail free, as a prime example, this statement would not have been made. It is public record.

Anonymous said...

Let's look at the voter turnout in the last local election. I don't know exactly what it was, but if you count all the voters who didn't turn out, and the fact that a number of the voters who did turn out didn't vote for Jon Mitchell--who was unopposed (including me)...I think you will find that the mayor, and most of our local politicians were elected by fewer than 50% of the electorate. 59% of NBEA members voted "no confidence" can Mitchell or any school committee member say that they had 59% of the population's support as this vote did? I highly doubt it! Data, people!!

Been there, done that, got the T shirt said...

I'm sure that Ms. (or Dr.?) Matumoto, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Dutra are very good at what they do. I think they should stick to that and let us NB teachers do what we do best--TEACH!! What would Ms. Matumoto do (or any of the others) if a chair was lobbed in their direction.

Anonymous said...

Pollack and Livremento will be gone in the next election cycle. We will make sure of that. Then her son won't have to worry about the false nepotism accusations the rest of us still deal with.

Anonymous said...

Once again, it is not about where the mayor lives, it is about how he conducts himself and facade he portrays. Jon Mitchell is not an honorable man.

Anonymous said...

It takes a strong person to stand up and speak the truth in the face of adversity. At each of the four cardinal directions, there is a piranha-like education leader trying to grab a piece of the pie for all the wrong reasons. Erroneous people are posting on this blog to mislead and deceive. They fabricate the intentions of our union.

Anonymous said...

The NB School Committee is not respected by their constituents. They are a laughing stock that make a mockery out of due process.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone researched the new headmaster of NBHS? Google her. Under 35, very little teaching experience and other than a few years in Boston she doesn't have much of a teaching background! Harvard educates or not.... I think she's in for a rude awakening!!!!

Anonymous said...

^and a mockery of due diligence!

Anonymous said...

Durkin is grasping at straws to save her ...

Anonymous said...

If you've had a chance to read Malcolm Gladwell's Book THE OUTLIERS, in particular the chapter entitled "The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes", I think you can then understand PIA's choice of headmaster for the high school.
Co-Pilot: Captain, I think the plane is going to crash.
Captain: No, everything is fine, the plane is not going to crash.
Co-Pilot: You're absolutely right sir, Nothing is wrong.
CRASH!!

Anonymous said...

Carolee…What the hell are you smoking???

Anonymous said...

The Teachers in New Bedford are the best I have ever seen. When many people live in fear, they don't vote. Don't assume they support the tyrant. The Teachers in NB could turn this entire schools system around if they had the chance. I taught here for years, but left. We didn't go broke buying supplies, working all kinds of crazy hours, giving our all to the students because we are a bunch of whiners and complainers. If you cut the fat out down at the school department, things will improve. Pia Durkin will go down in New Bedford history as the person who destroyed the very fiber of education in this city. Anyone with half a brain will see that. Hopefully the students will know years down the road that the teachers were there for them. Good luck everyone.

Anonymous said...

OK… I think we need to get real… who the hell decided that we needed this robot to come to NB?? I'm just a person on the outside looking in, and I feel like this is a set-up from the state, and the powers that be. She has been given carte blanche, to do whatever the hell she wants. Are we really that stupid to not realize that this is an F'ing set-up?? Something sitnks and it's not the fish in the harbor!

Anonymous said...

That's why we need an investigation. Yes, we were set up.

Anonymous said...

This Chuck is a shady character.

Anonymous said...

What a tool!