Thursday, June 26, 2014

Citizens of this city are watching the school system's progress very closely .... By Mary Lou Tavares

As a retired citizen and current taxpayer of New Bedford, I too am concerned about the status of New Bedford High School and the entire school system. I decided to research the New Bedford Public Schools website for employment opportunities and the qualifications needed to apply for a teaching position. This research was done to determine the quality of people that New Bedford is recruiting in order to increase academic performance in the schools.

I was appalled when I read the words, "Bachelor's degree preferred" and "Experience preferred." Neither was a requirement for the jobs listed. Yes, a Massachusetts Licensure was required but a degree was not. The advertisement with these qualifications listed suggests that New Bedford Public Schools are not looking for high-quality professionals.

Many of the teachers who were let go by Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin have multiple degrees and licenses, are "highly qualified" by state standards, have excellent evaluations and established rapport with their students. Are they to be replaced with unqualified, under-educated and inexperienced people?

Where is Dr. Durkin leading our school system, except into a state takeover? Unqualified teachers are certainly not in the best interest of our students, our schools and our city. Is this why the citizens are facing a tax increase? Elected officials and Dr. Durkin should remember that the citizens of this city are watching them and the school system's progress very closely.



12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Keep in mind we are also losing mid career teachers to other districts (by choice). I don't blame them. We are losing people that speak more than one language as well. I don't understand how we can add diversity administrators while pushing out people that we currently have that are fluent in two or more languages. There seems to be little appreciation for the quality staff we do have.

Anonymous said...

Dr Durkin will spend money on a public relations person because she is unable to comunicate with her staff or New Bedford's teachers. If the cities schools were doing poorly before Dr Durkin they will surely crumble when she is through with them.

Anonymous said...

seriously. The word "preferred" is your gripe?

Anonymous said...

Dear Mary Lou, the superintendent got rid of (sorry for the bluntness )MANY fine qualified, experienced teachers at the high school! Why? Because "she could" (state-approved plan, believe it or not) and the lady and husband have a criminal past and are on a power trip! The school committee is lazy and didn't do their research. If they had, they would have found this husband and wife team to be human wrecking balls! And, "yes" we hired her for NB. I've worked at the high school for many years and saw the carnage first hand. Taxpayers' money goes to school administrators' salaries and not to where it is most needed----in the classrooms for updated textbooks and computers. Personally, I think we were "set up." State Commissioner of Ed. Mitchell Chester didn't want to get involved with a state takeover and left Durkin to do the dirty work. NBPS is in one hell of a mess, and it is about to get worse!

Anonymous said...

Why is it that a person will demand an experienced surgeon over a new graduate inexperienced surgeon for their procedure, but they prefer a brand new inexperienced teacher over the experienced teacher to turn a school system around ? Really ?
There's a place and a way to bring in new talent and fresh energy while honoring and learning from the very talented teachers we have.

Anonymous said...

It comes down to the bottom dollar. We all know the money is not actually meant for our students but for administration pay checks. Elementary has huge, huge class sizes with no help at all! I am a parent and I can see no real changes will be made except in the administrations pockets! Shame on you Mayor Mitchell!

Anonymous said...

Mary Lou,

What is happening in our district is heartbreaking. We were willing to move mountains. We've been terribly hurt and there is not a damn thing we can do about it. Durkin rubs salt in our wounds.

Anonymous said...

What is a turnaround manager? What are the qualifications? Was there a posting or search?

Anonymous said...

The difference between Voke and NBHS is discipline! The students at Voke are expected to be responsible for their behavior and are not coddled by their superintendent. That is the main difference.

Unknown said...

Must be able to fog a mirror...

Anonymous said...

This has been a set-up and by the time the fair citizens of New Bedford realize it, she will be long gone. Wake up!!

Anonymous said...

No, the citizens are not watching. They are being led around by the nose and are being told what to see and do. Teachers are being "led" be inexperience and lies. This is a sad day. If you paint the building (2nd floor core only - it looks lovely) and cultivate the PCB soil things will be different. Can't wait for all 2400 kids to start their days in the cafeterias. No walking the core!