Friday, June 6, 2014

Share your thoughts

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Still no June 1st Posting? Bradshaw must be School Springed out!

Anonymous said...

I Went to the Normandin Spring Concert Thursday night and was surprised that it turned into a Pia Durkin PR event. When she got up to speak, she rambled on about her budget and how parents should all contact their city counselors to vote for it. Would have been nicer if she had used her "2 minutes of fame" to actually praise or encourage the students who were to perform. As far as I am concerned she definitely picked the wrong time and place for that message.

Anonymous said...

The CEOs from local businesses who asked the SC to support durkin's budget have no idea about the can of worms this opened. We understand the need for skills ready, but their trust in Durkin is misplaced. She is a dangerous woman who employs unethical practices. Their desperation to attract for revenue comes at a very high price tag. The money will be spent on mini-me administrators rather than student needs and resources. I wish they could understand the corruption and egos at play behind closed doors. Did that vital video impact them in any way? I guess money remains the root of all evil.

Anonymous said...

I was at the Normandin concert last night. I could not believe that she didn't praise one student. Instead Old P-diddy spoke about the budget. I am a parent and I can see right through this woman. Some thing stinks in NB and it's not the teachers! Mini-me spies are everywhere-what a joke!

Anonymous said...

Other than the level IV and V schools, is there a contract being negotiated for the other 20 schools in the district? Our current contract expires July 1st. It would be nice to be appropriately compensated for all of these high expectations. I hope the increase in the budget is not only spent on high priced newly minted positions....."Chief Academic Officer" etc.

Anonymous said...

Can someone explain...

Why is Pia NOT being held accountable on her evaluation for student test scores, but yet teachers are? If the test scores AREN'T important for the superintendent's evaluation, why are they so important for teacher evaluations??????

DATA DATA DATA!!!

Anonymous said...

Durkin is an opportunist who seizes the moment. She needs this money desperately to hire her minions. Shame on her for using a children's concert as her platform. If she was genuine and honorable, she wouldn't have to beg. The CC should heed the warning from durkin's former colleagues.

Anonymous said...

Negotiations are underway. This administration intends to take more and offer nothing from what I hear. We went along with the last awful contract (which is constantly disregarded) let's not be too quick in this round. Remember, Dr. D. is every level of the grievance process-we must have a solid contract in place in such times.

Anonymous said...

The mayor's mantra is "If I only had a brain". Durkin is playing him all the way to the bank. Ironically, he knows it. This is a big charade.

Anonymous said...

Pia's priorities- hunger for power above our children's needs and futures.

Anonymous said...

When can we expect the June 1st posting? July 1st? When will the results of the May 1st postings be announced for all to know? I miss the updates informing staff. Everything seems to be up in the air with no one providing answers.

Anonymous said...

Does Dr. Durkin actually know the students she keeps embracing at awards nights, graduations, etc.??? It seems like she gets too physically pushy. I found it odd. I would imagine some students don't like that.

Anonymous said...

The City has a bright, shiny new website. How come the School Department still has deceased people listed on theirs?

Anonymous said...

Pia puts her hands on the students..fire her!

Anonymous said...

Dr. Durkin is nothing more than a hatchet woman hired by Mayor Mitchell, Mitchell Chester and the SC to "gut" the system in an effort to save money. The NBPS saves $ hiring newbies. The state saves $ on the other end as earlier retirements mean less $ going out in pensions. The SC doesn't stand to gain monetarily. Their gain, if any, would come as a direct result of the "turnaround" outcome. In other words, if test scores increase, regardless of whether it is by 40% or not, they gain by looking good in the taxpayers eyes. This results in positive #s at the polls during election time. The City Council does not gain monetarily or popularity wise. Consequently, their words and actions thus far have been directly tied to the interests of NB students and families. They are true public servants acting as catalysts for positive change in our city and we are very fortunate to have them in office. Moral of the story .... $ is the root of all ....

Unknown said...

I was hoping for one of those administrative positions, possibly the position of Administrator-at-Large. My job should have goals that are high but impossible to measure. I would also like to work from home 3 or 4 days per week with occasional visits to one or more schools just to keep everyone on their toes. I'll need 4 weeks vacation and $100,000...and direct deposit of course.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know who is the new Principal at Normandin? I heard it was a former Principal's daughter

Anonymous said...

i think one of the VPs got the principalship.

Anonymous said...

Another two teachers wee assaulted at the high school on Friday by a student that should have been in class but was roaming the hall. Teachers are being to to F-off for asking students where they belong. Seniors are gone! They left a great example of leadership for the others to follow.

Anonymous said...

I feel the mayor and SC are intimidated by Durkin. She is a vindictive woman, and if they cross her, she will retaliate. Durkin is always reminding them that she has receivership. If you'll notice, they are always in agreement with her requests. How do you respect leaders without a backbone, integrity, have shady pasts, and self-serving motives?

Anonymous said...

It really angers me that Pia Durkin uses teachers as pawns to divide and conquer. She is violating our contract while granting special privileges to her disciples. The rest are hung out to dry. It is time to move on. NBPS is not a safe and healthy environment for teachers or students. My school is a chaotic mess.

Anonymous said...

He did and word is he is naming the former Principals daughter as his new VP.

Anonymous said...

Why is it that we must apply for positions through School Spring? Are the HR people unable to keep up with the many applications? Nationwide searches seem to be a must now a days except if you are part of the posse.

Anonymous said...

I hope each School Committee members' evaluative report on Pia Durkin will be published to this site. After all it is suppose to be public knowledge. Let's post them for all to see!

Anonymous said...

Farrell is principal of Normandin, listed on one of the many SchoolSpring listings for ASST. principals at Normandin... the school that no subs want to go to.

Anonymous said...

No supplies, no books, no decent tech or furniture, no field trip $..but TESTS we have TESTS!

Anonymous said...

And plenty of fights at the high school, but they are swept under the rug. Nobody comes when we call for assistance, anyway. Everything falls on our shoulders including things we have no control over. Respect is lacking on every level!

Anonymous said...

The Commissioner of Education is a big fraud. He should be down here speaking to us who are living this nightmare under the infamous Pia Durkin.

Anonymous said...

Another school shooting ... and the violence in our city and its schools rises exponentially from week to week. I am scared for my students, colleagues and myself and ashamed to work in a school system that refuses to acknowledge such a serious societal breakdown in behavior. Dr. Durkin, Mayor Mitchell and SC - for the love of God please wake up before New Bedford becomes the next "Oregon", "Newtown" or "Columbine" .

Anonymous said...

Heard principals know the June 1st openings and are making sure their friends get to stay at their schools,they know how to get around the contract.

Anonymous said...

Sarah Elizabeth Hope If you think this administration cares about YOU more than your teachers do there is much for you to learn.

Anonymous said...

Sarah Hope has her own agenda. Here is a comment she posted on her facebook page.

Sarah Hope
February 12
I am getting so sick of the ignorance that is passed around this school system. Some of these teachers need to stop complaining and do their job. Every argument I've heard against Dr. Durkin, is extremely fallacious, one-sided, and biased. Posted a comment sharing my opinion anonymously, and people are denying the fact that it's a student. I know it's crazy how well i articulate compared to the "great" teachers of New Bedford High School.
1310

• 13 people like this.

Anonymous said...

Sarah.... I hope you will be attending college as a education major. That way you can come back to NB and show us how it's done!!!!

Anonymous said...

In my school our great leader decided to non-renew a teacher - a really hard working dedicated teacher- the slot is already promised to our principals friend from another school.
oh yes side note the teachers husband has a terminal illness- happy summer vacation.

Anonymous said...

Blog, Facebook page coming ....email NBparents4schools@aol.com---- teachers , parents , community members ---- this is the venue to take without fear and intimidation

Anonymous said...

So lets start doing what happens to teachers --- hold people accountable for unfair data ---- On Durkins watch --- NBHS turned Level 4 , Parker has turned Level 5 , and guaranteed more will be coming . First year --- was it worth 180k ?

Anonymous said...

Durkin's policy-don't' report it-don't record it. That way the pubic doesn't know what is really happening. Parents-if you are in fear of your child's lives-stand up to this witch!

Anonymous said...

What is the mayor doing about the violence in NB? The Golden Greek, I live a block from this place! I'm surprised that he is not blaming the teachers for this too!