Tuesday, July 12, 2016

'Integrity called into question,' New Bedford school board member Chris Cotter says

'Integrity called into question,' New Bedford school board member Chris Cotter says

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chris, you are the most honest person I know! Once again, Durkin is attacking you because you are challenging her on important issues! I have seen her in action, brushing things under the rug. She does not belong in her position. God bless you Chris, we believe in you!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Cotter,
This is just a blatant way for Dr. Durkin to attack you to try and make you stop asking the hard questions she doesn't want to hear about, and your refusal to be like the rest of the school committee members, mere bobbleheads, drinking the Kool-Aid placed in front of them. You are the only school committee member WITH integrity! Every time someone disagrees with her they are out the door. How many more resignations were on the agenda for Monday, July 11, 2016? Dr. Durkin's allowing our district to lose competent people such as Karen Regan continues to boggle my mind. What will it take for people to question Dr. Durkin's integrity?
Please continue to be the voice that New Bedford Public School students and staff need.

Anonymous said...

This is a new low for Pia Durkin. It is of no surprise that Pia Durkin will always first attempt to protect her reputation by concealing or ignoring pertinent issues of the needs of teachers, parents and students. However, attempting to tarnish the reputation of a man of high moral character in retaliation for his diligence in forcing Pia Durkin to be reminded of these demanding issues of the public that she chooses to conceal is grounds for dismissal.

Amazingly, her response is a usual----silence. Why is her response to these matters silence ? Because she is compromised in her position of Superintendent. Based upon her past failures in various districts makes New Bedford her last landing strip. No other district wants her incompetence, thus she conceals the truth and remains silents to the concerns of the citizens of New Bedford to protect her self interests.

Pia, do the right thing for once in your career. You know you are ineffective in this position. Resign. Stop trying to bleed the taxpayers of any additional salary. Please , do what is right. When you have to resort to attempting to damage an individual that you clearly fear for his attempt to address issues that need to be addressed, it becomes apparent, time to leave the position.

I have been a friend of Chris Cotter since 1980. He has been a man of character each and everyday since they day we were introduced in September of 1980.

Pia, what you have failed to recognize in your attempt to damage my friends reputation is that in doing so you have also accused me and all the people that share his values of the same offense---that we also lack integrity.

That is something you will never be able to ignore. You can continue to remain silent but please remember how I, Chris and the people that share his values interpret your silence---Your silence is an admission of guilt.

Norman A. Frechette





Anonymous said...

Talk about bobble heads. This blog is a bunch of Cotter ego - strokers!

Chris, sometimes you're right and sometimes you're wrong. Don't let your NBEA worshipers convince you that you're always right! We're all human. You've been right on many things and you will be wrong on some too.

That is the way life works. Wrong on this one, but I still respect you.
- Dee

Anonymous said...

I think people have said this woman is maniacal bully. One that behaves in different ways. Chris are you seeing it first hand? She needs to go, and if she does go, please not DeFalco.

Unknown said...

Well "Dee"... I most certainly don't need my ego stroked as you put it. But, I don't have "worshippers " as you put it as well. It's quite obvious you don't know me at all. If you followed what this is all about, and my response, you would know that there are answers that I may not like. I'm also an individual who is NOT afraid to admit I'm wrong. So, I appreciate the respect as it goes both ways even with comments. Agreeing to disagree is part of the process as long as we listen to each other. Thanks for posting

Anonymous said...

If you're not afraid to admit you're wrong, Mr. Cotter, then admit it. We know it's about using your city job, paid for by us , to get information on the children of NB. That just isn't right. Not saying you're integrity is in question, but that is not a good thing, and that's that.

You have a set of worshipers. Call them what you will. If you do not wish to admit it, that is fine too. They are fair weather friends as they're called. They will be there for you when you stand up for your self, but when the going get's tough, they'll disappear. Ask if any of them will speak out. No. They are here for the show, here for the ride, and they will never stand up for themselves.

Still have my respect, but we disagree on this one, Mr. Cotter. Have the courage to admit when your wrong, as you claim you have the willing ness to do so. Will gain you a lot more respect in the end, sir.
-Dee

Anonymous said...

Really! Durkin is not right in the head! She is a bully and manipulates people. I cannot for one stand the sight of her! She has to go! Chris Cotter is the only SC member with a pair! The rest are all cowards who stroke her maniac ego! Wake up Durkin drones!!

Anonymous said...

Josh you need to grow up and stand up for what is right. Stop acting like such whimp! We all know that you are afraid of Durkin. So sad.

Anonymous said...

Durkin doesn't want to deal with the Cotter conflict so she has delegated her responses through Johnathan Carvalho. We haven't heard from John in a while because of the heat she was taking on having a spokesperson. The reintroduction of John given this particular issue is predictable. I think John is a great kid but it is a shame that she is trying to have a minion carry this cross and do her bidding. My recommendation to John is to find another job. You don't have to take this crap from Durkin. If Josh can figured it out, so can you.

Anonymous said...

Talk about integrity. If what Steve Urbon writes is true or even lends a smidgen of truth about Fred Kalisz withholding Tuft's survey from the public relating to the environmental conditions of the Keith Middle School, then at a minimum he (Kalisz) should be called into a city council session and questioned about what he knew and when he knew it. If the accusation Urbon is making is true, it is beyond outrageous. It is criminal. And Steve, I thought I'd never say this, "good reporting," now dig deeper.

Anonymous said...

To all my colleagues I would like to wish you success throughout the new school year.

Anonymous said...

Welcome Back! Finally we are getting to see Pia's true colors. For her to make the statement, "There are teachers that couldn't cut it and left, and there are administrators that did the same," one can only come to grip with the relationships she has created and maintains with her staff over that course of her tenure. Cross her and you're thrown under the bus. Teachers and administrators do not leave the district due to money issues, or because of the kids. Teachers leave out of frustration of any support from PRAB and the inaction of immediate administrators, and administrators leave because their hands are tied by guess who. I have to laugh because Pia believes teaching is a calling, and maybe for a few it is. It's a job Pia, and you should know that better than anyone given your contract negotiations and salary. Recently I met up with the hardest working teacher I ever met, and was told that this past year was a debacle, and it won't be long until moving on if things don't improve. This teacher is a true Saint! That's reality Pia. They are leaving because they want to be heard, respected, and most of all an administration that will support them. I bet Mayor Michell's visit to NBHS couldn't have been brief enough.

Anonymous said...

So true! I can't wait to retire! I probably would stay longer if Durkin would leave and take her under handed policies with her. WE need support, not judgement, not bullying, SUPPORT! These teachers left because they are sick of her crap, these administrators left for the same reason. These teachers will be hired at other districts because these districts know how valuable NB teachers are, how hard working and dedicated. These districts will support their teachers with respect. Respect is something we have never been shown since Pia rode into our district. Why work for a system that denigrates us, why work for a system that is a dictatorship ? Hire all the newbies you want Ms. Durkin and watch the district fall apart faster after everyone leaves. Karma-what you give out ,comes back to you ten fold!

Anonymous said...

Looks like there is a problem at Keith Middle School retaining teachers. What is going on at that school?

Anonymous said...

Most likely discipline problems not being addressed. The Durkin way..brush everything under the rug!

Anonymous said...

Looks like stability is the issue. Too many teachers abruptly leaving. How in the world can newbie teachers handle the discipline problems at that school. Can't the school committee see the problem? Is anyone questioning Durkin. I wonder how many teachers have left the school or the district since she took over?

Anonymous said...

I would never send my child to NB schools until the out of control issues are handled or until Durkin the destroyer has left. Horrible behaviors are allowed in every level! Parents these are your children , take responsibility for their behavior. It starts are home!

Anonymous said...

Teachers are getting paid for babysitting students at Normandin. That what it is! It is such a long day for teachers. Discipline is a major issue at most schools.