We admire and applaud your courage in refusing to support the status quo anymore. The Syracuse City School District Board of Education has an obligation to the students in this district to govern with honesty, integrity and independent thought. You demonstrated that independence this week, not only refusing to fall into lockstep with the plans of the only direct report of the School Board - the Superintendent is indeed the Board's direct report, not their boss - but openly and honestly expressing concerns that reflect those of the Board's stakeholders.
Board members please take note: Your job IS to manage the superintendent. When 3,000 teachers and SCSD staff members are speaking in unison - with parent and community support - begging for help, it is time for you to stand up and take notice. Something is going horribly wrong in this district and there is a profound crisis. Do you have the courage to stand up and ask questions or have you been infected the Broad Virus - perhaps contracted on Broad Academy-sponsored "retreats?"
I am so proud of Max! He is the man! We should the members of SCSD should all pitch in and do do something special for him. I posted this in the "Things are Heating Up: section but I'm not sure peole are still reading the older blogs. I need help. Here is my post. I am looking for help on this site. I am being totally bullied and targeted by my administrator who claims it is my classroom management. I have four students who have serious mental health issues. She keeps writing me memos. These children can be dangerous! I am an elementary teacher. What steps should I take to prove that I'm being targeted. I also need to prove that this administrator is making her own building unsafe by her ignore and blame method! PS- I have a lot of documentation
ReplyDeleteBravo, both to Max and to the blog for recognizing his courageous act. The rest of this board is a complete and utter disgrace. They should do a little research into previous boards, when they consisted of thinking human beings (such as John DeFranciso, Joe Fahey and Frank Canino), who had a commitment to providing safe schools and a quality education for ALL students, as opposed to this group of zombies. They seem to think that they should genuflect each time the queen passes by, and kiss both her feet and her ring. They are completely unaware of their purpose. It's a shame that so much time and money has been wasted over the past almost 3 years while they have fawned over her and ignored their responsibilities. I say that this group, the STA, and other concerned citizens mount our own candidates for BOE next time around. Since the Democratic party does not take the positions seriously enough to present qualified, intelligent and conscientious candidates, maybe we should look to make an alliance with another party. Green? GOP? Let's give them a run for their money next time around, and vote their lazy bodies out of there.
ReplyDeleteCorinne , You are a wise woman? Would you consider running? Why do you think Dave Cecile has not spoken up yet?
DeleteIf it were me I would take my documentation and visit STA - talk with Joan and ask her what her suggestions are. Some things I wonder - "How many years have you been teaching?" "Is this a pattern?" (Certainly not blaming, just wondering) "Are other teachers having the same issues and NOT being targeting?" "Do you have any behavior plans for these students?" (that would help your case) "Do you get any support for these students?" "Are other teachers feeling the same as you?" - Strength in numbers - shows an administrative failure. We all are having these issues. Documentation and proof that you have addressed these behaviors will help you. I'd love to get some behaviors on an iPad or iPhone...
ReplyDeleteIt does not sound like you have empathy for the above poster. Why would you ask these questions. if a teacher feels targeted chances are he or she is being targeted. Behavior plans are a requirement of the district. What difference does it make if other teachers are being targeted as administrators generally make one or two people targets to use as an example. This blog is to support people!
DeleteOf course I have empathy....sorry you don't think so. And I am huge supporter of this blog and BTC. My questions are based on what someone would ask this teacher when they sat down together. You can't just make an accusation of being targeted without having documentation or proof. The questions I ask are so the poster has proof or evidence. This blog is also for communication and information.
DeleteI have to say I know many teachers that have gone to STA for help with alot of talking in circles for answers. They come to our schools have meetings let us address our concerns but have no answers to help except document, document, document, Well we have done all that and nobody is standing with us. Once targeted forget it nothing can be done. Kid says you hit him your out on leave for 2 weeks. Has happened to 5 employees in our building alone even with other students saying it didn't happen.
DeleteWhat happened to Dave Cecile? I thought he would agree with Max. I'm kind of surprised.
ReplyDeleteHe did vote with Max against the motion that was presented to hire additional under qualified staff to work downtown. The candidate, Joshua Beardall, who the superintendent was recommending for a position in talent management appears to be a law school student who wrote about charterizing a public high school. I would say Max's concerns about this man's qualifications are valid!
ReplyDeleteActually, I think the poster was referring to Max's no confidence vote against the Superintendent! I thoughtDave did not believe that she is doing a good job!
ReplyDeleteWhat's in it for Corridors and Strong? Why would they bother to come out in favor of Contreras? There are a number of rumors going around that she is actively looking elsewhere. B. Nolan even made reference to "our next Superintendent" at a recent meeting.
ReplyDeleteMr. Corridors wants to run for the Mayor of Syracuse according to the rumor mill. Consequently, he can give Mr. Strong a job in his cabinet! Truthfully, if Mr. Corridors is serious about running for the Mayor of Syracuse, I believe it would be in his best interest to distance himself from the super!
ReplyDeleteBrian Nolan needs to be realistic, We are stuck fwith her because nobody wants her! Hopefully, the board will not renew her contract! When is her contract up? I believe it is 2016!
ReplyDeleteBrian Nolan is too optimistic! I do not think anyone will hire S C so we are stuck with her until 2016! Then I bet the board will sign her on for another three years. The way I aee it she is here until2019 at best!
ReplyDeleteBrian Nolan is a bully! He sold his soul to the superintendent and now goes around red faced bearing his chest defending her. When she for he goes and take Linda M with you too
ReplyDeleteI soooooooooooooooo agree with the Linda M. thing! She has no contact with children and makes important decisions about them. It's not surprising that all of the K-8 buildings are a mess!
DeleteRumor is the board will give her another 2 years on her contract at the next board meeting. It's an open forum so people need to go and express their objections. Of course she will load it with her people and she has 4 board members who will vote yes.
ReplyDeleteI only know of one board member who will vote :NO"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What can we do?
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