tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post3960193042369791781..comments2023-09-29T06:32:16.005-04:00Comments on My School Committee Blog: Amid reductions, a new schools chief at helmCatherine A. Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-5057496153802314062009-08-28T21:43:48.904-04:002009-08-28T21:43:48.904-04:00On the other hand, allowing Maria Geryk, Director ...On the other hand, allowing Maria Geryk, Director of Student Services (also known as Special Education) to choose the evaluator for HER administration is clearly a conflict of interest because she DOES have something to gain from a report biased in her favor. Has her choice of evaluator been released to the public yet? Did she choose the evaluator herself or was there someone else involved? If so, who was it? How much will it cost? Please don't just say that the bill will be paid out of stimulus money for special education, as if there is nothing better we can do with that money to serve disabled students. Can someone clarify the facts in case I have missed something? Thank you.Tinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-51354996614228593122009-08-26T15:31:19.516-04:002009-08-26T15:31:19.516-04:00wow... find it interesting... hope it'll be be...wow... find it interesting... hope it'll be beneficial for me and my friends...<br /><br />good job done guys... very nice blog.... very interesting and knowledgeble... hope you will post newer content in coming days..Organic baby beddinghttp://www.organicbabywearhouse.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-13143966478241028422009-08-22T22:41:27.911-04:002009-08-22T22:41:27.911-04:00My responses:
Elaine - the consultant was indeed ...My responses:<br /><br />Elaine - the consultant was indeed brought in at that price to avoid going through the bid process. However, two key things here. First, there is NO WAY an outside consultant who did not personally know the superintendent would spend 10 days for $5,000 - it was a personal favor. Second, the committee did not ask for such a review/consultant -- the superintendent felt it would be informative to him to have such a report. It is hard for me to imagine how/why he would have hired someone to produce a biased report ... or what he would gain from having such a report? I guess I'm not sure why the fact that he knew the consultant previously meant that he would tell the consultant what to find? I'm just not sure why anyone would have such a motivation?<br /><br />Anonymous 11:11 - the district paid nothing else. Hence the huge deal it was for us.<br /><br />Elaine - point well-taken -- no need to apologize! However, it is VERY clear that if Dr. Rodriguez had put the outside review out to bid, we would have paid far, far more than $5,000, and we likely would still have have that info (since the contact would not have even gone out to bid in early July, let alone choosing among bids and having the work done). And I think time is of the essence. It is also important to note that the SC did NOT ask for such a review -- Dr. Rodriguez felt it would be the fastest way for him to get thorough info on the district, which would then inform him about goals/priorities for his first year (which I think seems very wise). Ultimately, this is the superintendent's call/decision, NOT the SC's.<br /><br />Anonymous 12:58 - Dr. Rodriguez is our superintendent at the moment, and I imagine for at least his three year contract, and possibly longer. It is in ALL of our best interests that he succeed, and I certainly will help him do that to the extent I can. I hope the community can at least give him a chance (again, he's had less than two months at the job).<br /><br />Anonymous 9:41 - as noted above, zero.Catherine A. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-40148736604000617552009-08-21T21:41:12.424-04:002009-08-21T21:41:12.424-04:00"The $4,999 was the consultant's fee. How..."The $4,999 was the consultant's fee. How much did the district pay for hotels, meals, transportation, and other expenses?"<br /><br />May I second this question and ask for a reply?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-55497892587457061162009-08-20T12:58:07.115-04:002009-08-20T12:58:07.115-04:00Elaine,
You are way too kind. Please don't f...Elaine,<br /><br />You are way too kind. Please don't feel a need to apologize for a "knee jerk reaction." Many times first impressions are the most accurate. Our hostess, although being very professional in her responses and attempting to salvage her fellow board members' mistaken selection, also had a first impression. One, from my observations of A-Rod, which is also proving correct, unfortunately for the Town.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-58854597995445419332009-08-20T11:24:46.048-04:002009-08-20T11:24:46.048-04:00After my post, I've been reflecting and I feel...After my post, I've been reflecting and I feel bad for such a negative, knee jerk response.<br /><br />Actually in most fields, folks are going to have relationships some close AND<br />I was actually happy the new superintendent was acting so quickly. <br />It's just the comments he's made about overrides have rubbed me the wrong way and the appearance that the fee may have been set to avoid going out to bid....in these fiscal times, actually in any fiscal times when people are using tax dollars, it bothers me.<br /><br />The credentials of the consultant appear stellar and if the SC did feel that that trumped the personal relationship, I want to trust that. <br /><br />But I do think the bidding process would have alleviated that concern I have about pre-selecting someone whose ideas may be reflective of the results one wants.<br /><br />As for my comment about the research and the data....that was a bit mean spirited but I am sooo tired of feeling that funds get spent avoiding systems set up to ensure that tax dollars are used responsibly. So for that I apologize.<br /><br />I hope the new Superintendent is successful and that our schools can continue to grow. But, please, take seriously your charge to spend other people's money (tax dollars) responsibly and within the guidelines and regulations set up to ensure such responsibility.<br /><br />thanks, E. <br />problem with blog postings, too easy to react emotionally and I succumbed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-51806142157944040402009-08-20T11:11:29.208-04:002009-08-20T11:11:29.208-04:00The $4,999 was the consultant's fee. How much...The $4,999 was the consultant's fee. How much did the district pay for hotels, meals, transportation, and other expenses?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-7318111030261487772009-08-20T11:06:59.752-04:002009-08-20T11:06:59.752-04:00Is it true that anything under $5K doesn' t ha...Is it true that anything under $5K doesn' t have to go out to bid? <br /><br />And if the SC wants objective data did you think it worth questioning the use of former supervisor of new superintendant or is it all ok because of the consultant's credentials and you are sure that the personal relationship was not a factor in choice of consultant? <br /><br />Any consideration being given to the idea that perhaps the new superintendent knew what outcomes he'd prefer to have a report support and knew that the research his former supervisor provides would support his desired outcomes?<br /><br />It seems to me it would have been better to have a consultant who had no former relationship with new superintendent who is still an unknown to us.<br /><br /><br />I hate to be cynical but am very wary of "research" in fields that can be based on which data one chooses to review. <br /><br />ElaineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-18021152702746940482009-08-19T23:01:24.119-04:002009-08-19T23:01:24.119-04:00Anonymous 9:17 - the cost of the consultant was $4...Anonymous 9:17 - the cost of the consultant was $4,999.Catherine A. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-60099835298402333012009-08-19T21:17:28.870-04:002009-08-19T21:17:28.870-04:00"First, he brought in an educator he knew and..."First, he brought in an educator he knew and trusted to spend 10 days in Amherst, reviewing data and talking to administrators,..."<br /><br />Do we know what that cost us?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com