The Board of Education will meet with Superintendent of Schools Judith Palmer at a special meeting Wednesday night and will ask her to stay on for at least another month.
Board of Education Chairman Rose McKinnon said the board will meet with Palmer and it is expected that the board will extend her contract though July 31, with the same salary, fringe benefits and duties in order to complete a performance review.
Palmer’s contract expires Wednesday. It was voided by the school board last month.
The board posted the meeting notice on its website Tuesday afternoon. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Oxford High School Library Media Center.
Click here to download the agenda.
Palmer’s attorney, Leon Rosenblatt of West Hartford, said Tuesday he and Palmer had been informed of the meeting and will be attending.
He said Palmer wants the meeting to be held in public session, not in an executive session, which are closed to the public.
“I’m not a fan of secret meetings,’‘ he said. He said this whole ordeal has caused some “anxious moments for his client,’‘ and said they have yet been told exactly why the contract had been voided. He said he is hopeful a contract can be worked out between the two sides.
Executive session meetings are allowed under certain instances, such as when a government agency is talking about legal strategy.
McKinnon, who began returning calls to local media this week, said the board is not trying to hide anything from the public.
She said the public will have an opportunity to speak about the superintendent at a public hearing (to address a petition signed by 350 residents in support of Palmer) sometime during the week of July 5 and at the board’s monthly meeting on July 13.
“Despite what some people have said, we are not trying to prevent public dialog. The way some people are painting this is just not true,’‘ McKinnon said. “We are just following the law.’‘
In May, the Board of Education met in executive session and abruptly voided Palmer’s contract because of conflicting language and extended it to June 30.
The board did not make known what the conflict was and decided that since it was voted in executive session it need not make its decision public. Palmer was not invited to the meeting.
On June 10, a school board sub-committee met, but could not agree on how to go about an evaluation of Palmer’s performance.
According to the minutes, McKinnon had argued that there had been no written evaluation of Palmer in two years.
Palmer, who attended that meeting, said she was concerned about being evaluated because the newly elected board (it changed from Democrat to Republican controlled in the November election) never set goals for her.
The sub-committee was in agreement it would use goals that had been set by the previous board.
Palmer earns $134,444 a year along with a $6772 annuity and a $3,600 a year car allowance.
I bet no Audience of Citizens because of what the BOE is afraid they will hear from the public!
I’m disappointed by the GOP tactics. When the affordable housing plan was submitted by Garden Homes, the Republicans, led by A. Palmer, fought it in court. The town wasted thousands of dollars in legal fees. The judge required the town to accept the plan because of the state’s affordable housing law anyway. They should have targeted the State Legislature instead.
When the Great Oak Middle School Roof and Solar plan was presented, Republican Richard Burke objected. He didn’t like the grants program the state legislature created. So, lobby the legislature. Don’t stop Oxford residents from benefiting from a program their state taxes support.
Now the Republican Board of Education hires a new attorney and voids a contract with the Superintendent of Schools. This will cost the town thousands of dollars in legal costs, to say nothing of the damage it does to the town’s reputation. If there is a problem with the contract, fix the contract, don’t set up the town for another lawsuit and more legal expenses.
Life-long Republican
Just as I predicted, no Audience of Citizens on tomorrow night’s agenda. What are McKinnon and Macchio afraid of?
I know…the truth!
Life long republican supports none of the republicans initiatives… sounds like it is time for him to change parties? We all know that the Democrats are spending the money – 1.8m on a roof, any costs associated with the current BOE will be the responsibility of the former BOE and their actions along with MADRs zero percent budgets whose legal fees were overbudget by the time the new Board got in office. Maybe Macchio and McKinnon are tired of hearing from the same whining democrats and unelectable former BOE members
Audience of Citizens should be just that for the citizens not political parties to disrupt and confuse the citizens. I wouldn’t want to hear these bunch of cronies anymore than I had to either – congratulations BOE for sticking your ground. Stay focused and complete the job you were elected to do.
The “Truth Detector” doesn’t know much truth. I an not a “He,” and I have not served on any town Boards, let alone the Board of Education. I would suggest that the so-called “truth-detector” has no right to tell me what political party I should support. The personal vitriol that comes across on these pages is disappointing, and it comes from all directions.
The “Truth Detector” doesn’t know much truth. I have not served on any town Boards, let alone the Board of Education. I would suggest that the so-called “truth-detector” has no right to tell me what political party I should support. The personal vitriol that comes across on these pages is disappointing, and it comes from all directions. The issue of the article is the Superintendent’s contract, and MY issue is the legal costs that will result unless the Board of Education resolves this issue without a lawsuit.
Were you so concerned about legal fees when the former board ran them through the roof using the atty for insurance dealings instead of the broker of record? I doubt it. This board got stuck with over 150K in legal costs before they even took office. Did you know that?
I starting to see that there are more republicans in sheeps clothing (RINOS)in this town than there are so called democrats
It makes them feel special so they can say what they believe in is so bi-partisan. If you believe in everything the democrats are doing then why not admit your a democrat? The only reason is so you can infiltrate a party and act as an insider to the other side – kind of a double agent. Then you can say see were not just partisan politicos – it works well and gives the notion you are not political at all when in fact that is all you are
The CURRENT BOE is and will be responsible for all costs associated with the outcome ir potential lawsuit against this BOE because they had it on their power to simply and quickly agree to a language change in the Superintendants contract, but they choose not to. So, it us THEIR actions that have and will result in potentially huge legal costs. They are trying to lay blame because they know they are in the wrong and it will reflect poorly on them.
The CURRENT BOE, especially the Finance Subcommittee, is responsible for the budget shortfall/deficit that is coming because as a bunch of amateurs who have never budgeted before, they didn’t do their research properly and made grave assumptions, which were wrong.
Dave, you are incorrect once again. BOE has been dealt a mess from the previous Board that did nothing but sit there and rubber stamp everything the admin did. The now former business manager was so inept it wasn’t funny. He and the previous Board will hopefully be exposed for the frauds they were. It looks like the clean up has begun lead by McKinnon and will continue until all the dead weeds are gone. If they need to fight with legal costs so be it.
Dear OR & LLR,
Like each of you, the VIS Comments are full of shadow writers. Except for a few decent keyboards, I liken most of the comments to those we use to read in the thankfully defunct oxford-news. When wearing a mask, it easy to say things one would normally be ashamed of. If you’ve not the courage to stand behind your writing, then please don’t pollute the pages of Sentinel.
Concerning the current superintendent issue, I believe Oxford can do better with respect to the operation and management of it’s school district both fiscally and with a strong emphasis … educationally.
I’m simply hard-pressed to understand why either of you, or any of the SOS supporters, condone the lack of fiscal management that has occurred under our current superintendent’s watch. It’s been deplorable, supported by a long list of eveidence. If the OSD was a public or private corporation, the superintendent’s position would have been challenged much sooner.
The superintendent raised issue at last night’s meeting regarding BoE approval of candidates submitted by her for hire. If the past 3 finance directors are evidence of her ability to select a qualified business manager, and if the BoE elects to extend her services … I would recommend placing that specific responsibility in another lap.
Enough on money, let’s shift focus to a more important issue … education as supported by our student’s test scores. I don’t endorse placing much weight on the CAPT scores. Two years (points) of data do not provide a basis for action or decision making. Therefore let’s focus on the CMTs which I weight more heavily anyway because they deal with the early and more important years of a student’s life. I challenge each of you to perform an analysis of the CMT scores over the past 7 years and say you’re satisfied. I would steer you from looking at a state only comparison, and urge you to compare the various grades and disciplines to the other districts in our DRG or to other neighboring towns which you believe set the bar high.
As for our superintendent, as suported by hers,yours, and the actions of the SOS groupies, the manner in which she has chosen to deal with this issue is symptomatic of how she has dealt with most issues … always leading to controversy. Had we spoken, I would have advised her to go before the BoE and simply ask … how have I done, and how can I improve? I believe the board at that point would have been obligated to put forth a set of goals and provide an opportunity to perform. I have no doubt that the controversy which has now been created and risen to fever-pitch … may have closed that door of opportunity.
As for Mrs. Mckinnon, I was tremendously proud of her last night. In front of an unfriendly audience, I believe she acted professional and acted as a leader. As compared to the two previous BoE chairman, Rose is a breadth of fresh air. Without knowing who either of you are, I will say that she has donated more volunteer and meaningful time to our town than both of you combined.
I lastly remind you that it was Rose McKinnon who should single-handedly take credit for the pavilion at Center School. During all the hours she was working to make that happen, all she got from the the superintendent, and BoE chair at that time, was little or no support. Thanks to her sacrifice of many personal hours, Center School children have a safer a more organized manner of closing each school day. As an add-on to this thinking, all of Oxford now has an improved forum for the summer concerts. What have either of you done to match this? Complain with closed eyes??
Respectfully, Dick Burke
Dick…you are blinded by the same Republican animosity towards all unions, especially the Teachers and Administrators. Republicans simply do not like unions or the strengths they have, but it’s the unions that have gotten you and most other hard-working Americans the benefits you currently have. Instead of hating them, you should be praising them, but for you, it’s always a negative towards them.
When you don’t like what is happening, you chastise the parents and residents who make comments and write 7-page letters on why they are wrong, as you did a few years back.
You are a member of the Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility, which complains about the salaries and benefits of municipal and educational workers, so you are a biased individual who simply should be ignored as the local complainer!
Dear OR or shall I refer to you as simply … the Shadow … like old time radio. I think plain old coward suits you best. The coward who, as told to me by one of Oxford’s well known RINOs, played a key role in the sick and perverted Winsted attack on my home back a few years ago. Let your friend take the fall for that one … didn’t we? That’s what cowards do.
So Coward, as to your point and attempt to change the subject, yes I do dislike today’s unions, both public and private … as I do corporate America. Both thrive upon greed, and both are hugely responsible for the now decades old drop in America’s world status and jobs.
I love this country, soon to celebrate it’s 234th birthday. It’s foundation routed in the sacrifice of certain individuals who traveled it’s dirt roads from north to south, as well as abroad, leaving loved ones behind for months and sometimes years. Following on those Founding Fathers’s sacrifices, countless other American’s have shed blood and died in foreign and domestic battles … to give you the right to spit on their sacrifice with your cowardly writings.
I think that our 7th president, one of our greatest, who had much to do with founding the party you probably claim to represent, would be appalled by today’s unions.
I’d love to debate you on today’s “once great” unions, but for now .. let’s simply agree to disagree. One simple and key point I will make however, is that … if they are still so great … why the tremendous decline. Do your reading Coward. What you will find is that every state in this union, and now your seeing it in other countries as well, is suffering under the weight of union greed, non-performance, and the distorted benefits.
Back to the point of these comments, which you have attempted to steer from. Please explain to our readers how you find acceptable … all that has gone on in the Oxford School District over the past 7 years. Tell us that you find Oxford’s CMT performance over these past 7 years acceptable. And if you do, please show us the analysis that you base your argument upon.
As for the efforts of the few good men & women who founded the CMCFR … and I was not one … I am simply a strong supporter … I liken their work and sacrifice to that of our FFs.
Enough for now Coward, and please give Winsted my very best.
Respectfully, Dick Burke