Performance evaluations for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Judith A. Palmer have been excellent and when the budget was tight last year she took a salary freeze.
Those are some of the highlights of the superintendent’s annual evaluations going back to 2006.
Background
Palmer’s contract with the Oxford School District was voided in May, after the school board’s attorney told members Palmer’s contract included language that allowed it to be automatically renewed. That’s illegal, the school board decided.
Palmer’s contract was set to expire June 30. The school board’s move touched off a controversy in town, with some residents saying the school board was merely trying to run Palmer out of town.
Palmer’s employment has been extended through July.
Board Chairman Rose McKinnon said the extension in Palmer’s employment will give the board time to conduct a performance review for Palmer, as required by law.
She said the board can then start talking about whether to issue a new contract for Palmer.
Past Evaluations
Through a request under the state Freedom of Information Act, the Valley Independent Sentinel obtained the last four years of performance evaluations for Palmer.
In 2009, Palmer took a salary freeze and for the second half of the year and also did the job as superintendent and business manager. She also developed an Internet Safety program and developed a partnership between Oxford High School and and Southern Connecticut State University to mentor students.
The evaluation mentions that Palmer had a “situation,’‘ with communication with the business manager (who resigned mid-year). The evaluation asks that she “establish a
meeting schedule,’‘ with the business manager and then send reports to the appropriate school board subcommittee or to the full board.
The Board of Education said Palmer “consistently exceeded expectations.” The board recommended extending her contract for an additional two years, to Aug. 31, 2013.
In 2008, Palmer was given high grades for the opening of the new Oxford High School and for starting an alert system in the schools to notify parents of
emergencies.
At that time the board recommended her contract be extended for three years.
In 2007, Palmer was told she met and “exceeded,’‘ her goals and that she was on top of construction of the high school. She also sent in state reports on time and
developed a program of studies at the high school.
“Her interpersonal and organizational skills, as well as her sincere and caring nature are among a variety of her personal and professional assets,’‘ the evaluation noted.
In her 2006 evaluation, it was noted that Palmer “meets all aspects of planning, management and organization.’‘ She was also given high grades for watching over
the construction at the high school.
“Considering the many facets of this project and constant challenges and hurdles that would arise — Dr. Palmer stayed the course – overcame barriers and is on target. Excellent job,’‘ the evaluation said.
The only negative note in the 2006 evaluation was that the board and the superintendent need to “collaborate on 06/07 goals addressing the explanation
and presentation of budget to the community.’‘
It also noted that Palmer was responsible for getting a $150,000 grant for the high school for a fiber optic cable.
Thank you Joanne Pelton, great story and the truth has been told!
Reading the current events of this situation, this is a refreshing look into this ordeal. There appears to be no organizational quality to the current BOE members, just chaotic blurbs and no substantial evidence of any wrong doing. There well may be some wrong doing, on the part of the BOE.
Have they even looked at curriculum for the coming year? Who is going to suffer? The cost of the litigation should come out of the BOE budget and make the current members liable and accountable for the cost. This is NOT taxpayer money well spent. McKinnon and company need to put this vendetta aside. Start doing the job you were elected to be done. They are making a mockery of the BOE and making the town look foolish.
This story is missing some important facts. Last year’s performance evaluation was a joke written on a blank piece of paper in large font that took up barely a page. From what I understand there was no process in place for a ‘real’ performance evaluations to be done as this Board is trying to put in place which takes months not minutes. Looking at meeting minutes the Board spent less than 45 minutes to discuss the performance evaluation and negotiations of contracts for teachers – does that sound like a thorough evaluation was performed? The previous Board’s obviously were run by members that did little more than rubber stamp the administration’s actions.
This BOE, led by McKinnon and her court (Macchio, Neary, and Lavin), are all putting Oxford on a crash course with a lawsuit if they get rid of Dr. Palmer.
Let’s see if StopTheLies (Macchio) can/will answer a couple of questions:
– Who initiated the look into Dr. Palmer’s contract, McKinnon or the BOE Lawyer?
– How much has been spent on this nonsense?
This BOE is wasting so much money on this issue they could have hired a teacher for what they have spent. Is that fiscal responsibility? NO!
Go ahead StopTheLies, defend this issue and answer the questions if you dare.
Well said, Dad! Interestingly, the check register is no longer available for viewing. I guess the “we want to be up front” has been relegated to the rear! I know that I respect a person who can articulate their views whether I agree with them or not. All the public is asking is…..”What is your ultimate plan for this district, do you have one??”
I find it quite comical That the “truth detector” is questioning the past BOE….from my understanding the current BOE hasnt even done the evaluation and it was to be done back in APRIL!
Unfortunately, the previous board never reviewed contracts as is common practice in most districts but this board has and we are starting to see how badly they were created when left to the previous attorney and previous board. Dad, I will tell you what I have been saying for some time – why was nobody concerned with legal costs that were astronomical from the previous board. feigned outrage Dad? The way I see it the previous board’s action is the cause of a lot of taxpayer dollars going out the window. But I’m sure that will all come to light in good time. As for legal costs those former BOE and ODTC members that are continuing to inundate the Board with frivolous claims are driving up our legal costs as we need to protect the board against such nonsense
STL-ANSWER THE QUESTIONS…..or do you have to wait for the memo from the Chairman to know what you think?
STL (Macchio)…the only reason this is a monetary issue is because the BOE has a Chair that has decided to do things for political reasons and NOT try to correct a simple to fix clause in a contract.
You still have not answered the question, who initiated this issue, the Chair or the BOE lawyer?
Not only has your board wasted enough money to pay for a teachers salary, but your in a deficite because the BOE didn’t budget insurance properly.
I want to thank you all for continuing to put the Board in a position of needing legal counsel to get past your political agenda. The Board needs to protect itself against these frivolous claims. You are only hurting the town in the long run.
I find it interesting you are more concerned with who did what then that the act itself was a good decision – which it was… No, I won’t answer your question because it is irrelevant (kind of like you)
We’ll have to wait and see who the irrelevant one will be, but with you being new to town and having no history here and only trying to cause trouble, you will see where it gets you, just like your buddy August Palmer, he was run out of office when people saw who he really was, just like they will do with you. It just a matter of time and it makes me smile!!! 🙂
and now John Lavin informs us that he is having the board’s attorney summarize the superintendent’s evaluations at what $200 a hour!
To the OR Coward and all the others lurking in his shadow … adults afraid to assign a real name to their diatribes.
In past recent weeks, you’ve written vigorously & negatively concerning the BoE change of attorney, and as well … of wasteful legal spending.
I ask where your concern was when the previous BoE attorney put forth improper advice to illegally spend $500,000+? I ask where your concern was on another occasion when the past BoE attorney put forth improper advice to strike the BoF votes of myself and another BoF member, when all we were attempting to do was safeguard Oxford taxpayer dollars and assure that the school administration and BoE were controlling spending … and spending wisely?? For these two cases alone, how many legal dollars were spent, or more accurately … wasted??? On this 2nd matter, I’d like to remind you that your 1st Select spent a further $1,750 which came out of the town’s budget … only to come to the legal conclusion that the previous BoE attorney offered improper advice. On this 2nd matter, I wish to further remind you that the stance taken by myself and the other BoF member served to save Oxford approximately $375,000.
As for general legal expense, and actions by our school administration, I question how much money and time has been wasted on other matters, such as grievances which needlessly arose to the attorney level?
During the recent SOS public hearing, a distinguished looking gentleman spoke in support of your movement. Everyone cheered. At the end of that event, I spoke with this gentleman and asked him how much reading he had done and familiar he was with the issues at hand. He admitted that he was only familiar with the newspaper articles of the past few weeks and that he had no knowledge of the issues which have arisen during our superintendent’s tenure. In saying good-bye, he stated that he would seek to better understand both sides before offering his opinion. I hope he’s true to his word, even if in the end … we still disagree.
At a recent party, I spoke with a very nice person who fully supported our superintendent and could not understand the actions of the BoE. When I asked this person why they supported the superintendent so strongly … the only response that could be offered was that our superintendent is so nice and she has such a nice smile. These descriptions are both wonderful; however neither has a direct association with the quality or cost of education related to our children.
Our school is a 26 million dollars corporation. Under this CEO, our corporation has suffered from questionable leadership & mismanagement, a lack of strong policies and processes, and most important … a high standard of education. On this last important matter, I suggest you put away your pom-poms and begin to understand the facts. Our students deserve a stronger and more qualified administrator.
To STL, my advice to you is to spend less time engaging with these adults who haven’t the courage to put their names to their writings.
Lastly, let’s put an end to “celebrating diversity” and strive to “celebrate improved education”. In other words, let’s get away from the fluff, and begin focusing on a true metric driven approach to improving the performance of the Oxford School District.
Respectfully, Dick Burke
Lovely facts, Mr. Burke. If that is the case, then please explain why these egregious problems are not openly and publicly discussed. Why the cloak and dagger approach? This BOE may very well have sufficient cause to express concern in Dr. Palmer’s evaluation. Why didn’t they prepare an evaluation? Here in lies the problem…when you do not communicate, as promised in campaigns, then the public is left to guess at motive. JUST BE HONEST, answer our questions and explain what this great “plan” is to move our education in the right direction. There are many excellent and qualified educators in the system who can offer guidance. They may have been surprised by the support. But now, they are seen as incompetent people who do NOT have the best interest of the district or our children and are further unqualified to make the changes they have put forth.
All hail, our savior and self-appointed king, Dick Burke has spoken and we must listen to what he says or else…
Come on Dick, you are playing the same game as you always do and now are accusing others as well.
First of all, stop acting like McKinnon and stop hand-holding Macchio(STL) by telling him when and when not to speak. He is a grown-up and if he wants to act like a fool by laughing at and talking down to the parents and concerned residents as an elected official, then let him do it as that will be his undoing.
As far as lawyer costs are concerned, none would be necessary if this BOE acted in a responsible manner by simply correcting the error in the contract. They decided not to act in a fiscally responsible manner, but instead decided they wanted Dr. Palmer out and cast-aside the costs related to this issue at the expense of possibly more teachers.
You say, where were we when other things were going on, well where were you when you were on the BOF and your First Selectman, Augie Palmer, was having to spend tons of money on all of his issues? We never heard you arguing against all of that spending.
For all you have said over the years against the Unions, Teachers, and Administrators, the only conclusion I can come up with is that you are jealous of them for some reason because for all of the good that they do and have done, you can never say anything positive.
To LynnMarie,
You answer a question with a question. If you’d like a detailed response from me, please respond to some of my questions 1st, and have the decency & integrity to put your real full name to the discussion. Otherwise, I’ll not engage with a ghost.
To OR Coward,
I suspect I know who you are, and thus accept your same old twisted rhetoric. You and I will disagree forever. What I won’t do to you however is enter the threshold of your home with anonymous threats and perverted accusations against decent people who have given much of their personal time to our town.
I am both humbled and amused that you see me as a savior. Coming from you and knowing your view of the world however, the complement is somewhat diminished. All kidding aside, I know you weren’t paying me acompliment. Soooo, as to the “savior” comments, you may try looking in your mirror friend.
As for your union related remarks, rather than wasting more time on you, I simply refer you to my last post to you in one of the earlier VIS articles.
As always – respectfully, Dick Burke
Respectfully,
Dear Dick-
You have my name, why do you need my address and SS number? Don’t question my decency or my integrity, are you in 1st grade? Fine- don’t engage with a “ghost”, I will post my thoughts and opinions as I see fit, you are welcome to respond or not. Once again, avoid the issue Mr. Burke, what is this wonderful plan?? Seems to me the plan is to destroy this town’s educational system.
Sincerely,
LynnMarie
I agree we need to improve educational quality, who wouldn’t. The question is, is this board moving in that direct and how. So far all I can see are cloak and dagger moves designed to produce what? Fine get rid of superintendent, business manager, ass’t to superintendent, ass’t principal at jr. high, high school principal, put off hiring new employees, don’t hold meetings, muzzle residents and keep silent on legal matters that will likely lead to lawsuits but then what? It is easier to knock a building down than build it up. We are in for a long road ahead. And Dick no one cares about a detailed response from you, get over yourself.
Timetogo
Has anyone taken a look at the CAPT scores recently released for Oxford High? If those scores don’t cry out for new leadership, I don’t know what will. With Palmer at the helm, the high school will never receive accreditation.
Let this BOE put in qualified administrators and staff. The time for patronage jobs in the Oxford School District is over.
Mr. Burke, I give you the same advice you give to STL, don’t engage with these people they are not interested in facts. All they want to do is discredit the BoE and BoF because they are run by republicans and they don’t know what else to do. You need to continue to fight for the taxpayers as a member of the BoF and the BoE needs to do what is best for the Oxford education system. Your votes count not their mouths.
PERFECT,Lie Detector! That is exactly the problem, you arrogant political people, once ELECTED into office by the “mouths that mean nothing” think that YOU run this town with no allegiance to the public. Why are you constantly run out of office once people realize your agenda has nothing to do with the betterment of the education of our children? Lie low for a couple of years and then recruit the likes of McKinnon and Macchio to do your bidding. You hide behind “fiscal responsibility” but have no qualms about spending reckless money on legal issues to hide your incompetence. BTW, I am a registered republican, who has NO interest in back room politics. I only care about this town’s reputation and the education of my children. Both of which have been
RUINED by the likes of the current BOE.
LynneMarie, you must be a democrat because you sound so angry and miserable. Being registered republican means little when you have an agenda that is constantly democrat in nature. I don’t believe you that you don’t have an interest in back room politics and I doubt many other people do but keep up your instance that your not political…
If the town’s reputation is ruined by exposing the past board’s incompetence then so be it. This current board, while not perfect, needs to be given a chance to get us back on the right track. The voters knew that changes needed to be made and that is why they voted for new blood. I’m going to reserve judgement and see what they do before chastising them. I can’t imagine them doing a worse job than their predecessors…
The Truth Detector says: “I can’t imagine them doing a worse job than their predecessors…”
Since you brought it up and some keep repeating this, please provide some concrete and specific examples that the previous BOE did that negatively affected the schools or community as the current BOE has done?
Here are some ways the past BOE negatively affected the school system. First of all, they insisted on a zero based budget which was irresponsible. It caused the district to put a freeze on spending mid-year. Schools ran out of paper, and there were no pencils for students. They threatened layoffs among the unions and tried to ram furlough days down the lowest paying staff members while hailing the district administrators to whom they irresponsibly gave 10% raises. They made disparaging remarks about the districts teachers during BOE meetings calling them “witches” among other things. Anyone who wants proof of that can listen to old BOE tapes. All of this caused poor morale among the staff, which filters down into the workplace. The Superintendent with the approval of the BOE repeatedly violated all of the Union’s contracts which caused a number of needless grievances that cost the town money in attorney fees. How about the BOE member arrested for driving under the influence while the BOE has a no tolerance policy? I would think that caused harm to our districts children. It was especially questionable when this same Board member “volunteered” his time teaching CPR and first aid at the High School during this ordeal, and on the towns dime. How about the extra cost to the town while a teacher had to be paid to “supervise” this “volunteer” because he wasn’t a certified teacher. Then we have the wastefulness of teaching an SAT course during the school day at the high school which means we are using a teacher for that period needlessly when they could be used elsewhere. Why are we paying a teacher to teach this course during the day when it is offered through the town? Have I given enough examples? I’m sure there are many of you out there that can give more…