VIDEO: Oxford Public Hearing

1. I think this is terrific and thank Comcast for providing this public service. Let people see for themselves and make their own judgements.

2. I’m not sure why this online news source continues to distort the facts of this case. There were not more than 400 signatures but 350. Reporting continues being biased as STL mentioned last week. Why?

3. Finally, the masses will now be able to see for themselves how poorly this BOE is acting toward not only the concerned attendees, but to all of the residents of Oxford who elected them. Thank God for Public Access!

4. This “online news source” is correct in its FACT. Additional pages of more certified signatures were sent to the BOE Chairman after the first batch of certified signatures was sent, bringing the total number of petition signatures to over 400.

5. Hey Brett, Don’t you think the masses already know about you and your antics? And Amy Cote and her elk are political power brokers for the democrats and republican wanna be dems – this site is just a blog post for the DTC. Not aware of many who follow it not associated in some way or another with them..

6. Mr. Nancy says he is going to file an ethics complaint against me – ooohhh I am so scared… This guy and his wife have a lot of time on their hands. Eventually, people (like the state BoE did) will get tired of their nonsense. Ms. Sherman is upset because she is being exposed for doing little on the former board and for the record my term expires 2013 – look forward to your support over the next few years…

7. I hope the reporter investigated that point – more petitions certified at a later date than the June 17 ones that were submitted? I hope they are not just taking somebody’s word for that. Like the ‘Hundreds at Rally…’ when every other news source said 150 or the ‘More than 100 at the recent hearing…’ when every other news source said 60-70…

8. Oxford’s BOE is a joke, specifically Maccio and McKinnon. Their poor conduct and lack of respect for taxpayers is comical and ignorant.

9. “thetruthdetector,” petitions were certified on June 17 and July 2, 2010. Check in the Town Clerk’s office. It is a fact, over 400 signatures were certified.

10. According to the Truth Detector, this is a DTC blog. Well, not being a Democrat and knowing a lot more who post here are not Democrats, I guess the only truths that the Truth Detector believes are in his own mind. The truth is that the people who post here are concerned residents and parents who see what the current BOE is doing to the morale of the school system and our community. Their actions, actually their inactions, are becoming very public and it will be their undoing.

    As far as Macchio, sure we have to deal with him until 2013, but like any fly on a wall, eventually the fly is eliminated.

11. Many obviously do not agree with the BOE. As an Oxford taxpayer, I am glad they are reviewing a contract that has an illegal clause. The superintendent had great reviews by the previous BOE who also allowed her contract to automatically renew. May have been an oversight, but they also had an attorney look at this contract. If it’s illegal it’s illegal. Congratulations to the BOE for looking out for the best interest of the taxpayers. It is about time we had people in office willing to make a few enemies to correct a problem.

12. WhatNext…you are thankful that instead of choosing to make a simple correction in the language of a section of the contract that you would prefer the BOE to spend in excess of $30,000+ on this issue? You think that they are acting in a fiscally responsible way? They will have spent enough money on this issue that could have been used for a new teacher. For this, you are thankful?

13. One quick comment: Oxford High School has a dress code for students which prohibits the wearing of a baseball cap, like the one the vice-chair is wearing, inside the school. I would also expect and hope that if a student showed up wearing a dress/shorts which the recording secretary is wearing they would be sent home to put on respectable attire.

14. How could the previous BOE continue to give the Superintendent such excellent evaluations when she has made such questionable decisions during her tenure. For instance, lets look back to when she reassigned a long time district employee who was head of Technology and replaced her with a friend who is making a much higher salary. The reason given at the time was because the district was going in a “different direction.” Yet, the school system as a whole is dealing with old technology which is something this district is trying to correct. Oh and by the way, the new tech guy is making alot more than a teachers salary. Next, we let’s address the hiring of the maintenance head for the district who was another Palmer “acquaintance.” During his watch, three fires occurred at GOMS and an OSHA inspection revealed several violations. Then there was the
    threat of layoffs in the district. While the Superintendent was threatening to layoff secretaries if they did not take furlough days, she hired “K”athy Weisgable to work in Central Office. Does she have a degree in business management or finance? Of course the hot issue too is the VP position at Great Oak Middle School. There was a 1/2 time VP serving in the position when the Superintendent requested that the position be full time. Virginia Willetts, the 1/2 VP was well liked by students, parents, and staff. She had been in the district for her entire career and had served in many administrative capacities before becoming VP. She coached GO students for years and served as athletic director as well as advising yearbook and the 8th grade class. Every staff member in the Middle School sent letters of recommendation to the Supt. and Board of Ed. asking that she be given the position full time as morale was high. Yet, the position was given to someone with no administrative experience and no experience teaching at the Middle School Level. The reason given…she interviewed better. Could it be that she was a golfing buddy of the Superintendent? Now let’s take a look at the high school. Dr. Palmer hired a principal with no experience in opening a new school. He had no experience with the accreditation process, and to top it off the Superintendent hired a Vice Principal who had not even completed his administrative degree at the time he was hired. I believe we are beginning to see the results of the inexperience of these administrators with the past two years of CAPT scores. These are but a few reasons the last BOE should have taken a serious look at the Superintent’s evaluation. They did not do the job that they were elected to do, and yet they chastise the current BOE for having to clean up the mess. We need to let this BOE do the job they were elected to do, and put in a leader who will serve our children and community and not her own self interests.

15. OxfordResident, I used “glad” but thankful will do. Yes, thankful someone will stand up and investigate an obvious wrongdoing.
    The previous attorney who signed off on the contract should be held accountable for mistakes and/or illegal automatic renewals, and the costs associated with correcting the problem.

16. “timetogo” brings up some interesting points. I would like to add that the playground inspection done in 2008 indicated that there are issues with the schools’ playgrounds which should be addressed, but those issues were not addressed by the previous BOE. Was the safety of our children not of any importance to the previous BOE or the Superintendent?

17. Concerned Citizen…..I looked back in the BOE records…the funny thing I found out…the person who SHOULD have known about and SHOULD have told the BOE regarding playgrounds, repairs, etc (since she was also part of the committee who put together the capital plan) was the former facilities subcommittee chair, Rose McKinnon. Just an FYI.

18. To all that are supporting the BOE, thats fine, we are all entitled to our opinions…what I think the video was to show was the arrogance, rudeness and complete disregard for the people who were speaking that night. Members of the BOE were seen laughing, talking, and not even listening to their constituents.

19. What I find interesting and very questionable is how the BOE hired the Facilities Manager guy (the previous title was Facilities “Supervisor”) who came to BOE meetings regularly complaining about shoddy work and neglected facilities. The man who complained the loudest, ended up getting the former guys job. Doesn’t seem very fair. I bet Mr. Oczkowski didn’t ask for the top three resumes of that job before he was hired either. As the saying goes, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

20. Thanks for the info, Tired38. Not having an opportunity to look back at the old records as you have, I cannot agree or disagree with you. However, assuming you are correct about Mrs. McKinnon being the former facilities subcommittee chair, I cannot agree that she and she alone would be the one to blame. I would think that it was not a subcommittee of one person.

21. WOW TTG…you are a miserable, nasty person who seems to have a plethora of “inside” information….I wonder why? The POINT is that beside trashing others, if the BOE has reason for dismissal, and JP is SO heinous, then by all means…FIRE HER…but do it in a civilized, honorable manner. They are making a mockery of this town and the educational system. Do the right thing and be forthright with the community. What a MESS they have created. I feel most for the school children of Oxford.

22. LynnMarie,
    I am not a “miserable” person. I am merely expressing an opposing view to those who do not know all of the facts. I do not have “inside” information. Anyone can regularly attend BOE meetings and read minutes of the meetings. If you live in Oxford, much of this information is well known. As far as the new facilities manager, I am thrilled he was given the job to protect our children. He was an electrician working in the schools previously. He noticed many serious problems that needed to be addressed and repeatedly discussed them with the then facilities manager and the Superintendent. When he continued to be ignored, he went to the local press. The fires at GOMS and OSHA investigation proved him to be correct. What better person to put in the job than a person who is willing to put himself on the line and risk losing the business of the Oxford School System, to keep our children and staff safe. I thank our BOE for having the insight to hire him.

23. I would love to know when the public is going to catch on that Mr Spruck, who seems to be a very loud supporter of this BOE is married to Rita Spruck, the payroll person for the BOE…

24. And could it be that Ed is acting as a conduit for an unhappy employee whom may be unhappy for possibly not being rewarded with a particular “thing”?

25. Well TTG, I did check the minutes and I am a town resident privy to “information” and there was no mention of whom the Superintendent plays golf with nor the stipends that Virginia Willets receives for all those activities she does in addition to teaching PE, with an assistant. Morale high? That’s a laugh. Furthermore, it is also well known that the entire staff and parents wrote to the current BOE in regard to cutting the VP position, none of which have been read for some reason during the correspondence portion of meetings. So TTG, stick to your “opinion” and get your “facts” straight.

26. Why is it that anytime someone sends in a well written letter or states factual information they are suspected of ulterior motives? Are people threatened by the truth? Mr. Spruck has the right to state his opinions just as some others have done repeatedly. His wife is a district employee… so what. She has stayed mute on this matter. If anything, I would think that her husband’s comments against Dr. Palmer have made for an uncomfortable work environment for her. It would be nice if the SOS people would allow others to express their opinions without always looking for ulterior motives and/or name calling. These are some of the same things you are accusing the current BOE of doing.

27. LynnMarie
    You only need to be a parent in the Oxford school district to know that Virginia Willetts has taught P.E., Computer Tech, served as athletic director, track coach, girls basketball coach, girls softball coach, girls soccer coach, 8th grade yearbook advisor, 8th grade class advisor, and 1/2 Vice Principal during one time or another during her career in the district. You do not need to find this information in BOE minutes. Secondly,if morale was not high why would letters be written by the teachers at GOMS recommending that she be given the position full time? Lastly, are you sure EVERY staff member at GOMS signed the letter to keep the current VP at Great Oak School? Have you seen it and verified it with the staff list at the school? Can you tell me why a person with no experience and no certification in teaching at a Middle School Level would be given the job over someone who had the qualifications listed above and the support of staff, students, and parents? I will also remind you that if check the BOE minutes, you will also find that letters of recommendation for Virginia Willetts were never read in public either. Why are you so hostile?

28. Sure these lousy, miserable, nasty people are those supporting the ODTC like LynnMarie and Rita (Debbie/Becky)their partisan attacks not poor Mr. Spruck or Mrs. McKinnon or TTG. They expose their nastiness day after day and the Oxford citizens know who they are and ignore them Mr. McKane. The first selectmen exposed herself in that nasty letter she spewed in Voices this week.

29. Golfer… is that you Glenn?

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