Remain politically independent.
But stay actively engaged in the community at every level.
Those are two of several qualities town officials and residents are looking for in a new superintendent for Oxford Public Schools.
The attributes were iterated Monday evening during a community forum at Oxford High School.
The forum was hosted to identify the features Board of Education members should look for in their search for a new superintendent.
Judith Palmer, the town’s previous superintendent, left in August amid controversy. The position has been filled through the end of the year by Interim Superintendent James Connelly.
The forum drew 16 parents and was one of three conducted with school officials and the community by Margery Clark, a consultant from the New England School Development Council, based in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
She will report a summary of her findings to the Board of Education over the next week.
Attributes
Experience with towns similar to Oxford is high on the wish list.
“Since Oxford is a very young town, meaning we just got a high school, I would like to see a superintendent who has actually brought a town from the new stages and grown that town to having things other established towns like Monroe or Trumbull have currently,” said parent Tina Aldo. “They should be someone with experience of bringing a new town up through all their growing pains, successfully,” she said.
The superintendent needs to have an affinity for all students, not just the top achievers, another parent said.
“We need someone who is familiar with not just Ivy League-bound students, but all kinds of learners,” said parent Sara Locke.
First Selectman MaryAnn Drayton-Rogers said she is looking for excellent communications skills, someone who works well with other governmental officials.
“I’d like someone with a clear educational focus who can listen to the residents of our community, and I would like the students to always be recognized and taken into consideration,” Drayton-Rogers told the consultant.
Reducing costs should also be a priority, according to Richard C. Burke, a member of the Board of Finance.
Improving education in Oxford is important for former teacher Grace Hanneken.
“I’d like someone who connects with students and teachers, parents and the community, and brings people together with one focus and that’s to better educate the students of Oxford,” she said at the forum.
Help Wanted
The advertisement for the position is running on the school board’s website.
It describes Oxford as a fast-growing town, sprouting from a population of 2,500 10 years ago to 12,321 today. It points out the Oxford Public Schools serve 2,200 students pre-K-12 in four sites, with a district budget of $25.4 million.
There are 173 certified staff and 98 other employees for a total of 271 staff members.
The ad refers to a multi-year contract offer and a start date of January 2011.
The closing date for response to the ad is Dec. 3.
To Tony Spinelli,
You left early and missed a great deal of the discussion.
Concerning your single line take on my input, I’d like to expand a bit such that folks don’t simply believe that cost reduction is, and was, my only input or concern for the Oxford School District.
Concerning the cost aspect, my input was taken from an article written by Dr. Armand Fusco, who is a retired educator who also rose to the superintendent level. Upon his retirement, and based on his working experience, Dr. Fusco recognized a need to improve how monies are spent within our school districts. While Dr. Fusco’s article does speak to cost reduction, his emphasis is moreso on wise and efficient spending … for the best of the students and the taxpayers. His philosophy is that supperintendents, administrators, and even the entire school district staff need to be cost conscious. This is not to say that he, nor I, place cost emphasis before a high education standard.
Had you stayed for the entire session, you would have also heard that I share what was a common call for emphasis on best curriculum.
When the moderator asked for input concerning what our new superintendent should accomplish in their 1st six months, I stated that I felt this person should develop a documented detailed education plan, which included specific tasks to address raising Oxford’s education standard and performance, improving fiscal transparency and reporting, addressing future capacity issues, and lastly addressing a long list of overdue maintenance. I stated further that this plan should include milestones and goals, and that the superintendent should report on this plan to the BoE and public … no less than on a quarterly basis.
What’s very important in this search, is that the BoE does not settle for some other school districts cast off.
As for this search effort initaited by the current BoE … I applaud them.
On a closing note, after all the “TO DO” by Dr. Palmer’s supporters … I was dumb founded by the low participation in last night’s community focus group meeting, especially knowing the extent to which this BoE went to make it known.
On a positive note, maybe it’s a sign that the community and parents places trust in this current BoE. I hope so.
Respectfully, Dick Burke
Where are all those concerned citizens who felt this BOE was not giving them an opportunity to voice an opinion? Is this a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation for our BOE? It’s sad for the town that most of the complainers have nothing of substance to offer to the community. It is clear these outraged residents would rather spend their time sending looney toon Letters to the Editor, and harass public officials than actually be a part of a process that would allow them some say in an important issue.
Why would any supporter of Dr. Palmer want to participate in this game? This is only a show to make it look like they are trying to do something positive, when in reality, it’s all smoke and mirrors (where have I heard that before?).
Positive steps by the BOE would be:
– to have open, honest meetings where residents are free to ask questions.
– to have BOE members supporting initiatives that benefit the school system instead of working against it (Republican BOE members against the Solar Panel project).
– to not have BOE members mocking concerned community members when they try to ask questions.
– to not have BOE members writing attack letters against residents because those residents are concerned with an issue.
– to remember, they were elected by the people, they serve the people, and they can be kicked out by the people.
All of those who serve on Boards and Commissions, whether elected or appointed, need to have thick skin and remember they are a representative of the town and were placed into a position of authority, so they need to act like they deserve to be there as well. Sometimes, these people, need to suck it up and take the abuse, and move on.
Mad: It seems you contradict yourself when you say people should suck it up and move on.It would appear that the BOE is having open, honest meetings where the residents are not only free to ask questions, but are able to take part in making a decision on this important issue. Certainly having a search team choose the leader of a school district is a beneficial initiative. As far as attacks go, letter form, or other I believe it is the members of the BOE being harassed by a small, but caustic politically motivated faction…not the other way around.
Rachel…You are way off on many points and we can handle them one by one, so let’s start with the first and most important one.
Open and Honest meetings by the BOE?
Here is a simple question, at what regular BOE meetings are residents allowed to ask questions to BOE members that pertains to ANY topic related to the BOE?
I must be of the minority, but so be it. I applaud the current BOE for reviewing contracts, forming focus groups, and working diligently to correct the unfortunate hidden problems of the previous administrators. There are many problems that will be addressed as they unfold after the previous administrators left, There was never any follow up before, just a lot of sweeping under the rug.
Mad: the only thing this BOE is doing differently with regard to questions during meetings is to require you be put on the agenda first…not so different from many other communities. Personnel issues have always, to my knowledge, been handled in executive session. They have done nothing wrong, or under handed, according to the State, and the FOI, even though some relentless, needy for attention residents have tried to make a case out of the procedure. The fact that there is a search where resident input is welcome illustrates the door is open….
Rachel…up until the current BOE, questions were never restricted to agenda items only because the BOE was never scared to face the public before, like they currently are. If they were not scared about being asked questions, they would have open dialogue, which they don’t. They even have it in their bylaws to have open dialogue, but they are choosing to ignore it now.
Their current policy is an impingement on free speech and it appears you are ok with our rights being taken away from us. I feel sorry for you because if you feel not being able to ask questions about any topic is ok, then you must have a lopsided view on society.
Think about it, let’s say ALL Boards and Commissions adopted this policy, then residents wouldn’t be able to ask anything unless they were given permission to, which would make it easy for these same Boards and Commissions to hide their short-comings because they would be abswerable to nobody.
I guarantee you if the Board of Selectmen stopped answering questions or limiting residents rights to ask questions, most people including many who post here would crucify them.
Mad:save your sympathy, I am far from an object of pity, and consider the source in the area of sarcasm. No one’s free speech has, or is being violated. You throw out buzz words in the hope of enraging those that don’t think about what you are actually saying. Complaints to the State have not found the BOE to be in violation, and you know that as well as I. What you seem to me to be angry about is you cant stand up at meetings and blast the BOE for what some with political motives view as grievances. I am embarassed by the residents who send poorly written, often strange, and cryptic letters, and round up gangs to shout about something to make themselves feel powerful. I am sickened by the tactics that some of your like-minded friends have been involved in…hopefully, not you. This cannot and should not be condoned, or thought of as you say,as abuse that goes with the job; no one, least of all, one who gives of their time without pay, should be treated poorly. I stand by the one and only point I attempted to make…if you, or others like you haven’t been heard, joining in the Supt.Search would have been an excellent opportunity for you to do something constructive. In my opinion, you enjoy looking for things to complain about, and I wish you’d take a piece of your own advice an move on.
MadHatter,
I couldn’t agree with you more on your point about allowing the citizens the right to discuss any concern(s) at any and every BOE meeting. When comments or questions are not allowed, it can easily be assumed that the BOE members are a bit intimidated, hence the reason why this particular board has planted many rules.
A side note: I was wondering why BOE members were not present at the meeting that was open to the community regarding hiring a new superintendent. I had heard for weeks the constant, “It doesn’t seem to matter what this community wants, so why bother going on Monday? If the BOE members literally cared about what their town citizens wanted, they would show this in every single BOE meeting.” Fantastic comments and certainly something to think about.
I couldn’t agree with you more….MadHatter! It was a “joke” of a focus group but I participated because I was giving the BOE another chance to be the committee that they say they are….transparent and for the kids! For those of you who may not know, the BOE had their OWN private focus group with the same NEASC representative. Why I wonder, did they need to be separated from the community? Their focus group list should be made available upon request. The BOE will get a list of “recommendations” from the other focus groups and then follow their own agenda as usual. There is not ONE person from the community on the HIRING committe for the new Super, nor is there a teacher, administrator, or parent on the committee. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that the community has ANY part of the hiring process. The BOE and the BOE alone will determine this major, significant position.
As there is only one BOE member with a degree and experience in actually educating children (athletic director not classroom), this is an incredibly arrogant and draconian approach. I can’t wait for elections 2011.
Hello Rachel,
Have been out of town, so at last … a note of recognition for your positive tone.
– – – – –
Hello all others,
Will try to remain respectful as possible …
To Ms. Georgette / Although, we agree on HOPE being a positive term, most who know me would find your linkage between myself and Democratic as nothing but amusing.
As to all your verbiage related to Dr. Palmer, let’s be serious. Dr. Palmer had been looking to leave Oxford for some time; I venture to say even before the current board assumed elected responsibility. With help, and in her usual way, she manipulated a collection of well meaning supporters who were deceived and/or misinformed at times. As for instance, you and many played the late performance evaluation card in the attempt to discredit the current BoE. The now published fact is that, at the same time you were placing so much heat of the board for a late performance evaluation, just maybe … DrP was in the background asking them to hold off.
You, I, and Lynn Marie, whoever she may be, have gone round-and-round on test scores. On this most important matter, I hold that Dr. Palmer brought no improvement to an area where Oxford has been deficient. Aside from the fluff factor, the only area where she added value … was to create town wide stress, brought on by fiscal and political games. I also add that the previous BoE helped to facilitate this. Per the link below, my “added value” thinking is ironically similar to possible past performance in Winsted school district prior to being brought to Oxford.
http://www.thevoicenews.com/news/2002-11-08/Winsted/W02.html
One should venture into exactly how and why Dr. Palmer came to be in Oxford.
In a recent post, you wrote, “I am a newer Oxford resident. I am chair of the ODTC. I am a business person. I evaluate. Then I make decisions.”.
What I read there was a great deal of I, I, I, I, and more I. Makes me wonder about all that “I”.
My impression of what you are is just another in a long string of recent Democratic Chairpeople. I’m being gender sensitive such to not disparage (DrP term) some who read this blog. Some of the many chairs who have resigned, did so … driven by a sense of right and wrong. Recent democratic email traffic attests to this. Maybe we can file a complaint with the FOI Commission to expose some of these?
I embrace the fact that the ODTC has now chosen you to be that long list. It will simply serve to make a 2011 RTC victory all the more certain.
If you are the person you claim to be, you’ve failed to do your homework before writing most of your posts.
– – – – –
To MAD(?)Hatter and the rest / Each of you continuously strive to write from the toilet, and I have no doubt that all of you may know who was responsible for the gazebo incident; one may be directly involved. As I’ve stated repeatedly, the fact that you write this negative rhetoric, while hiding behind an anonymous pen name, eliminates giving credence to anything you write.
In the past, even though your actions contributed to it, you complained about not being permitted to speak. Today, the BoE seeks your input and you criticize.
You’ve used children to support your agendas. You say respect the child’s input. While I do respect our children and what they have to say, I also recognize that they have not been fully educated, they have not fully matured, they do not know what it is to earn a living, and they have not raised a family. With regard to the superintendent issues that have dealt with, and are currently being dealt with, in the best interest of the immature minds we seek to develop … those immature minds have no place in the decision making
If you are truly concerned about our school district, and more importantly … our students … open your eyes and recognize the positive steps that are taking place.
Respectfully, Dick Burke.
Ms. Georgette,
No games here … only reality.
You’ve told us that you evaluate and then make decisions.
… Dick Burke
Oh, yee of little faith.
Correction Ms Georgette … the damage was done seven years ago … and has now been repaired.
The road blocks you and the other gazebo fanatics keep erecting serve no good purpose.
… and you say it’s about the children?
Shame, shame, shame …
Again, GN&GB;, Dick Burke
What damage has been done? Maybe if you elaborate citizens can decide if what you say is damaged was caused by the BOE, or by corrupt local politicians, and the people whom they’ve given jobs? We can’t give up on our children because a supt.leaves the district. Surely, all of you that are so focused on the kids would agree that if there is a problem it needs to be addressed. What is it you and the others who hate the BOE members see as problems in the district?
Nice to have you back, Dick.
…. Any problems listed are certainly not the “fault’ of the current BOE. This district has many problems in the education department, such as crumbling buildings, no curriculum director, severe lack of technology and the list goes on. The PROBLEM is the BOE itself. Aside from the JP situation….it’s over move on, this BOE is secretive,arrogant and disrespectful. In order to fix the many issues the BOE needs to work WITH the community to build this system. You and DB will say that there are only a few people “against” the BOE but THAT is where you are mistaken. This wonderful comunity would work with a BOE if given the chance. The reason no one shows up to the fake focus groups, nor BOE meetings is beacuse it is the general feelling that it doesn’t MATTER because they will not listen and do what they want. That is not the way to do business in this town. We are much better than that.
LynnMarie…you are 100% correct, if it wasn’t for the arrogance of the characters on the BOE, more people would want to get involved and maybe work WITH the BOE. Thank you for your comment because someone finally speaks the truth!
So you say the damage is that the BOE is arrogant, and not listening to the people. I hope you are mature, and open-minded enough to appreciate that others would say the same about the present selectwoman and her followers. For the sake of argument we can agree to disagree.
I meant what egregious things have they done?
For example:
Has anyone traded on his/her position to procure a job for themselves, or other family/friends;perhaps even a job they weren’t qualified for?
Has anyone violated executive session rules, or tried to prevent other members from attending, or voting at a meeting?
Has anyone used children, or organizations to forward their own political agenda?
Has anyone been party to filing complaints that waste the taxpayers money?
Has anyone been irresponsible enough to put party politics before the welfare of children and staff by increasing class size to present a zero budget in an effort to gain reelection for his/her candidate?
Has anyone been convicted of a crime, and not been ethical enough to step down?
Has anyone been involved in criminal mischief, pointed at harassing and intimidating another public figure?
My point, lest it be lost on those that want to stay in the mire, is that if people can’t come together for a common good than dadinOxford’s comment really isn’t true.
Real work needs to be done and the nonsense, name calling, and finger pointing needs to end.
You got me there , Rachel. I am obviously out of the inside loop because I have NO IDEA what you are talking about. My basic tenant, and it happens to be very mature one, is that I am a non-political person who is trying to do the best for this town, and it’s children. I rest my case that the inmates are running the asylum. I will have no further interaction and will wait til 2011. GB≷
I certainly have no inside information. Everything thing I listed sans the names has been in the media, and the minutes.