More than 100 residents — many angry with the Board of Education’s handling of Superintendent Judy Palmer’s contract — attended the board’s public hearing on the issue Wednesday.
When it was over, many were more angry than when they arrived.
That’s because the board refused to answer any questions from those who signed up to speak at the hearing.
The call of the meeting was to “receive comments pursuant to an elector’s petition” asking the board to “enter into good faith negotiations” with Palmer.
Palmer did not attend the meeting.
“The board will hear only comments and will not answer any questions,” board chairman Rose McKinnon said.
Each speaker was limited to two minutes. Many were cut off at the end of that limit.
McKinnon also interrupted several speakers deemed to be too critical of the board and whose comments she said veered from the topic of the hearing.
One of those was Patty Severson, a former board chairman who has been vocal in her support of Palmer.
“I am very angry with the actions of this board,” she said. “You have been riddled with secrecy for the past eight weeks, you have refused to answer any questions and your actions toward Dr. Palmer have been unethical and cruel.”
Because of a lack of information from the board as to what is going on, residents have been forced to draw their own conclusions, Severson said, and those conclusion include the perception that there is an effort underway to unseat the superintendent.
In May the board, after a lengthy executive session, voided Palmer’s contract, because of a legal technicality in its language that would have automatically renewed the contract.
On June 30, the day the contract expired, the board extended it until July 31 to allow an evaluation of the superintendent to take place. But board members reportedly only received the evaluation packets Tuesday night at the board’s monthly meeting, leading some to question whether the July 31 deadline can be met.
“We aren’t allowed to ask questions, so all we can do is comment on rumors,” said parent Allison Caferty.
One of those rumors is that the board intends to replace Palmer with retired Seymour superintendent Eugene Coppola, she said, despite the petition submitted to the board with hundreds of signatures urging the elected officials to keep Palmer on.
“All of us are here to support Dr. Judy Palmer,” Caferty said.
Selectman Dave McKane questioned why the school board refused to answer questions. The Board of Selectmen, upon which he now sits, and the Planning and Zoning Commission, of which he is a former member, both voluntarily answer questions during hearings, he said.
“It has always been the practice [of both boards] to field questions,” he said. “What are you afraid of?”
The friction between the board and the community is bad for both, Oxford Center School teacher Nancy Cersonsky said.
“I have taught many of your children and I know that you care about education,” she told the board. “We shouldn’t be at loggerheads but we are.”
Clearly mistakes have been made on how the issue has been handled, she said, and the board should owe up to those mistakes and move on.
“We need to stop being so adversary,” she said. “I think you arrived at the wrong decision but with the right intentions.”
This Board, actually no, this group of divisive individuals don’t have the guts to answer any questions. They are a poor excuse for a BOE and WILL be voted out next November.
They have dug a hole for themselves for which they cannot escape. To hold a Public Hearing and not say anything is a disgrace and shows you the LACK OF RESPECT for the parents and residents of Oxford. We voted them in and will vote them OUT!
If Dr. Cappolla does get the job, you have to ask yourself why? Could it be that the Vice Chairman is his SON-IN-LAW!!!
All I can say is this Board has now created a drive that I will carry with me to November and will do EVERYTHING in my power to unseat every one of them that are up for election!!!
Nice biased reporting again Kate!
BOE Member Macchio (i.e StopTheLies)…I guess every paper is biased then because they are ALL reporting the same thing. Your behavior last night was an embarrassment not only to you, but to all of Oxford and you should be embarrassed. Laughing at parents and concerned residents is a disgrace and says alot about how you view the world.
This BOE is an embarrassment to all who are elected to serve because all you have done is been divisive and what you believe is good for the Chair and your party, but it has backfired and each of you will be held responsible!
Kate did report what she saw and what she heard. The view from the audience is very different then what the majority of BOE members perceive their image to be–it is so sad to see how the town, the residents, the children and the administration are being treated and looked down on. The board members were asked, by one resident, to admit their error and correct it. We’re all watching to see if they can and will do that.
BOE, please read the state ByLaws of the Board, Code of Ethics. It is recommended by CABE that members will:
#6. I will strive to ensure that the community is fully and accurately informed about our schools, and will try to interpret community aspirations to the school staff.
#7. I will recognize my responsibility is not to ‘run the schools” through administration, but together with my fellow Board members, to see that they are well run through effective policies.
#8. I will attempt to confine my Board action to policy-making, planning and appraisal, and will help to frame and plan only after my Board has consulted those who will be affected by its actions.
There are 17 Code of Ethics; Rose, Macchio,Lavin, Neary, Kelly, Ted, can you honestly say that you are being ethical in your elected position? I think absolutely not. It is a complete embarrassment. Please let the community know what your “plan” is, answer our questions, it is your DUTY.
As a parent and resident of Oxford, I fully support the BOE.
It’s time for Ms. Palmer to go. There are many other parents who feel the same way. They might be silent in their opinions for fear of retribution that permeates our school system. We elected the BOE to do a job, let them do it. We need fresh ideas and innovations in our schools and it’s time for a new face to implement changes and bring quality education to Oxford.
AnotherOxfordParent-if the BOE’s intention is to improve the school system for our children then that is GREAT.Share your vision with the community,answer questions and be transparent like they promised, that is all I ask.
To anotheroxfordparent, it is apparent that many people feel the same way you do, otherwise a lot more would have shown up to voice their opinions at the hearing last night.
Yes, Mr. McKane, I believe most newspapers are biased. I think there are something like 65% of Americans that agree with me. For all of you democrat (and wannabe Republican mole dems) it is too bad I will be on the board for let’s see…another 3 1/2 years. Then you may vote for someone else. Until then, deal with it! Did I find it a bit comical last night? Yes, I did. It was interesting to see all of the usual people there. They have been quite active these days. Of course, it would be nice to see some new faces every once and a while but you guys brighten my days too. Hmmm… if only the town counsel could find some way to throw me out of office…
And other then Ed Spruck, who has become the defacto Republican spokesperson, not one other person spoke in favor of the BOE. Onceagain, lies after lies! This is all they know.
WOW, if you are OK with laughing at the parents and residents who show up to express an opinion, that says something about you personally that all should be made aware of. It also shows people that you do not like the foundation of our country, freedom of speech and you laugh at those who believe in it!
I have yet to see anyone (in the audience), not a political hack, on both sides of the aisle, at any meeting or rally (except for some kids used as pawns). Actually, one women came to the Board meeting to express concern of the OHS pool but that was all. So not parents and residents, I would welcome them for a refreshing change of pace. All I see is the Mr. Nancy’s who want to intimidate us elected officials to make life difficult for us so maybe we will change our positions or retire as they did to former BOE members they did not like. Political people have opinions and that is fine but if I find their opinions and comments funny (because I believe they have a certain agenda and are not being truthful) then that is my opinion – isn’t it?
As a parent of children in the school system I find it almost frightening that Mr Macchio makes a joke out of his being so rude and the fact that theres nothing we can do about it. I would think being elected to a town board as important as one that deals with education would be something he would take more seriously.
And to anotheroxfordparent….its DR Palmer, not Ms.
To “stopthelies”, now there is an oxymoron in itself. You will get yourself out of office, no doubt about it.
Instead of snickering and staring at the audience, try to pay attention to what is happening at the meetings. You might learn something from the audience.
Get a hobby, and not the one your doing to yourself now. Try studying the bylaws of the BOE and work to make the kids education a priority.
“Anotheroxfordparent,” you are entitled to your opinion but I suggest you start going to some BOE meetings to see what goes on. Please do not rely on newspaper articles or word of mouth to get your information.
We no longer have an Assistant Principal at Great Oak Middle School either, which is just asking for trouble in my opinion.
Why wasn’t the superintendent’s evaluation done when it was suppose to be done? They can’t blame the previous board for that one!
Our education system is going down the tubes!
“Rita” Did you live in Oxford several years back when some of same people crying the loudest about politics and a lack of VP at Great Oak School were the same people who served on the BOE when it also let go a GOMS VP. There were many townspeople and an overwhelming number of staff supporting the position then too. The resignation that came out of a closed door executive session was never explained to the public. The town incurred legal fees then too. Perhaps people in glass houses…
“Carol” I think you are mistaken in the Board member you mention as “behaving as a ridiculous clown.” I am certain you must be talking about Paula Guillet. I don’t see any other member of the board showing up in a ridiculous SOS t-shirt which is totally inappropriate for her position. Nor have I heard anyone else screaming accusations at the Chairman for all to hear at the end of the last hearing. Perhaps the security tapes at the high school should be played at the next BOE meeting, and then the public can vote on which BOE member needs to learn some manners.
“timetogo,” no, I do not recall hearing about a GOMS VP being let go. What year was that? Also, I have never been on any Board since moving here. Please enlighten me . . .
Tired of this group blaming the past, just like Obama blaming Bush for the economy. Take ownership of your actions and defend them on their merits if you can. I am not a supporter of Judy Palmer but can not defend this boards ridiculous action of voiding contracts and not being able to put together an evaluation on a timely basis. Also the last AP at GOMS was a teaching position with some administrative duties.
Previous to the last teaching VP at Great Oak School, there was a another VP position. Our current Board of Finance member was then on the Board of Ed. Another of our vocal SOS supporters was also on the Board of Ed. They had no problem running that VP of the district and costing the taxpayers money at the time, but now that the shoe is on the other foot they are banking that folks will forget their past transgressions.
“Timetogo,” approximately when was this? What year? I’m going to go look it up in the BOE’s minutes at Town Hall . . . I need names.
Judi Shivy was the assistant principal at Great Oak under Frank Samuelson when her position was scheduled to be eliminated by then BOE member Nancy Schmitt and Chairman Patty Severson. There were a number of letters of support written in Voices. Perhaps Mrs. Severson or Mrs. Schmitt could enlighten you as to what year this occurred.
I stand corrected, Judy Shivy’s position was terminated a few years back and that was a wrong and unjustified decision as Mrs. Shivy was doing, from I understand, a good job as AP. However, that doesn’t make eliminating the current AP position any more tolerable.
“Timetogo,” thanks for the information, time to investigate . . .