Recorder Staff
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
NORTHFIELD — Though a month has passed since the last Pioneer Valley
Regional School District Committee meeting, when many parents, teachers
and students complained about Superintendent Ruth Miller, at least three
residents say the storm has not calmed heading into this month’s
meeting, when Miller is scheduled to be evaluated.
“Nothing has changed,” said Scott Lyman, a former principal of Bernardston Elementary School and Gill Elementary School who attended May’s meeting. Lyman and others, including Pioneer parents Deb Tyson and Sue O’Reilly-McRae, are frustrated by a lack of action taken by the school board.
Tyson, Lyman and O’Reilly-McRae plan on attending this month’s school committee meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. in Pioneer’s library.
In addition to taking time to address citizens’ concerns, the School Committee will complete an evaluation of the superintendent, according to the meeting minutes. It will follow a meeting of the negotiations subcommittee at 6 p.m.
During a half-hour allotted at the start of May’s meeting, community members voiced concerns about the finances involved in moving the superintendent’s office, a large number of beloved Pioneer staff members resigning and hiring a public safety officer. The resignation of Pioneer interim principal Mike Duprey was the last straw for many upset parents, teachers and students.
Lyman requested that the School Committee perform exit
interviews with school administrators who recently resigned to get to
the bottom of the turnover, and Tyson feels that while plenty of
residents came to May’s meeting with questions, they did not leave with
answers. She anticipates Thursday will be similar.
“I expect people wanting more answers that they’re probably not going to get about the building, Mr. Duprey and these other teachers that we seem to be losing by the boatload here,” Tyson said.
“My hope would be that the School Committee would report back to citizens about concerns that were expressed at the last meeting,” O’Reilly-McRae said, adding that no time for addressing said concerns is allotted on the meeting’s agenda. “It doesn’t look like there is a direct response ... That’s what it has been like for months now.”
Lyman said that residents will keep attending the committee meetings because there are still concerns. He, Tyson and O’Reilly-McRae continue to seek action from the school committee.
“The integrity of our school is in jeopardy and the school board doesn’t seem to be protecting who they should be protecting — the teachers, the students and Pioneer,” Tyson said.
Miller will be evaluated on her instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture, as per the guidelines outlined by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
“It’s interesting to me that the evaluation of the superintendent is going to be on the agenda,” O’Reilly-McRae said. “I’m hoping it will be comprehensive and that all stakeholders will have a voice in the evaluation.”
The policy subcommittee will also discuss the school committee’s operational goals, powers, duties and authority, as well as evaluate the school committee.
“Nothing has changed,” said Scott Lyman, a former principal of Bernardston Elementary School and Gill Elementary School who attended May’s meeting. Lyman and others, including Pioneer parents Deb Tyson and Sue O’Reilly-McRae, are frustrated by a lack of action taken by the school board.
Tyson, Lyman and O’Reilly-McRae plan on attending this month’s school committee meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. in Pioneer’s library.
In addition to taking time to address citizens’ concerns, the School Committee will complete an evaluation of the superintendent, according to the meeting minutes. It will follow a meeting of the negotiations subcommittee at 6 p.m.
During a half-hour allotted at the start of May’s meeting, community members voiced concerns about the finances involved in moving the superintendent’s office, a large number of beloved Pioneer staff members resigning and hiring a public safety officer. The resignation of Pioneer interim principal Mike Duprey was the last straw for many upset parents, teachers and students.
“I expect people wanting more answers that they’re probably not going to get about the building, Mr. Duprey and these other teachers that we seem to be losing by the boatload here,” Tyson said.
“My hope would be that the School Committee would report back to citizens about concerns that were expressed at the last meeting,” O’Reilly-McRae said, adding that no time for addressing said concerns is allotted on the meeting’s agenda. “It doesn’t look like there is a direct response ... That’s what it has been like for months now.”
Lyman said that residents will keep attending the committee meetings because there are still concerns. He, Tyson and O’Reilly-McRae continue to seek action from the school committee.
“The integrity of our school is in jeopardy and the school board doesn’t seem to be protecting who they should be protecting — the teachers, the students and Pioneer,” Tyson said.
Miller will be evaluated on her instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture, as per the guidelines outlined by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
“It’s interesting to me that the evaluation of the superintendent is going to be on the agenda,” O’Reilly-McRae said. “I’m hoping it will be comprehensive and that all stakeholders will have a voice in the evaluation.”
The policy subcommittee will also discuss the school committee’s operational goals, powers, duties and authority, as well as evaluate the school committee.
guidelines outlined by the Massachusetts Association of
School Committees.
H. Discipline and dismissal
State law: The school committee has authority to discipline or terminate the employment of the superintendent, in accordance with state law and the terms of the contract of employment. (G.L. c. 71, [[section]] 59)
Taxpayers and parents especially have a right to know whats going on within their schools. Either the School Committe is not paying any attention to ALL the devestaion that is happening with our schools or are taking the easy way out, and are choosing to ignore everything. SHAME ON YOU ScCHOOL COMMITTEE, You are not doing your job. LISTEN TO US, AND FIX THIS!!!!
ReplyDeleteWHAT KIND OF AN EVALUATION WILL SHE GET??? Everybody knows what she deserves!!!
ReplyDeleteWHAT KIND OF AN EVALUATION WILL SHE GET??? Everybody knows what she deserves!!!
ReplyDeleteThat School Committee is a disgrace right along with that Superintendent .
ReplyDeleteThey all need to be fired and start a new search from scratch . This is not gonna get better and we are not gonna back down.
The sad part of this article is its making it seem as if they are doing something above and beyond the norm to satisfy parents. Superintendent are evaluated by the school committee every year. It's too bad they are yet again doing nothing, but putting a routine evaluation on the agenda in hopes it will satisfy parents into believing they are doing something about this problem.
ReplyDeleteSadly it won't work this time. For many parents,taxpayers, school choice, as well as past students and teachers Mike Duprey was the last straw. He can work with anyone so if he is resigning that is a heads up to all of us that we have a very serious problem here.
DeleteIt's very evident that we need to stay vigilent and united to regain our phenominal school system.
DeleteWhen cornered on a issue look for her to throw any and everyone under the bus.
ReplyDeleteI brought it to your attention remember when i said.
Good luck, question her motives and stay alert with the facts. Budget is key and SC and her will be as one.