Were dropping

Here is another clear example of how Bacon does not understand PVRS.  Let me be clear here. Many, many students from PVRS have gone on to four year colleges ! Also, Ms. Bacon before you and Miller came here we were one of the top schools in Mass.
( Under Dorion and our previous Administration and teachers)

Pioneer Valley Regional High School was ranked as 69th in Massachusetts, while the Mohawk Trail Regional High School was 74th in the state. Both schools ranked within the top 21 percent of all Massachusetts public schools that were evaluated for this report.
According to US News, about 32 percent of Pioneer Valley Regional School students take Advance Placement courses, and the graduation rate is 91 percent. Based on MCAS scores, 97 percent of students ranked proficient in English and 93 percent are proficident in math.
 “Hallelujah,” exclaimed Pioneer school board Chairwoman Pat Shearer, when told of the news. “That has happened to us maybe 10 years ago. I’ve saved the magazine. That is so great. We’ve got a wonderful group of teachers and administrators that are top-notch. That really helps make the kids what they are. It starts from kindergarten on, not just the high school,” Shearer added. “We’ve had graduates go on to military academies, Harvard and Yale, other so-called ‘superschools.’”
http://www.recorder.com/Mohawk-Pioneer-among-best-schools-in-US-News---World-Report-2650584

Since Miller and you came we have been dropped to a Bronze school
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/massachusetts/districts/pioneer-valley/pioneer-valley-regional-9488


Seems to me what we need is to replace you!
Also, if you had any common sense of PVRS you would know that students EARN that free time. They knew this from day one in 7th/ grade. They worked hard and knew that when 12th/ grade came they EARNED special time to go to DD and have them free periods. It wasn't GIVEN to them they EARNED it!

Its obvious that since you all came we have been in a steady decline. No choice school chooses PVRS, and kids and parents have looked elsewhere for their children's education and some parents have removed their kids from PVRS environment due to its so negative .

Miller ,Perry nor you Ms. Bacon are PVRS material. It shows in the schools standings and the environment of the school.  The loss of valuable administrators, and teachers. In other words OUR CORE VALUE IS LOST.

SC smarten up .

BERNARDSTON — Hoping students will graduate more ready to succeed in the “real world,” Pioneer Valley Regional School is looking to change its standards to align more with area schools.
Around the new year, Principal Jean Bacon plans to present her goals for the high school to the School Committee for approval.
What this could look like is still up in the air, but at Bernardston Elementary School Thursday night, Bacon presented what a focus-group had drafted, complete with two core proposals: align graduation requirements with MassCore and increase engagement of the student body, particularly juniors and seniors with free time.
“We have these kids for 6.5 hours a day and they’re spending somewhere between 1.5 and 3 hours of that time unstructured,” Bacon said, referring to study hall time. “I’m sure many of them look forward to that and love that, but is that what we want as a community for them?”
When Bacon first came to Pioneer, she said she was “shocked” at the time students spent lounging around and headed to Dunkin’ Donuts, when they could be taking electives.

“They don’t need three hours of socialization during the school day, in my opinion. It’s doing them a disservice,” Bacon said. “Is it preparing them for life?”
Instead, Bacon hopes to get students into more electives, although she’s aware they only have so many teachers. Bacon said that the more students sign up for electives, the more likely the district is able to retain teachers. She wants high-schoolers to engage for seven periods a day.
After presenting statistics from the region — showing variables like graduation rate, students going onto four-year colleges and percentage of students coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds — Bacon stated she wants her students to have the chance to achieve more at Pioneer.
With a tight budget, the high school will have to find alternative ways to get its students the coursework they need to advance their learning, Bacon said. For instance, students are offered online Advanced Placement courses and out-of-class internships to learn workplace skills.
“It’s really about preparing kids to be economically viable,” Bacon said. “We don’t just want to prepare them for a minimum wage job.”
Bacon emphasized the importance of four-year college for students to have a career in the 21st-century economy.
Part of this expectation, she continued, comes from the state expecting students to be more “college-ready.” That means when students go to college, they don’t have to take remedial courses to supplement their education, but rather are ready for the coursework; this goes hand-in-hand with offering an array of AP courses, she said.
“We have to give them this message that this is the expected path,” Bacon said. “Everybody should come into Pioneer with the expectation of going on to a four-year college.”
The only pushback during Thursday’s community forum came from the idea that Greenfield Community College might not be considered sufficient for students. She countered to say that GCC can definitely be the best fit, but the general expectation of the student body should be a four-year college.
Bacon reminded parents this curriculum isn’t necessarily for every student, adding she’s also working on alternative programming for students who need it.
If all of this is achieved, Bacon believes Pioneer can bump its statistics up closer to peer schools, like Frontier Regional School, which has similar demographics. And if Pioneer can do that, she feels students will graduate more prepared than ever for their next step in life.
Future forums Bacon will lead three other community forums at Warwick Community School on Monday, Pearl Rhodes Elementary School on Thursday and Northfield Elementary School on Nov. 13. All forums start at 6:30 p.m.

Reaching for a miracle

This sounds like a good idea on paper, however, I find it hard to grasp that you need someone to come in and explain the roles of a Superintendent, as a School committee member and explain the open meeting laws. Pat Shearer has been on this committee how long? Her time is done here and its time to put in fresh ideas and members in with ethics who can do the job.

Listen, this information is years overdue for this disaster of an administration and SC. I am looking forward to hear the outcome.

For the last 3 years our school has been basically destroyed. Yes, changes come but these changes have been disastrous .
1- Loss of Dayle Dorion thanks to a  School committee who had no idea what they were doing.
2- The SC not doing their jobs and lack in ethics.
3-Bullying by a Superintendent who pushed out Administrators who were the best of PVRS and had long standings with the schools,teachers,students and towns. A SC who chose not to hear them, the teachers, students or taxpayers.
4-A Superintendent who tried to destroy peoples careers by bullying and lying to the media . 
5-Lack of accountability
6-Loss of teachers who spoke out against the Superintendent and a SC who closed their ears to what was happening.
7-Bringing in a Principal with no experience and a V Principal who can't seem to get out of her own way. Both are a disgrace to PVRS but were hired due to they follow Millers rules of bullying.
8-Not allowing parents to speak at meetings or answering questions. Hiding information that should of been released to the taxpayers concerning issues with the school.
 9-Miller is unable direct and lead.
The list is endless and Miller expecting to hear what a great job she has done or her staff is a damn laugh! Since when is a bully acceptable? Or a Liar? This is what is running our school.

Well, lets see what happens..  Shirley Gilfether PVRS is in alot of trouble and Administrators and teachers and students are jumping ship without a life vest .I hope you have the answers but rarely does a bully change their actions and Miller has this following her and the same actions since the 90's. FYI get her away from the books! 

NORTHFIELD — Hoping to provide Pioneer Valley Regional School District officials with a better understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities, retired administrator Shirley Gilfether is organizing a Nov. 9 district leaders workshop.
The workshop, which will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Pioneer’s library, will involve presentations about the responsibilities of a superintendent and of school committees, the open meeting law, ethics and conflicts of interest. The program is geared toward central office administrators, the School Committee, the four district selectboards and the finance committees.
Gilfether, a Greenfield resident with 42 years of experience in education, first reached out to Pioneer’s Assistant Superintendent Gail Healy in late summer about organizing a workshop. Gilfether met Healy in the early 1990s, when Gilfether was principal of Greenfield High School and Healy was principal of Four Corners School. Having been retired for three years, Gilfether wanted to know if she could offer assistance to Pioneer.
“I just started to realize after those 42 yrs … that I had a lot of things that I could still give to people as a gift of my knowledge,” Gilfether said. “I thought Pioneer could use a hand.”
During recent meetings, Pioneer officials have clashed over what are the responsibilities of the School Committee versus the responsibilities of Superintendent Ruth Miller and other central office staff.

“Oftentimes this is their first foray into public office,” Gilfether said of school committee members, emphasizing the importance of “understanding roles and responsibilities so people aren’t bumping into each other and not overstepping or micromanaging.”
Gilfether served a three-year term on the Greenfield School Committee in the early 2000s, noting how thankful she was for training on a school committee’s roles. The position, she said, was very different from any role she held as an administrator or teacher.
“I’m hoping we’ll be able to provide some insight on the various components of roles and responsibilities of public officials that will help them do their jobs more efficiently and effectively,” Gilfether said of her goals for the workshop.
“It’s really quite a lineup (and) an unbelievable opportunity for all these towns,” said Pioneer Superintendent Ruth Miller. “I just hope that they’re either going to have the good work they’re already doing validated, or at the same time, maybe (learn) some techniques for making that work better.”
Including Gilfether, there will be five volunteer speakers:
— Gilfether will offer a brief segment on the state open meeting law;
— Patricia Correira of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees will discuss the responsibilities of school committees;
— Patricia Martin of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents will speak on superintendents’ responsibilities;
— Mary Jane Handy of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services will discuss a school committee’s legal responsibilities regarding revenue, budgeting and negotiations;
— And David Giannotti of the State Ethics Commission will present on ethics and conflicts of interest.
Each panelist will have about 20 minutes to speak, and the event will conclude with a question and answer session. Refreshments will be provided.
Gilfether said that while the workshop will provide information that’s general and standard in Massachusetts, she hopes attendees will leave seeking more in-depth training. For example, she said public officials can register for a regional open meeting law training on Nov. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the John W. Olver Transit Center by calling 617-963-2925.
“I think this is hopefully a good beginning,” she said.

You were warned endlessly

What a bunch of BS. Lets go over this .
1- In her first year here she lied and stated our school had a  "SHORT FALL OF 460,000.00" she even reported it to the newspaper which in fact was NOT TRUE, and it was because she had no idea about school choice and how it was paid or how other districts paid. According to Miller in her own words to Templeton ..
 Coming from a finance background, Ms. Miller said she is looking forward to once again holding a position where she is both superintendent and business manager. The Pioneer Valley job, she said, drew her in because, like Narragansett, it is a regional district, spanning the towns of Northfield, Bernardston, Leyden and Warwick.
“I love regional school districts,” Miller stated. “I love that interaction. (HUH)
2-Endlessly we were warned about watching the budget by Templeton since 2015.

 One of the parents I have been talking to who was very involved in Templeton sent me this email. After he watched the video.her first year in Leyden.
https://pvrsconcernsandissues.blogspot.com/2016/06/just-wow.html

WoW people kind of told it like it is at pioneer.

I can see the message is consistent miller must go. Not sure she heard it but she I think looks down to those who were talking.

Pity she is only ½ human and can’t see past her nose. She could be one of the best and has chosen the path she walks over and over.

I at the end was hearing things about the reconciliation and audio was poor and camera off angle. Do they allow a budget to be public or do you have to FOIA requested it?

It sounds like ruthless may have a problem with it and when the years end it gets to a point where the books get cooked to make it through.

Things to look for are  changes from the previous budget to now. It helps to catch changes from year to year when the spread sheet has multiyear columns.

Ruthless will start to change these around and consolidate to throw  off the numbers as to be harder to follow.

Our advisory committee chairman wanted help with our towns budget and I went over to his house as we looked through it I found 5 items we voted at town meeting to transfer to another account and the accounting numbers from one to the new one were not as we voted them to be. I was able to find many errors that would be a reason for the DOR to stomp on our town we were able to catch prior to the  meeting and changes made the week of the ATM.

Sometimes we look to hard and can’t see it. As for ruthless she can hide it and move it like the best can. When the selectmen back her and tell the SC to be behind her they are covering their own backs and  from what I heard can smell a problem. I would predict a large shortfall in the end of year or next year budget and if the E+D fund is dry, look out.(HE IS SPOT ON HERE WE ARE 2017/2018)

That calls for a prop2 ½ override and is how she operates. Spend now as much as she can and when the town fights back the SC and other boards go lock step to get what they can for the kids. Because it’s all about the kids. Budgets are the key and when she moves away ,( and she will  when she gets in over her head) than she doesn’t have to see what she is doing to the system and the people in it.  The budget info at year’s end  can tell you what’s  in store for the system and people who work there.

It would have been nice to hear the ones who say the  boards should back ruthless should also be backing the teachers  too.

Funny you didn’t hear that did you? She has them baffled with bullshit about her budget.

 MILLERS STAY IS A 3 YEAR STANCE, BY THAN SHE HAS LOST CONTROL OF ALL HER BAIT AND SWITCH MOVES AND CLEARS OUT . Funny and here we are. 

Another reply from a Templeton resident on Paulys Templeton Blog watch 

Bev.Bart.April 26, 2015 at 9:01 AM

Oh yes, but clean up the back parking lot before you go ! Take the apple trees you want to plant with you. They will cost more to maintain than they will be worth. Take any other half ass ideas with you, and lets hope the School Committee where you are going is a strong one, so the community still has money to run the town when you are through. My opinion, Bev.

You ALL  closed your eyes and refused to believe what was in front of you . The building costs more than fixing the ones we had and thats money we will never see again. A once healthy and strong school has been brought to this. Remember this :

 

Mohawk, Pioneer among ‘best schools’ in US News & World Report  WE WILL NEVER BE HERE AGAIN .
https://pvrsconcernsandissues.blogspot.com/2016/06/mohawk-pioneer-among-best-schools-in-us.html

You never listened and it was all told to you and now we are at this crossroad and we have lost so much and YES, School Committee members this is on you and your lack of ethics and ability to do your damn jobs!

Another warning and nobody listened.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Ruth Miller old School in Templeton Speaks to PVRS

Statement from a Templeton Blog

smartJune 2, 2016 at 8:18 PM

So where have we heard this before? (This was done in Templeton as well.)

Scott McKusick, a clerk of the works who examined the mold situation, said at the meeting that the mold was minor, and could have been easily remediated. He sees the administration’s decision as a poor use of taxpayer money.
There's 36,000.00 the budget will never see again.
Along with the new furniture to make her comfortable.
All the extras this new home didn't have to offer she will get new.
The cost to move and will she then be happy in here new place at Pioneer away from Pioneer. How long will it take the school committee to get the mold taken care of and move her back where she belongs?
Does she work for them or does the school committee work for her?
If pioneer school district people will take any advise it's this. Please form and support a group to keep an eye on her and the school committee or your kids will pay the price if you don't.You're kids and their education should be on the top of this list.
With all educations a graduate will only look back to what could have been and wonder if the support they had through it was enough.
It's up to you to support those who step up to the challenge to lead and not just follow for the good of the schools kids.
"HELP"  stop this problem in it's tracks and above all WATCH THE BUDGET!

We would not have to share anything if the SC Members listened and did not push Dayle Dorion who did her job out and did not do theirs. !!!! School choice would of stayed and Duprey and our teachers would be here. You are fools if you think them books weren't cooked and you need a private auditor she knows nothing about or forewarned about to come in and really look.  SHE IS FAR FROM DONE.

 




Faced with the prospect of continued tight finances and declining enrollment, the Pioneer Valley Regional School District plans to explore the possibility of sharing a central office staff with another school system. This isn’t the type of change that any of the county’s towns or school districts likes to contemplate, but fiscal necessity is pushing Pioneer’s school leaders in that direction.
In its first meeting to discuss replacing Superintendent Ruth Miller, who leaves this summer, the search committee decided to scope out the possibility of sharing central office staff with another district. The vote was unanimous, which tells you something about how much pressure the district feels to stay afloat. Historically, the towns of Franklin County have preferred to maintain as much direct control as possible over their schools, especially elementary schools. Regionalizing beyond the current level has always been seen as bringing few benefits.
Miller’s departure itself speaks to the unpleasant prospects facing the four-town school system, which is experiencing declining enrollment and rising costs. When announcing her decision to leave Pioneer after her initial three-year contract expires, Miller implied she hadn’t come on board to preside over cuts to staff and programs, which has been the direction of late.
The subcommittee overwhelmingly agreed Thursday that the district should explore a shared superintendent and central office staff arrangement on an interim basis while considering opportunities for sharing central office staff long-term. An interim deal would give them a chance to see how such a sharing arrangement might work.

hawk Trail Regional School District and Greenfield School Department.

There is some precedent here. Some of the smallest towns have shared fire chiefs or police chiefs over the years.
Bernardston Selectman Robert Raymond said local school districts haven’t sought shared services before because “nobody wants to give up their autonomy,” but he expressed hope that doing so would allow for some financial relief. We know the first part is true — not juCommittee members will reach out to other nearby districts to gauge interest in sharing superintendents, business managers or other services. The districts include Frontier Regional School District, the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District, the Gill-Montague Regional School District, Franklin County Technical School, the Most for Northfield, Bernardston, Leyden and Warwick, but across Franklin County and the North Quabbin region. We’ll have to see if sharing central staff is even feasible from a management point of view and if the savings will be worth the trouble.
“I don’t think the same old model is what we need right now,” School Committee member William Wahlstrom agreed.
Pioneer Valley school officials are wise to explore sharing services as a way to save money and increase efficiency. If the approach works out, it could leave more dollars in the bank to perform the district's essential function: preparing students for their bright futures.