I couldn't help but laugh when I read this article. Number one, Miller has no respect for anyone. She is also no leader. She wasn't at PVRS nor at Templeton. Her same actions follow her wherever she goes.Your speaking to the wind.
As for the School committee , they are clueless, lack ethics, and are basically lazy.
Patricia Martin of the Massachusetts Association of School
Superintendents--Where were you when Miller would threaten school Administration officials on the phone, and we lost not one or two vital members of our school but 5 the first year alone?She bullied and harassed them till they quit! Or last year when all the teachers who were let go that talked out against Miller?Where were you than? These were people who made PVRS what it was and we were once one of the top schools in Mass. Or where were you when they chose Miller? The School committee was warned not to hire her but did not want to open another search and chose her anyway. Or where were you when Miller was LYING to the media and retractions were made to show them lies? Many good people were hurt by this woman and since when is being a bully acceptable by anyone? But, my biggest question is why didn't you stop her after Templeton?Where was your support for them? Our kids were devastated losing two in particular Mike Duprey, and Cathy Hawkins -Harrison.
Here have a look
https://pvrsconcernsandissues.blogspot.com/2016/06/from-ms-oliver-and-her-kids-to-mike.html
The kids say good bye
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1806522979571458/permalink/1810033939220362/
Does this look like a happy bunch to you ?
Or how 2017 Graduates had him back for their graduation .This was a man from the day you walked into 7th grade in the school you knew he cared and supported these kids. They learn about integrity, ethics, working hard made it possible to follow your dreams, he encouraged them to go further. Did you also know by the end of the year he would know all these kids by name? He made a point of knowing them. They also knew they could go to him anytime. So again Ms Martin where were you when you were needed the most before the destruction of our school and teachers? FYI- Miller couldn't tell the truth if it meant her life.
Correira lets talk School Committee.. They lack ethics, morals, and concern for the school and its teachers and students. Administrators came to them with concerns of bullying by the superintendent , and demands she made on them that were against their moral principals, low morale of teachers and students and they did NOTHING!
Here let us show you this was Thursday, May 26, 2016
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8101346243926548968#editor/target=post;postID=2882547187145615667;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=235;src=postname
Or how about Dale Dorion our past superintendent who loved the school and these kids, who supported them, who came to games and concerts.. who was pushed out by this SC because she wouldn't do what they wanted her to because it was wrong . Where were you than?
This SC is a disgrace to our schools, teachers and taxpayers.
David Giannotti of the State Ethics Commission- I wanted you last because ethic is something neither this superintendent or SC understand.Miller states one ethic complaint .. if you believe that I will sell you the Brooklyn Bridge Cheap! EVERY teacher or administrator who spoke out against Miller was LET GO.EVERY ONE! I can also guarantee that every one of them have broken these laws , in the parking lot after meetings and in vehicles on their way home, not to mention phone calls. Shearer and Young think they are above the law. Take it or leave it but be guaranteed it happens.
Respectfully Ms. Gilfether fear and anxiety since day one of Miller stepping into our schools is something our kids, teachers and admins, have lived with.She does not lead she bullies. We use to be a high spirited school,singing and laughter in the halls but parents now are searching out other schools for there child's education, school choice has pulled students, and basically stopped sending children to PVRS. Teachers and students are jumping ship without life jackets.. would you want your child here?
The damage done here is major and I hope and so do others that Miller is not allowed to continue as a Superintendent in another school anywhere. We begged this school committee from day one to hear us and our teachers and it all fell on deaf ears, even the previous school Miller was at warned us and wrote on this blog and still they ignored us. We do not hold out high hopes from you .It will take a miracle to turn this school around. FYI- your miracle is in Winchester NH and Cathy HH to start. I suggest you do a whole lot of pleading to get them back while we still have a school .School choice will also return.
Were watching .
NORTHFIELD — Pioneer Valley Regional District officials gained
insight on how to effectively do their jobs and work together during a
district leaders’ workshop Thursday.
Speakers from various state
agencies cleared up confusion on the roles of Superintendent Ruth Miller
versus the roles of the School Committee, and offered tips for better,
law-abiding operation of the school district.
Mutual respect Though
a simple idea, the concept that School Committee members and a
superintendent should treat each other with respect was a prevalent
theme.
Patricia Martin of the Massachusetts Association of School
Superintendents advised that officials in districts without the
financial security to bring in professional mediators might take
recesses from meetings, monitor their speaking time and exercise
self-assessments, asking themselves “Where have I not given respect?”
Likewise, Patricia Correira of the Massachusetts Association of School
Committees emphasized not scowling or rolling one’s eyes at another
board member’s comments.
Speakers agreed that when tensions run
high within a School Committee or administration, there’s often a
trickle-down effect to communities, principals, faculty and students.
“Those adult actions are having a profound reaction on the children,” Martin said.
“It eats away at a community in a broader sense,” agreed retired administrator Shirley Gilfether, who
organized the district leaders workshop.
Martin
read a quote from Michael Fullan, author of “Change Leader: Learning to
Do What Matters Most,” which states “The single factor common to
successful change is that relationships must improve. If relationships
improve, schools get better. If relationships get worse, improvement is
lost.” For that reason, Martin emphasized the importance of having a
superintendent give open, honest and timely communication to the School
Committee about school operations to foster a trusting relationship.
Superintendent, School Committee roles A
superintendent, Martin explained, acts as an advisor to the School
Committee and leader of the administrative team. Responsibilities
include: advocating for a strong budget to local and state officials;
providing professional development; providing scheduled budget updates
to the School Committee; approving faculty hires selected by a
principal; and otherwise overseeing day-to-day school district
management.
By contrast, Correira said the School Committee hires
and fires the superintendent; approves hiring an assistant
superintendent, special education coordinator, school business officer,
legal counsel, physicians and nurses; sets goals for the district in the
children’s best interest; decides the overall curriculum; and approves
the budget, though the superintendent is authorized to make transfers
during the year.
“The budget is yours. You own it, you vote on
it,” Correira said to the School Committee. “But always remember you’re
not the education expert that the superintendent is.”
After the budget, setting policy is the board’s biggest responsibility, Correira continued.
“If
you don’t have an up-to-date policy manual, shame on you,” she said.
“You need an up-to-date policy manual to allow the superintendent to run
your district.”
The importance of working toward the same goals, while not overstepping bounds, was impressed upon the audience.
“It’s a balance, and overstepping that balance can sometimes cause consternation in a district,” Correira said.
Conflicts of interest and open meeting law In
a question to David Giannotti of the State Ethics Commission, Miller
expressed concern that only one conflict of interest disclosure form was
filed with her office by a member of the School Committee, though other
members may also have conflicts. Giannotti suggested Miller have the
board members seek advice from the Ethics Commission.
“These people are sort of walking on thin ice,” he said. “They’d better hope we don’t find out about it.”
In
a brief overview of the open meeting law, Gilfether said it’s easy to
forget that excessive email conversations can also constitute breaking
the law.
“If I reach a quorum number, I am breaking the open meeting law,” she said.
Conversation
in the parking lot or restroom could also constitute violating the law.
Martin recommended having as few “nondiscussables” — important topics
that produce fear and anxiety to bring up — as possible to avoid outside
talk.
Reach Shelby Ashline at: sashline@recorder.com
413-772-0261 ext. 257
