To all of the Turners Falls and Pioneer Football parents and players:

Please forward to all you know in the area. Time to get involved Parents. Trust me it will be the best times of your lives. Don't let them win ( Miller, Bacon and SC) This is how you fight back with a vctory and support. Show the Panther Power :) 

To all of the Turners Falls and Pioneer Football parents and players:
Please reach out to Candice Putala Dodge at 413-522-5387 or Christie Carme as soon as you can so they can start sending you messages about upcoming events that help support our team. We would love to have as many parents involved as we can get. All events are a great time and are an opportunity for adults and players to get to know each other.

Our first fundraiser event is in 2 weeks. It is a golf tournament at Thomas’ Country Club. We need your help and hope to see everyone there.
Please share this post with any parents that may not see this.
Thanks very much for your help.

Well Well Well ...Welcome to your Karma

Well, Pat its really too bad you didn't listen to our warnings.  What I am really happy to see is that people now see this SC for what you actually are and its the fact that you are totally incompetent. Knowing you are on the committee to find a new superintendent should scare people to death. David Young on the budget committee is a damn joke.

You did no due diligence on Miller. You chose her because you DID NOT want to go thru another search.
You did not listen to Templeton's warning and how they advised against this hiring. You also did not listen to the committee you sent to check her out who also advised against her.
We posted you facts, newspapers articles, our long-time Admisntration came to you with concerns and instead of listening and DOING YOUR JOB you turned your back on loyal employees and allowed her to destroy their careers. Not only did we warn you in 2015 to WATCH THE BUDGET, you also made her business mgr! We warned you against that as well. Templeton told you she can hide things really well. You were also warned about school choice and the 2017 graduation class would be your last large paycheck from Vernon over 500,000.00. Vernon has the kids to send you the problem is you fired all those who made PVRS what it was and they don't feel you're capable of giving their children the education they need. Nobody wants to be a part of this shit show. You now have parents in your own towns looking elsewhere for there education needs. No sports will close your doors or music programs.
 Now, it's your turn Pat and the rest of this SC to lose your positions. People want you out, all of you because you lost the trust of the people who depended on you to do your job and they now see you are not capable. Step down.

It's also time that the Selectboards in Northfield, Leyden, Warwick, and Bernardston calls for an investigation of you, Miller, Young, Healy, and Bacon. You Pat and this SC are responsible for destroying a once happy and high spirited school. Great job.

But this article today was the last straw for many. But before we get to that let me make this very clear to you. We are watching you all and we will do due diligence on each one you select. Let us be clear you will not hurt this school again. Suggestion beg Dayle Dorion, Mike Duprey, and Cathy HH, to come back and put this school back in order, without them you will continue to fail.However, with a Mass Revenue audit, I think you have more problems coming than your prepared for.

Now onward.

Pioneer teachers air frustrations with school budget woes

 

NORTHFIELD — Pioneer teachers were holding signs on the corner of routes 10 and 63 (Main Street) on Sunday, publicizing their frustrations with the School Committee and Superintendent Ruth Miller.
“It’s like a shell game with them, moving the money around,” said Tracy Derrig, a teacher at Pioneer Valley Regional School. “It’s in this line; no, it’s in that line; no, we consolidated lines. No one ever saw what the math was. Now here we are at the eleventh hour of the school year and a million dollars in the hole.” YOU WERE WARNED TO WATCH THE BUDGETS AND SHE COULD HIDE MONEY WELL.
Extensive layoffs and potential school closures are expected after an emergency meeting of the Pioneer Valley Regional School Committee last Thursday, where it was revealed that, according to an audit conducted the prior week by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the district will be at a deficit of nearly a million dollars by the end of July. IF MASS DEPT OF REVENUE IS DIGGING THEY ALREADY HAVE ANSWERS WHERE THE MISSING MONEY IS , WHICH IS ALSO WHY YOU HAVE A MISSING MILLER.
“It’s like a disaster happened,” said Aimee Brown, in her 20th year as a teacher at PVRS. “No one really saw it coming — nothing leading up to these profound problems.” EXCUSE ME AIMEE BUT BULLSHIT. IN 2015 WE WARNED YOU OF THIS DAY , AND YOU ALL CHOSE TO IGNORE IT. 2015, 2016, 2017. TEMPLETON WARNED YOU, DUPREY WARNED YOU. SO DON'T GO DOWN THIS  PATH OF SHOCK AND AWE.
The School Committee voted unanimously to seek financial oversight from the state, and instructed administrators to plan to reduce at least $400,000 from the budget for the coming school year. Those plans are to be reviewed at the next School Committee meeting, Thursday at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Valley Regional School.TAKE AWAY SPORTS , MUSIC OR THE ARTS AND YOU MY'S WELL CLOSE THE DOORS.
Ariel LaReau, a teacher at PVRS and president of the Pioneer Valley Regional Education Association, said the teachers demonstrating on Sunday blamed the “horrifying crescendo” of the district’s financial problems on mismanagement from Superintendent Miller, and on the School Committee for not holding Miller accountable. YOUR SPOT ON
“At this point she (Miller) is done, she’s gone, she’s gonna get away with it,” LaReau said. Miller has been planning to leave her job in the Pioneer district since before the budget issue escalated. Her last day is June 30. Efforts to reach her on Sunday were unsuccessful.SHE KNOWS HER TIME IS UP AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME FOR THE REST OF HER DOMINOES TO FALL.SHE KNOWS SOMEONE TURNED HER IN .
“We need a new school committee that knows what’s going on, that pays attention, that wants our schools to exist,” LaReau said. THEY ALL NEED TO STEP DOWN AND THE SOONER THE BETTER ESPECIALLY PAT AND DAVID YOUNG.
When reached Sunday after the demonstration — which spanned from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — School Committee chairwoman Pat Shearer spoke in support of the teachers.LMAO IT TOOK HER 3 YEARS TO SUPPORT THE TEACHERS UP TILL NOW SHE IGNORED ALL OF THEM AND THE WARNINGS. SO I CALL YOU A DAMN LIAR PAT YOUR CORNERED AND YOU KNOW IT.,
“I think the teachers understand what the problem is more than we realize they do,” she said. “The teachers are a smart bunch of people who are very dedicated to making our kids the best educated kids they can be. They are doing what they can do.” WITH NO HELP FROM YOU OR THIS COMMITTEE IN 3 YEARS. GREAT TEACHERS WERE LOST, CAREERS DESTROYED,YOUR A POS .
For the past two weeks, a subcommittee of the School Committee has been interviewing candidates for a new superintendent. Shearer, who is also on the superintendent subcommittee, has said the subcommittee will select two applicants for the whole committee to interview and vote on at the next School Committee meeting.GET SHEARER  OFF THIS COMMITTEE.
Teachers on Sunday were also collecting donations from passing drivers. LaReau said the money will be donated to the School Committee with instructions that it be used to help pay for substitute teachers. By 1 p.m., they had collected $400.
District administrators drastically reduced spending on substitute teachers two weeks ago as an effort to avoid overspending the current year’s budget.
Principals were instructed to seek creative alternatives to using substitutes. At PVRS, classes are being pooled into large study hall sessions where, PVRS student Dana McRae said, “you basically sit there for a block and don’t do anything.”PRICELESS
When they’re available, teachers say they are being asked to cover classes outside of their subject area.
“I had a calculus class in the chorus room,” McRae said. “The chorus teacher doesn’t know how to teach calculus.”
Some teachers said they might plan another demonstration next weekend in Bernardston.
“There needs to be accountability,” Brown said. “There needs to be a change to be able to manage the funds that these towns so kindly and generously vote in to support our schools.”
IT'S TIME YOU ALL STAND YOUR GROUND AND SHOW UP AT THESE MEETINGS AND DEMAND THIS SC STEPS DOWN. HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION TO REPLACE THEM.

Listen your gonna need teachers and administrators who love this school and know it to bring her back and to once again bring school choice back to PVRS. What you have now  won't cut it. You need Mike Duprey and Dayle Dorion and Cathy HH, and teachers whos careers were here and dedicated to this school and these kids. They are who made PVRS and  its time to undo a wrong that has been done or close the doors cause this is over.

For years I have kept you informed and fought for you its now time that you all step up and fight for your school , teachers and kids beccause you are the warriors they need .Fight now or lose all that matters . I pray  God saves PVRS. 

PVRS SC never learns

OMG. This would be funny if it wasn't for the fact that PVRS has been warned about this since Miller came. Templeton also warned them. One of my favorite quotes from Templeton was from Bev who stated "I hope PVRS has deep pockets because your gonna need them" Also stated was by another Templeton SC member was "Watch your budget". PVRS SC was warned over and over and did nothing. It was also stated not to let her be business MGR, they ignored it. Miller was not at this meeting because she is busy readjusting numbers. Heres another heads up PVRS- Bacon should be watched very closely. Are readers aware she suspended a TEACHER for a week because she did not agree with her? I could go on but its time you do your own research, so, Suggestion start digging people. Good luck.

 NORTHFIELD — Having gotten off to a particularly slow start in the budget process this year, the Pioneer Valley Regional School District budget subcommittee hopes to push back the annual budget hearing until March 8.
However, because the regional agreement requires the district adopt a budget by Feb. 15, the subcommittee intends to ask the selectboards in Leyden, Bernardston, Northfield and Warwick, by letter, for an extra month of time.
Pushing the budget hearing back was discussed during Thursday’s meeting, the second budget subcommittee meeting of this budget season where there was not enough financial information. The subcommittee was presented only with current fiscal year figures rather than projections for FY19, and unclear facility budgets for the five schools.
By comparison, budget meetings were underway in December of 2016 to prepare the current fiscal year’s budget.
Last year’s budget hearing was rescheduled multiple times due to weather, finally being held on March 2. Given pushback from residents at the hearing, the School Committee was forced to reconsider its proposed increases, and was not able to approve its approximately $14.2 million budget until March 7.

The inexplicable delay in planning distressed community members.
“This process should be well in place, going on, in December as in years past,” said Frank Ribeiro, past chairman of the Bernardston Finance Committee.
Looking at the presented documents, Ribeiro admitted he felt sorry for the budget subcommittee for the little information it had available.
“This is, I’ve gotta say, kind of pathetic,” he said. “This is sad, and I think it reflects on what’s been talked about as far as this administration. Hopefully we’ll never get into this mess again.”
Superintendent Ruth Miller was not present at the meeting, which budget subcommittee Chairman David Young said was because of illness. However, her absence created confusion among the subcommittee.
“I can’t make heads or tails of this,” subcommittee member Jim Bell said while looking at the documents. “We need more of an explanation is what we need.”
“We’re second-guessing and nobody knows what’s going on,” subcommittee member Patricia Shearer agreed.
Given the lack of information, members thought it necessary to push back the budget hearing if possible.
“We aren’t ready to finalize a budget,” subcommittee member Peggy Kaeppel said. “It’s the 18th of January!”
“It’s not a permanent thing,” Young said of moving the deadline. “It’s just a this year thing.”
Pioneer has violated the regional agreement before, involving an election cycle mix-up in 2016. At the time, Christine Lynch, a consultant with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, who oversees regional agreements, said violations to regional agreements are local issues and should be worked out among the involved towns.
However, Young also hoped there could be a pre-hearing this year so the budget subcommittee could use public comments and suggestions to frame the budget process. The budget pre-hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.
Following a full School Committee meeting next Thursday at 7 p.m. at Pioneer, the next budget subcommittee meeting will be held on Jan. 30.

She screws up again.

It amazes me how she screws up and manages to come up with an excuse every time. However, you did notice that her raise and those raises in her office and principal and VP were not undercut.
She is not just trying to balance the books but balance her mistakes now that PVRS hired a business manager, which was also long overdue. $282,514.00 is a big request and also why would you depend on reimbursements you were not sure of to fix an underlying issue? One thing is for sure her constant mistakes sure do add up. Seems the ones who suffer the most are teachers and students.

The Pioneer Valley Regional School District
is in a tight fiscal spot once again, this time with its substitute teacher budget.
Superintendent Ruth Miller recently presented the School Committee with expenditure reports showing that while the elementary schools’ substitute teacher budgets were well-funded, half-way in the year Pioneer’s substitute budget has only $1,494 unencumbered, or 4.27 percent.
“What’s scary is how much has already been used,” she told the committee last week.
Earlier this year, Miller reported the district needs another $282,514 to balance the books for the current school year, a deficit which primarily resulted from the district receiving $303,601 less in regional busing reimbursement than she anticipated. Though the School Committee has floated ideas of possible cuts, it has taken no formal action.
School Committee members wondered how Pioneer’s fund could be so near depletion by mid-school year. Because there are more staff at Pioneer than at the elementary schools, Miller explained, there are more opportunities for needing substitutes. But the substitute budget was cut for this year in step with teacher cuts. Substitute budgets at Pioneer, Bernardston Elementary and Northfield Elementary were each cut by $5,000.

“It looks to me that relative to the elementary schools, we under-budgeted for Pioneer,” said committee member David Young, noting that Pioneer represents approximately half of the district’s student population. “I don’t think we’re overspending as much as we under-budgeted.”
How it comparesPioneer’s $35,000 substitute budget represents 41.62 percent of the district’s total amount budgeted for substitutes, $84,100.
Bernardston Elementary School’s $15,000 substitute budget has $7,555 unencumbered, or 50.37 percent; Pearl Rhodes Elementary School’s $6,600 substitute budget has $4,835 unencumbered, or 73.25 percent; Northfield Elementary School’s $20,000 substitute budget has $10,532 unencumbered, or 52.66 percent; and Warwick Community School’s $7,500 substitute budget has $5,907 unencumbered, or 78.77 percent.
Miller seemed unsure how to reconcile the pending shortage.
“Our reluctance in budgeting is, do we really want to put another $35,000 in (the Pioneer substitute budget) and then what are we going to take away from the students to be able to meet that $70,000?” she asked committee members.
However, when asked Wednesday, Miller said “if the trend continues the way it is right now, there’ll be money left in the elementary schools’ substitute budgets” to hopefully offset Pioneer’s spending. In the past, if the substitute budgets go over, Miller said superintendents adjust the rest of the budget accordingly.
“It’s not an exact science,” she said. “It’s just not predictable. You can’t predict when people are going to get sick or when they’re going to have a baby or when they’re going to be injured.”

This has gone on long enough

OMG..I can't believe you people. Since Miller came to this school WE WARNED YOU TO WATCH THE BUDGET! We also warned you over and over about Miller. Templeton warned you and you ignored all warnings! You were also warned about anyone speaking out against her and now we have lost so many valuable teachers and administrators. You were also warned she was a master manipulator. Just out of curiosity are you listening yet?

The first year she was here she moved the offices to the main street and blows 64,000.00 plus dollars which could have been spent more wisely and upgraded the previous offices and have a more suitable building. Instead, she had to be shamed into moving back to the school and then tried to play martyr by saying she moved into a closet area which was, in fact, the Dean of Students office for years! Cathy HH.

The pay increases and amounts for a VP Perry, Principal Bacon and Asst, to the superintendent Healy are ridiculous and should have never been approved when this school had to remove more teachers to pay them and still left the budget a complete mess and the school in chaos.

Miller states

Superintendent Ruth Miller, who also acts as business manager for the district, opposed a new hire.

“If you get another business manager now, that money, that $40,000 or $50,000 could be going to paying off the shortfall,” Miller said, adding that “the least that we can do as a committee for the rest of this year is to try to get the shortfall down as much as possible."

This is not true and Peggy you are wrong . You need to get this Business MGR in here now! Miller does not want him here because she is well aware of her mistakes and they will be brought into the open. You need to do this now !!!



 Miller states

“I think the auditors and the (district leaders workshop) panel think to split my position makes sense considering I’m leaving,” Miller said. “They weren’t saying when to do it, they were saying down the road to do it.”

This is Miller manipulating the situation.The auditors saw something and we were not told which is also why the SC members are also slow to decide because they know they screwed up and this is gonna bring it into the light same as it did for Templeton. Sooner or later they will have to face what they have done and us.



 Robin L’Etoile



In support of maintaining Miller’s salary, committee member Robin L’Etoile said “we have been basically getting a discount for the last two years,” by only paying Miller, rather than a superintendent at a comparable price and additional business manager.



Wake up Robin L’Etoile you have NOT gotten a discount you have generated a massive debt. Miller should have NEVER been a business mgr and this is also proof how you sadly lacked in your duties when hiring her or you would of know this was a bad decision.



Listen get the business mgr now PVRS cannot go on this way any longer. The destruction has been done its now time to face what has happened and head in a positive direction to fix it. This can no longer wait and I suggest the town SB stay on top of the next hire and involve themselves in resolving the reconstruction of PVRS. Its been clearly seen that the SC cannot handle this job alone.


I have been to the school a couple of times this year, and the lack of support they have for one another was just sad. The students don't seem to support the others and teacher and administrators do not show up to events as they did in the past. The spirit that once ran thru this school seems to of died. The paw prints have even faded. The laughter has died along with its heart and spirit. For many of us past and present to see this is heartbreaking.



Do your jobs for once SC and hire the business mgr. As parents and taxpayers, we demand something to change and not continue down the path its on. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 NORTHFIELD — Hoping to get a better handle on the Pioneer Valley Regional School District’s finances, the School Committee voted to pursue hiring a part-time business manager for the rest of the fiscal year.
The 7-to-4 vote at Northfield Elementary School last week followed debate as to whether the district could stay afloat for the rest of the year without sinking more money into a new position, particularly considering the need to cut $282,514 to balance this year’s budget that was announced in September but hasn’t been reconciled by the School Committee.
“We’ve never resolved the $282,000 shortfall between actual revenue and our budget,” said School Committee member Peggy Kaeppel, who voted against hiring a part-time business manager. “Now we’re going to make that a bigger deficit.”
Though the budget subcommittee planned to make recommendations on additional cuts to the full School Committee, members and administrators emphasized a need to have input from each principal on where cuts could be made in his or her school. Getting that information, however, hasn’t happened.
Superintendent Ruth Miller, who also acts as business manager for the district, opposed a new hire.

“If you get another business manager now, that money, that $40,000 or $50,000 could be going to paying off the shortfall,” Miller said, adding that “the least that we can do as a committee for the rest of this year is to try to get the shortfall down as much as possible.”
When Melanson Heath auditors Tanya Campbell and Patrice Squillante shared their audit findings regarding last fiscal year’s budget, the two recommended hiring a temporary business manager, which School Committee member Sharon Fontaine noted during Thursday’s meeting. Additionally, the four district selectboards presented a letter in support of getting a business manager.
However, Miller and School Committee members disagreed as to when hiring should happen.
“I think the auditors and the (district leaders workshop) panel think splitting my position makes sense considering I’m leaving,” Miller said. “They weren’t saying when to do it, they were saying down the road to do it.”
Miller announced in June she won’t be looking to negotiate a new contract once her current three-year contract is up. If nothing changes, Miller’s last day as superintendent will be June 30, 2018.
The majority of committee members emphasized the need to get a business manager as soon as possible.
“I think we have to find this money, as painful as it’s going to be,” said School Committee member David Young. “I think that a business manager with fresh eyes can more than pay for themselves in the first year.”
School Committee member Sue O’Reilly-McRae wondered if Miller would be willing to reduce her $141,714 salary, given that she’s paid to be both the superintendent and business manager. Fontaine suspected if a part-time business manager is hired, Miller’s hours might be reduced given fewer responsibilities.
Miller said she’s not willing to reduce her salary as she is under contract, bases her life around the set salary and is “not in the financial position” to cut her pay.
“This district also has a budget,” Fontaine replied. “We’re faced with the same things you are … I would support you taking a good look at what you could do if you would take a reduction in salary.”
In support of maintaining Miller’s salary, committee member Robin L’Etoile said “we have been basically getting a discount for the last two years,” by only paying Miller, rather than a superintendent at a comparable price and additional business manager.
Though no decision was made regarding on hiring, the committee floated ideas on possible candidates, including Daniel Haynes, who serves as administrator of finance for the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District and once audited Pioneer’s budget, making him familiar with the district.

 

PVRS Chorus

What an amazing night! It brought back a lot of memories. The kids were amazing and sung their hearts out. Great job done by all and hearing from some of  our last years chorus crew was pretty amazing as well. Great job Emma, Maddy, Domenic and Hanna who went up to also help out. I have to say hearing Glory again from the community chorus was outstanding!
Please call in with your donations these kids will do PVRS proud.
Mandy and Kimberly as always outstanding. You put your hearts and souls into these kids and the music and PVRS is so lucky to have you.

The number to call for donations is still live:
 413-498-2931, ext. 220.

Great job everyone.

NORTHFIELD — When the words of Emeli Sandé’s “Read All About It” appeared on the wall before her, Pioneer Valley Regional School eighth-grader Sydney May broke into song. Her voice carried throughout the Pioneer auditorium to the listening ears of students, parents and community members.
May was one of the many singers who performed during Pioneer’s telethon Friday night, which was organized to raise money for the chorus program’s April 2018 trip to Washington, D.C. The more than 40 chorus students were invited to perform in a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s death by Historic Programs, a nonprofit organization that commemorates the past.
Through the telethon, broadcast on Bernardston-Northfield Community Television (BNCTV) and through Facebook Live, community members could call in to make monetary pledges or pay to watch in the auditorium. Concession and raffle ticket sales also raised money.
“In the raffle alone, we’ve gotten about $1,300,” Kimberly Rose said at about 7:30 p.m. Rose’s wife Mandy Oliver, director of the chorus, was the telethon’s primary organizer.
Aside from raising money to offset $650-per-person trip costs, Rose said the telethon gave the performers “a safe environment to practice their skills,” without the pressure of a lot of eyes, given most observers were home behind their television, computer or phone screens.

Senior Dana McRae interviewed the performers about their songs and involvement at Pioneer, while routinely reading off fundraising updates. Meanwhile, in the kiva, three Pioneer parents monitored pledges by phone and shared the Facebook Live video wherever they could.
“We do whatever we can to support the program,” said Paula Johnson, of Northfield, whose daughter Molly is in chorus. “It was quite an honor they were asked (to Washington, D.C.)
“And it’s the 50th,” added Erika Nygard, of Warwick, whose daughter Liesel is in chorus. “That’s exciting … For rural Massachusetts kids, I just think that’s going to be amazing.”
As of 8:40 p.m., pledges accounted for $1,735. Even after the telethon’s end, those interested in donating are encouraged to call 413-498-2931, ext. 220.

Patricia Martin,Correira,David Giannotti,and Gilfether let us teach you .

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.
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