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.
Reach Shelby Ashline at: sashline@recorder.com
413-772-0261 ext. 257

Remember this date

Lets help the kids out and make a pledge :)

Time to speak up

Well, what does everyone think? I know the damage is done to PVRS and Miller should of never come here, but we have the opportunity  now to help chose the next one and maybe just maybe the SC will listen. After all after Miller do we really want to trust them ?

So we have these options.
Frontier Regional School District - Lynn M. Carey, Ed.D.
Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District - Tari Thomas
Gill-Montague Regional School District -Michael Sullivan, Ed.D.
Franklin County Technical School-Richard Martin
Mohawk Trail Regional School District -Michael A. Buoniconti,
Greenfield School Department-Jordana B. Harper

So whats everyone's take on this?   After reading thru some of these I would take the greenfield school dept off the list . I liked the best Frontier and Gill. But check for yourselves. We will be digging into these and will give you an update in a few days. 

BERNARDSTON — Representatives from the four North County selectboards agreed to recommend the Pioneer Valley Regional School District School Committee to pursue sharing a superintendent with another school district.
During a joint meeting Thursday, members of the four boards agreed to draft a letter outlining their support for sharing administration, an idea that will be presented to the School Committee during a future meeting.
Given tight finances for the district and an approximately $14.1 million budget that have led town assessments to increase year after year, Bernardston Selectman Robert Raymond hopes sharing administrators will save the district money.
“What are we gonna do?” Raymond wondered. “How much are our taxpayers going to pay?”
Based on recent discussions by the district’s Superintendent Search Committee, it seems like the two groups are on the same page. In their first meeting last month to discuss replacing Superintendent Ruth Miller, the search committee agreed to look into sharing administrators with another school district, with each member assigned a school district to contact.

The search committee was formed as a result of Miller’s June announcement that 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.
Members of the four selectboards echoed their support for sharing a superintendent, as well as a business manager, on an interim business.
“I think there are other school districts that are suffering … and willing to share a superintendent or business manager,” Raymond said. “If we try it for one year and it doesn’t work out, and we don’t save money or we don’t have enough input on what the superintendent does, forget about it. We’ll go in a different direction.”
The boards proposed arranging a year-long agreement with a superintendent, re-evaluating partway through the year and, if the arrangement is satisfactory to the district’s public officials, seeking to extend the contract.
Given Miller’s announcement, board members said it seems like the opportune time to regionalize.
“This sort of thing is resisted in most districts because the incumbent superintendent wants a job,” said Warwick Town Coordinator David Young, who is also a School Committee member. “We have an opportunity here.”
Sharing a superintendent and business manager could be just the beginning, board members agreed. Young proposed sharing administrators with multiple districts, and aligning class schedules to support learning between districts.
“If this did work, you could see tech directors being shared, curriculum coordinators being shared,” Raymond said.
During October’s School Committee meeting, the committee finalized a letter to send to nearby districts to gauge their interest in sharing a superintendent or business manager, including Frontier Regional School District, the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District, the Gill-Montague Regional School District, Franklin County Technical School, the Mohawk Trail Regional School District and Greenfield School Department. According to Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Pam Lawrence, the letter was sent Wednesday.

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.