< BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< Messages posted to thread: >
< From Date >
< NO POLITICS, PLEASE! 04-Feb-00 >
< 04-Feb-00 >
< Who's decision is it? 04-Feb-00 >
< To Two Above 04-Feb-00 >
< 05-Feb-00 >
< Just Watching 05-Feb-00 >
< To "Boguz" 05-Feb-00 >
< Keeping the posts together.... 06-Feb-00 >
< Brookdale parent 06-Feb-00 >
< 07-Feb-00 >
< Agree with Brookdale 07-Feb-00 >
< Poli-Sci 101 07-Feb-00 >
< 07-Feb-00 >
< 08-Feb-00 >
< Pointing the finger 08-Feb-00 >
< Give the parents some ammo 08-Feb-00 >
< Gentle reminder 08-Feb-00 >
< To above 08-Feb-00 >
< No Names 08-Feb-00 >
< 09-Feb-00 >
< 09-Feb-00 >
< 09-Feb-00 >
< 09-Feb-00 >
< 09-Feb-00 >
< 09-Feb-00 >
< to 2 back 09-Feb-00 >
< Mr. Dowd said: 10-Feb-00 >
< 10-Feb-00 >
< 10-Feb-00 >
< Abuse of policy caused to this situ 10-Feb-00 >
< WOW! 10-Feb-00 >
< 11-Feb-00 >
< To above 11-Feb-00 >
< 12-Feb-00 >
< Cyber alert 12-Feb-00 >
< Fede Blaims Parents ,Not BOE 14-Feb-00 >
< To Above 14-Feb-00 >
< Another Parent 14-Feb-00 >
< 14-Feb-00 >
< Constructive Critisism 15-Feb-00 >
< Ditto, CC 15-Feb-00 >
< Voices of reason finally 15-Feb-00 >
< 16-Feb-00 >
< Belly Aching 16-Feb-00 >
< 16-Feb-00 >
< To "Belly...." "Voice...." "Constr 17-Feb-00 >
< back on track 20-Feb-00 >
< Nary a word 24-Feb-00 >
< 25-Feb-00 >
< Extra Extra - You won't read all ab 26-Feb-00 >
< 27-Feb-00 >
< an affected parent 28-Mar-00 >
< To affected parents 28-Mar-00 >
< To affected parents 28-Mar-00 >
< Answer 28-Mar-00 >
< 28-Mar-00 >
< 28-Mar-00 >
< To above post 28-Mar-00 >
< Answer 28-Mar-00 >
< Subject: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >NO POLITICS, PLEASE!
< Date: 04-Feb-00 >
Please don't make political pawns of our children. Don't make the issue of where our children attend school a political issue.
That is the reason for the start of this new thread. A very sensitive issue is being discussed in the BOE Election/Candidates thread and this can not be made a political campaign platform.
Please discuss this issue here. Thank you.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 04-Feb-00 >
< From: >< Date: 04-Feb-00 >
For the record, many kids were turned down this year, particurlarly at Brookdale because the class size policy was nearing the limit.
Watched the meeting last night (what I could hear of it!) and just want to say good job to the parents who spoke. It was refreshing to hear them present REAL reasons--friends, support systems, adjustment issues, leaving a place they feel comfortable, etc. The last group to go to the BOE because their kids were in jeopardy of being removed from their school came up with all those bogus safety issues instead of just speaking from their hearts like the parents last week did. Nice to see honesty. I hope the board respects their concerns and lets the kids stay.
To above post, what legitimate reasons do YOU feel Dowd should consider reason to let kids staay where they are and what boguz reasons should he let them stay for. If a parent presents a concern for their child's ability to adjust should that be taken as seriously as babysitter issues? How do you determine which babysitter issues are real and which are invented to cover up the bigotry?
I think the bottom line has to be to consider the kids feelings who are there, regardless of what their parent did to get them where they are. Put yourself in the position of a fifth grader (or 4th or 3rd) entrenched in his/her school having to leave and start over, you'd be terrified!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Who's decision is it?
< Date: 04-Feb-00 >
It is the decision of the SUPERINTENDENT, not the board.
Go read the policy. It says the SUPERINTENDENT decides.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >To Two Above
< Date: 04-Feb-00 >
I watched the meeting on TV 34 too. I heard a mother say that she didn't feel safe going to Demarest from Coeyman avenue because of the Parkway traffic. Is that bogus? I don't think so.
Another legit reason is because of where a sitter lives. And that IS easy to verify.
Get your priorities straight!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 05-Feb-00 >
why should she? she isn't the one begging for mercy this time!
for the record...people who choose to move to another school's locale - midstream in their children's academic career - should live with their choices....as must their children. that's a "boguz" reason if ever we heard one!
enjoying a coffee clotch while your kids are babysat courtesy of the boe isn't a good reason to stay in a school just because you want to.
working parents depending on sitters, specific programs for special needs kids, school lines changing after a child began school or the brother or sister of a specially placed kid are valid reasons.
carpooling for convenience, babysitting for tennis lessons or shopping, a parent's socializing and just because you want to are NOT valid reasons.
DDD made this mess....let him shovel his way out of it!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Just Watching
< Date: 05-Feb-00 >
How many of these specially placed children were specially placed because of parental special friendship to a BOE or Administrative member?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >To "Boguz"
< Date: 05-Feb-00 >
DUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! They hypocrisies are flying!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Keeping the posts together....
< Date: 06-Feb-00 >
Subject: RE: Blmfd BOE Election Issues & Candidates < From: >< Date: 05-Feb-00 >
I was one of the parents that spoke at the Board Meeting. I am not concerned about the "element" but of my child and other children like her. My reasons are valid. Not because of a babysitter, or because of some of the other reasons given. The parents all have their own reasons. Some are valid and some are bogus. As for the 'element', I don't recall any parent speaking about that. The superintendent recieved 94 requests for transfer last year, only 15 were denied. So now why is there a problem? If he was foreseeing a problem of overcrowding in the near future, he should not have granted all the requests that he did. The children should not be forced to suffer for the fault of an adult.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Blmfd BOE Election Issues & Candidates < From: >To above < Date: 06-Feb-00 >
The Superintendent LIED! Not all of the families in question REQUESTED said honor last September or any other September. If you were at the meeting sitting with the rest of us, you may have noticed that many of us didn't know we were in the "wrong" schools because of situations that occurred years back when we enrolled our children. As of their registration, no other notification was given to us that we ever had to "re-apply".
So it seems to me that the Superintendent is making excuses for losing track of a situation that HE compounded by letting so many NEW requests go wherever they wanted.
One parent has had the audacity to say that she knows Dowd and "several" Board members and will have her children in whatever school she chooses!
Let's all see if its true. If it is, the Super and Board members are GUILTY of using the children AGAIN for their own devices.
Shame on them one and all! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Brookdale parent
< Date: 06-Feb-00 >
The proposed reshuffling of children will not affect my children, since we attend our home school and have no intention of leaving it. Nevertheless, I'm very much opposed to uprooting children from the familiar surroundings of their school and peer groups. It's fine if the BOE wants to begin enforcing a policy that has been overlooked in the past, but I think it's entirely unfair to disrupt children's lives because school board policy went by the boards in years past. The way in which the decision was announced was also unacceptable: sending a notice home to unsuspecting parents that essentially said: Next fall, you're outta here. Shame on the superintendent and the entire school board for handling this delicate situation so carelessly. You all owe the affected parents an apology!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 07-Feb-00 >
The Superintendent is waffling and the BOE is promising grandfathering behind his back. To make matters worse, not all of the families "in question" were notified and probably never will be. Why? How can this Super and BOE make so many mistakes when it comes to so delicate an issue?
The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing in this crowd.
I don't think all kids should be grandfathered....only those that produce a reason other than "because!" Those that knew they were in the wrong schools and were depending on favors to keep it that way should go to the schools in which they live - especially if both parents aren't working and its a purely social reason.
For the working parents, I feel differently. I work but am lucky enough to have family back me up in the school where my son attends. If I weren't lucky enough to have this situation, I would feel the same as the working mothers expected to pull a trustworthy babysitter out of a hat...because Mr. Dowd said to.
Had he been truly worried, he would have made more denials to these requests last summer for last September and addressed this issue months earlier. His timing is very strange!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Agree with Brookdale
< Date: 07-Feb-00 >
My children also go to their neighborhood school and I have to agree with Brookdale. The children who are where they are should stay, they shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes of past or present administators and boards or their parents. These children are part the the commuinity or the school they're inl To them it IS their neighborhood school they shouldn't be uprooted. I also think it would be difficult for the super to decide who has valid reasons and who doesn't. REally, how many of these kids are where they are for no reason. All their parents had a reason, how could you determine which are bogus. People can come up with some pretty solid documentation when they're determined!
By the way, did a parent really have the audacity to stand up at the mike and say they're child would stay because they know the super and some BOE members? That sound unbelieveable. Probably many of them know him/them in some capacity, we all share the same town so there's no way anyone could think a special exception would be made for them.
Bottom line, think of the kids, not your predjudices towards their parents, towards Dowd or towards the BOE. Many kids are frightened and nervous and anxious right now and they shouldn't be.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Poli-Sci 101
< Date: 07-Feb-00 >
To Mr. DOWD: THOU SHALT NOT CREATE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES JUST PRIOR TO A BOARD of EDUCATION ELECTION!!NOT GOOD FOR INCUMBENT BOARD MEMBERS.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 07-Feb-00 >
Board members can show what they are made of and reject this misguided plan. If Mr. Dowd wants to enforce it, let him do it without your support. He can begin implementing next year and much less harm will be done.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 08-Feb-00 >
Right you are but the Board members running this spring have lost my vote because of this. They encouraged and approved Dowd's actions. While we want what is best for the kids, regardless of who suggests a solution, for these wannabe's it's too little too late.
Where were their hearts and brains when they were busy approving this mess? Not with the kids, as usual!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Pointing the finger
< Date: 08-Feb-00 >
The present BOE members, especially the 3 who are running this spring, will POINT THE FINGER OF BLAME to the former Superintendent.
Some of us are smart enough to have their campaign strategy figured out. CREATE A CRISIS...then BE A HERO... then GET VOTES.
The decision is the SUPERINTENDENT'S NOT THE BOARD'S. And I've heard that the Superintendent has a few "favorites" that he has already allowed to stay in their current school for as long as they want.
Some heroes!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Give the parents some ammo
< Date: 08-Feb-00 >
C'mon, name names/schools. Who are these favorites and what schools do they attend? Peer pressure is a wonderful thing and if the parents of the kids who have to leave, know some are staying because of a personal relationship with the super, these parents can use it as ammo at tonight's meeting.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Gentle reminder
< Date: 08-Feb-00 >
Names of children should never be used - by the BOE or by anyone other than their parents. They are the only innocents in this mess and should not be further used as election tools!
Those parents in the schools housing the "favorites" know exactly who they are. Enough said.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >To above
< Date: 08-Feb-00 >
On target. The children have been used enough. And as far as naming names goes....it's already been done.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >No Names
< Date: 08-Feb-00 >
Don't hurt kids by giving names. Enough people heard about this so enough people know who the parent is. No harm done telling the name of the school, however. It's Oak View.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 09-Feb-00 >
Oak View, as in the one with a majority of voting BOE members?
Such a shock!
Not!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 09-Feb-00 >
So where does the OV favorite fall? A kindergardener who can't stay regardless of their parents relationship to the super or a 1-5th grader who gets to stay with everyone else?
Just curious.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 09-Feb-00 >
In regards to Oakview as in one of the majority of voting BOE members? What does that mean? Please enlighten me as to who's children are affected BOE members or friends?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 09-Feb-00 >
Doesn't anyone have any family values anymore?Many of these children are of working class parents who need the income in order to survive! lets face it! good daycare is so difficult today, Many of these children have been with their daycare providors since infancy. These changes are of a two fold nature,First you take them from really their second home and then your disrupting their education process at the same time. Any dramatic alteration in their enviroment would be detrimental.In regards to the grandfathering clause,Since our educational system is now about business, in business when a service that was permitted, offered or extended to anyone and is no longer offered we don't cut off those already in process. It's really unfair that you Mr. Dowd grandfathered children grades 1-6 and what about those who are already attending the grammar schools in kindergarten that were already granted permission by you and the board. Not all parents have the luxury of spending their free time on the tennis courts or the carpooling issue. Just knowing your child is loved, safe and cared for sure helps a parents anxiety.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 09-Feb-00 >
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 09-Feb-00 >
what's the issue with Oakview??? How many children are we talking about kindergarten?????????
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >to 2 back
< Date: 09-Feb-00 >
you can't arbitrarily decide which school your child will feel "safe and cared for" to "help parents anxiety" when parents don't work and don't need to pick a school like ordering from a restaurant menu.
you are obviously someone with a child in kindergarden who is implying that you work but isn't admitting to it. if you were granted a favor for whatever reason, say thank you and realize all good things come to an end sooner or later.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Mr. Dowd said:
< Date: 10-Feb-00 >
If you were at the meeting you heard Mr. Dowd say he grandfathered grades 1-6 because they were involved in their school communities. He said he does not believe kindergarten are so involved.
I agree with him. They are only there for three hours per day. They don't mix with other kids in the same grade, because there are no others. They don't eat lunch with their friends. They don't play at lunch with their friends. Lots of Bloomfield kids don't even attend our kindergartens because their parents choose private, all-day kindergarten. Lots of kids attend one school for pre-school, another for kindergarten, and then begin their "real" elementary years at yet a third school. Mr. Dowd said there were 25 kids in kindergarten who are going to a "transfer" school. That's got to be the most out of any grade that's transferring all around town!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 10-Feb-00 >
Your missing the point! There are children who are in other other schools not by choice, unfortunately it just happens to be a daycare issue. I really hope that you never have worry about who's watching your children. If you read my comment its not about feeling safe in the school it's about feeling safe and secure within a nuturing day care enviroment. So nice to have your Mother in Law to watch your children!!!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 10-Feb-00 >
They left the door open for extreme circumstances. Perhaps if you have solid proof that your child is at the caretaker's home full-time your case would be considered. Unfortunately, too many people have used non-existant child care as a reason for what is in fact their preference. How's a superintendent to know who's lying?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Abuse of policy caused to this situation
< Date: 10-Feb-00 >
It's hard to believe that 25 kids in kindergarten are all registered out-of-neighborhood because of extreme child care hardships. More than a few of their parents are playing a game -- picking schools for less-than-admirable reasons. Of course they invent legitimate-sounding issues when they plead their cases to the superintendent... they'll never say because they perceive one school as academically superior to another and that of course their own mensa kiddies must go to the "best," they'll never say its becaue they're bigots, they'll never come out and say it's because they like the coffee klatch in one school better than in another-- no, they'll align themselves with those who are truly in a difficult situation -- trying to gain everyone's sympathy ("we're all in this together")... So, the same interpretation that once helped families with legit issues is now hurting them because others' selfishness caused the number of kids transferring to get out of control, in turn causing the super to say ENOUGH!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >WOW!
< Date: 10-Feb-00 >
It was predicted:
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS > < From: >Pointing the finger < Date: 08-Feb-00 >
The present BOE members, especially the 3 who are running this spring, will POINT THE FINGER OF BLAME to the former Superintendent.
And it was printed in the newspaper today! Rizz blames the prior superintendent. WHat a shock!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 11-Feb-00 >
Shows what a Bozo Rizz is since St. Dowd is the one who let the 25 kindergarden kids go elsewhere. That was this year...can't blame anyone but DDD for that one.
Sounds like whatever situation was there....Dowd pushed over the edge. Makes you yearn for the days when we had a REAL superintendent...not a political stooge.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >To above
< Date: 11-Feb-00 >
Elovitz was a political stooge, too. He just aligned himself with YOUR political pals, not theirs. Now that the tables are turned, you and yours can't stand it!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 12-Feb-00 >
Thank you Burnetts to the second power!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Cyber alert
< Date: 12-Feb-00 >
Read the post two back. Some Board authority, through slamming Dr. Elowitz and assuming that he is the only past superintendent that had qualifications, ADMITTED THAT DOWD IS A POLITICAL STOOGE and who he's loyal to!
With help like that, he'll be lucky to get a job as a substitute teacher in his next school job!
And the latest Eunich count is ??????
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Fede Blaims Parents ,Not BOE
< Date: 14-Feb-00 >
Can you believe that Fede spoke to Brookdale H & S and claimed that the Board is responcible for all decisions regarding policy and enforcing it? He said that the board takes full credit for the recent decision to grandfather 1st - 5th graders because they did not want to punish those poor transfer children for their PARENTS mistakes !!!! HELLO???!!!? When one parent spoke up to remind him that it was in fact the administration's and BOE's non-compliance with transfer policy that allowed transfers to begin with, and that they, NOT PARENTS, implemented this cruel punishment to their children, you should have seen him back peddle. He actually acknowledged the correction. What a total idiot.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >To Above
< Date: 14-Feb-00 >
Its election time...plain and simple. Fede, et al, will backpeddle, wallow, slither and speak out of which ever corner of their mouths you care to listen to...while mouthing the words "vote for me!"
Guess what boys? NO, simply put, NO WAY!
Dowd admitted to 22 children being placed in kindergardens other than where they live. Why did he bother to place them in those schools to send them back a few months later? NO ONE can blame the parents after the fact for asking...if Dowd had problems with the reasons, why did he allow it? The blame is equally shared between Dowd and the BOE - not the parents! He and Rizzitello can't blame ANY past superintendent for what DOWD did this past September! Why do you think you heard Fede backpeddle? They can't cover his butt any more!
Dowd claimed to have been bothered by this "problem" since August. Then why did he continue and EXACERBATE the practice simultaneously and why wait until now to weild his iron hand?
Dowd and his BOE flunkies don't care about ANY of the children except their own. It is time to clean house! A new and competant BOE would take Dowd in hand and not tell us on a weekly basis how wonderful he is! If he were that good, the parents would be singing his praises but they are not!
Dowd is under qualified and over egoed! The BOE falls short in the intelligence department. Who is suffering? The kids! Why should we be mad? Because the kids don't matter a hoot to this BOE or Superintendent.
Its about ego and power and we have had enough! Grandfathered or not, it's too little too late. I will vote for Huey, Dewey and Louie before I elect ANYONE associated with the hiring of DOWD!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Another Parent
< Date: 14-Feb-00 >
Oh, please. Tell me you're not taking seriously anything that comes out of Fede's mouth! Quite a show he put on at last week's board meeting, both from his chair and working the room. A real man of the people, that one. April can't come soon enough. Let's hope Rizzitello finds a new third to fill out his slate and we can all say goodbye to Mikey The Board Member.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 14-Feb-00 >
The entire slate has to go. Rizz defended Dowd by blaming the past....again....and its getting worn out!
The past is in the past. This is the present....as in where all the problems Dowd and his BOE Boobs are causing! The kindergarden fiasco happened THIS YEAR - under Dowd's watch! Put the blame where it belongs. These morons can't even stand up to their own mistakes...but then again, there are sooooooooo many!
Smoke and mirrors from them all.....NO to any slate! All it is is rubber stamp approval anyway....did you ever see them vote independently?
And you never will! Time for a change!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Constructive Critisism
< Date: 15-Feb-00 >
I agree with each and every one of you, but the fact remains that these BOE members give up an awful lot of their free time to serve on the Board, and we do not. Are you willing to step into their shoes? It's a thankless job with no paycheck, do you want it? Maybe if the BOE distributed a monthly newsletter to the students, or minutes from their meetings, there would be better communication and more continued interest and involvement by the community.
We all sit here spewing words, where is the action? Are we just gossiping? Fueling a fire with no intentions of going near it? Constructive critisism is needed, any ideas out there?
Presumably everyone on the Board is well educated, Dowd is too. All they need is to guide their incredible energy in the right direction, and it is up to the community to point the way for them. If you aren't pleased with their performance, tell them how you think they should do it, to their face at the next BOE meeting, Feb. 22. Cat got your tongue?....Write a letter and give it to the BOE secretary to put in their BOE package by Thursdays 4PM.
Bottom line is, if you want to see changes, put your money where your mouth is. OK?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Ditto, CC
< Date: 15-Feb-00 >
Amen, constructive criticism, couldn't have said it better myself!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Voices of reason finally
< Date: 15-Feb-00 >
Just when I thought there were no reasonable visitors to these threads, a couple pop up.
What all of you naysayers fail to remember is that what you are sharing here are your OPINIONS. Many others don't share your OPINIONS. We have our own. Sure there are things that we'd like to see change, change is good. But for the most part many of us are happy with the superintendent, the boe, the schools, the community, our friends, neighbors, neighborhoods, parks, programs, services. It's why we live here. So maybe you could try prefacing your statements with "in my opinion". That way, it's clear that life in this burg may not necissarily be exactly the way you see it. It's really too bad that you are so unhappy here. I can't help but wonder why you haven't moved. If I were that unhappy with my home, I'd find one that seemed better to me?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 16-Feb-00 >
The above 3 posts have been paid political announcements for Dowd and his BOE Band of renown....coming to an election booth near YOU in April!
Oh brother! Didn't we say they had too much free time? This proved it!
"incredibly educated"????? as in toll collectors, phone solicitors and substitute teachers?
Yeah, right! Thanks boyz - nice try!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Belly Aching
< Date: 16-Feb-00 >
I said "incredible energy" and "presumably educated", FYI.
I also said that I agreed with all of the naysayers, but whats the point if you take no action? Can you do any better? If you can, then do it and stop being a cry baby!
I have limited sympathy for anyone who gets their kicks by being a bully with words. Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you. Please put your money where your mouth is and stop the belly aching.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 16-Feb-00 >
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >To "Belly...." "Voice...." "Constructive...." etc
< Date: 17-Feb-00 >
Put your money where your mouth is? Why, ELEC report looking spotty?
Your words: Presumably everyone on the Board is well educated, Dowd is too.
Did you change your mind? You backpeddled! If you assume that toll collection calls for being well educated, I thank the stars you have no say in my children's education!
Your words: .Write a letter and give it to the BOE secretary to put in their BOE package by Thursdays 4PM.
Oh come now! If she didn't file the BOE prez's wife's ELEC reports - ya think she's going to forward a letter on time? And only an insider would be privy to the cut off time! Duh!
Your words: Maybe if the BOE distributed a monthly newsletter to the students, or minutes from their meetings, there would be better communication and more continued interest and involvement by the community.
How about filming the BOE meetings like they promised? Maybe they only want the involvement of those that will do it as they want it done and don't want communication so that they can continue on their reign of terror! Heck, this is the first BOE in history that hired a PR man! Guess there's only so much even HE can do about their image!
At any rate.....for someone who doesn't like them...you sure signed in under an awful lot of names defending them. But then again, guess it came with the words: I DO!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >back on track
< Date: 20-Feb-00 >
Will the BOE allow Dowd to split up families with this brainchild idea of his?
Watch their decision and remember it election time - the single most motivating force in ALL of their actions!
And if they reluctantly go along with the parents...remember it wasn't their first choice! Hold them responsible for it and DOWD at the polls!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Nary a word
< Date: 24-Feb-00 >
I picked up a copy of Bloomfield's Official Education Newspaper today, and saw nary a word about the neighborhood school issue. Did the board forget to discuss it? Did the parents forget to attend? Or did Galvacky simply forget to write about it because he was too busy politicking over Channel 35?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 25-Feb-00 >
Maybe Galvecki couldn't make coffee with da boyz - his editor sent him to bed without his dessert.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Extra Extra - You won't read all about this!
< Date: 26-Feb-00 >
The BOE voted to grandfather all the kids that DDD wanted to ship back to their "neighborhood" schools. Want to know why? Maybe it was to avoid a lawsuit! Seems DDD blew it AGAIN! Not everyone that was in the wrong school was sent back to where HE THOUGHT they belonged! Seems he overlooked quite a few addresses! Wonder why? Couldn't he read the school lines correctly or didn't he want to? Wonder what THAT lawsuit would have cost the taxpayers? Oh, that's right.....this BOE doesn't go to court where the fees are public knowledge. They SETTLE it quietly so that the settlements get hidden under a nebulous expense! Talk to the maintenance dept., the conversation will be illuminating!
And we're paying him $130,000+++ with guaranteed raises? No wonder he didn't want to be reviewed on performance like the rest of us working schlumps! He wouldn't of measured up!
And the BOE will cover this up because when HE looks bad....so do they!
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 27-Feb-00 >
See what we mean? They're not commenting....are they?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >an affected parent
< Date: 28-Mar-00 >
We know that ALL affected parents were not notified that they had to move. Wonder why?
We know that WHOLE streets were not identified as being in the wrong schools. Wonder why?
We know that the Superintendent didn't level with all of the information to the BOE. Wonder why?
We know that one of the incumbents voted AGAINST us hiding behind always supporting his Superintendent. Wonder why?
We know that the same incumbent introduced and voted for something, minutes later, that his Superintendent DID NOT support. Wonder why?
We know that we will remember the names of those that opposed our kids and felt nothing for our babysitting situations when it comes time to vote for new BOE members. Wonder why?
We know that many of us will not be supporting the budget because we no longer trust the Superintendent and certain BOE members. Wonder why?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >To affected parents
< Date: 28-Mar-00 >
Well, witholding financial support from the school your child is attending to punish a few befuddled bureaucrats. Gee, that makes lots of sense. That fact that Bloomfield students are the LEAST FUNDED kids in the county should make you feel very happy and relaxed. Repeat: Bloomfield school students get less per capita funding than any other students in Essex County. Saving 5 or 10 bucks on your annual tax bill to withold money from the schools...That'll show 'em...You'll teach those bureaucrats. Oh, by the way, which services should we cut first?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >To affected parents
< Date: 28-Mar-00 >
Well, witholding financial support from the school your child is attending to punish a few befuddled bureaucrats. Gee, that makes lots of sense. That fact that Bloomfield students are the LEAST FUNDED kids in the county should make you feel very happy and relaxed. Repeat: Bloomfield school students get less per capita funding than any other students in Essex County. Saving 5 or 10 bucks on your annual tax bill to withold money from the schools...That'll show 'em...You'll teach those bureaucrats. Oh, by the way, which services should we cut first?
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Answer
< Date: 28-Mar-00 >
You can cut channel 34 and all the stipends and new employees Dowd is so busy pushing for. That money does not educate our kids -- it's for propaganda and kingdom-building.
If this school budget fails, I wonder what the town council will do about it? Kane can't participate; neither can Daglian. Will Burnett bow out, too? It will be interesting indeed.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 28-Mar-00 >
Since when does money = quality. Is the guy in the Caddy a quality guy but not the guy in the Chevy. The urban schools get a ton of money, your tax dollars at work, does that mean you get an outstanding education? I think the above post is right on target....and just because they cut funding to channel 34 for public show doesn't mean they can't take it from someplace else come September.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >
< Date: 28-Mar-00 >
All I see is that Dowd was given a larger salary than the guy before him by the very BOE members that said the first guy was overpaid.
Dowd also needed a support cast of thousands to back up what he can't do. He's hired a ton of overpaid lackies, some of which still defy logic. A Public Relations Director? Come on! Is this Exxon or Blfd Public Schools?
Our administrative salaries are on the rise. Quality in education is slipping. Anyone bother to look at the recent "report card"? Since Dowd got in, all of our rankings have dropped.....therefore, the kids have learned less. He just makes it cost more!
With the amount of aid we got last year and this, Bloomfield should be offering better academics. We are offering overpaid administrators, promised repairs, an embarrassing tv station only available for Dowd TV, wining and dining tabs for the BOE and Administrator that most households could not consider, and the list goes on.
Lots of things I'd like more money to do in my home. But I have to work within my budget. Maybe its time Dowd and this BOE does the same thing.
I agree, throwing money at a bad situation NEVER makes it better.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >To above post
< Date: 28-Mar-00 >
For those of us who are less informed: Could you please list all the newly-hired board of ed administrators you're referring to. What are we talking about here? 10 people, 15 people, 2, 3? Please give me some evidence to back up your concern that the BOE budget is significantly larger than in years past. Figures, comparisons. Please name the new PR director and his salary. Back up you claim that spending is out of control. Don't act like you know what you are talking about unless you can prove it. Show us the money that's gone missing. Don't suggest that people are misapropriating funds unless you can provide facts instead of innuendo. Maybe everything you say is absolutely true. I honestly don't know. But I would like you to produce some credible evidence. You should have it at your finger tips, because surely your basing all these claims on some documents--and not just pulling it out of the air. Please share. Maybe you'll bring some of us around to your way of thinking.
< Subject: RE: BLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS >
< From: >Answer
< Date: 28-Mar-00 >
Above sure sounds like the words of worried board member. (Maybe worried that Valentovic would be effective in putting the breaks on Dowd and his boys' runaway spending -- or at least would be very effective in giving these "fiscal" policies the public exposure they deserve?) Above wants it sound like adding 2 or 3 new administrators would be insignificant. At $70+K each, it's big money that would go quite far in the classrooms!
As for money gone missing, at every single meeting the boe transferrs money from one account to another. That's probably what was referred to in two posts above. Not money "gone missing" per se, but money spent other than how it was budgeted. (Last meeting's transfers were approximately $17K).
Facts:
Public relations director $80K range? PLUS $2K stipend
Additional Vice Principal/BHS $70K range?
New Personnel administrator costing $20K more than the one who left
ANOTHER new secretary (Salary in 20K range)
No big secrets; all part of the agenda which is a public document. Principals and home and school presidents get them as well as board members. Ask around, you, too, can read and learn.