Norwalk parents and the Board of Education have some homework over the holiday break, courtesy of Schools Superintendent Susan Marks. On Wednesday, Marks released her recommended budget for the 2011-12 school year. It is available for download on the district's website.
The proposed $155.3 million budget reflects a 3.3 percent increase over this year's budget. At a news conference at her City Hall office, Marks told reporters that to maintain the same level of staffing and programs, she would have needed an increase of 6 percent. Consequently, the school board will have to make $4 million in cuts to balance the books.
Marks said more money is needed to cover salaries, employee health benefits and resources to support special education. "In order to send the Board of Education a budget that is fiscally responsible, this budget represents staff and program reductions at all levels of the school system: elementary, middle and high school as well as the central office," said Marks.
Most of the cuts would be in staffing. Below is a list of proposed staffing cuts from pages 8-9 of her budget book.
• High school staff cuts: One Housemaster at each high school, one security position at each high school, one Brien McMahon librarian, one school-to-career staff member at each high school.
• Middle school staffing reductions: One assistant principal at Ponus and West Rocks, 0.5 guidance counselor at Ponus and West Rocks, 0.5 guitar teacher at Ponus and West Rocks.
• Elementary school staff reductions: Two assistant principals (schools not yet determined), all Grade 1 instructional aides, intervention aides, three Columbus aides, one strings teacher (strings to start in Grade 4).
• Central office cuts: IT staff developer, full-time IT specialist becomes part time, 1.5 literacy coaches, two numeracy coaches, four reserve teachers for increased enrollment.
The budget also would cut the co-op swimming and hockey teams, as well as $20,000 from each of the high school bands.
Marks, who moved from Montgomery County, Md., to Norwalk in July, said, "I came to Norwalk to bring what I learned from my experience in a diverse school district. I came to raise the rigor and put in place programs. I'm disappointed. These are very difficult times," she said.
"As the economic situation improves, Norwalk must consider reinvesting considerably in our school system in order for our students to be competitive in the 21st century and ready for college," she wrote in the budget's introduction.
However, Marks said she was pleased the budget was created collaboratively, with input from union leaders, central office administrators and parents. "We are beginning to establish some good processes here." She also said the committee worked to make the budget document easily understandable for parents and community members.
Here are meetings you can attend to learn more about the budget or to voice your opinions:
• Jan. 3: School board finance committee to review, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 4: School board meeting to discuss the budget, 7:45 p.m.
• Jan. 6: School board budget work session, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 11: Special school board meeting to vote on budget, 7:45p.m.
What do you think of this budget proposal? What are your concerns?
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
NPS Budget Posted Online
The proposed 2011-12 NPS Operating Budget, as well as a related letter from Dr. Marks is available online on the district's home page. Pages 8-9 outline staffing cuts.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
New COO Appointment Delayed
Norwalk Public School's appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer has been delayed a couple of days. The candidacy of Craig Drezek was on the Board of Education’s agenda during Tuesday night’s meeting, but the Board decided to table approval of the appointment because his contract had not been made available to the public in advance.
“I have concerns with how this process was done. This is an issue of transparency,” said Board member Migdalia Rivas. Norwalk’s new Superintendent Susan Marks was embarassed by the breach in protocol and told the Board “This was my error in process.”
Veteran board member Jody Bishop Pullan clarified for Marks that in Norwalk the contracts of the Superintendent and her executive team including those of the Assistant Superintendent, COO, and head of HR are required by law to be made public prior to board approval.
Drezek, is currently superintendent of Regional School District 6 , a small school system in Litchfield County. He is slated to make $168,000 according to documents that were provided to the board, but information about his $7,000 annuity and other benefits were only discussed at the meeting. Drezek has an accounting degree from Teikyo Post University and received a master's degree in education from Sacred Heart University.
Drezek will replace Dan Cook who has been interim Chief Operating Officer for two and a half years, and served under four superintendents during that time. Cook will become the interim Director of Finance for Bridgeport Public Schools starting January. Drezek will not come to Norwalk until February.
Drezek was not in attendance during Tuesday night’s meeting. A special meeting of the BOE will be held on Thursday morning to approve his contract.
“I have concerns with how this process was done. This is an issue of transparency,” said Board member Migdalia Rivas. Norwalk’s new Superintendent Susan Marks was embarassed by the breach in protocol and told the Board “This was my error in process.”
Veteran board member Jody Bishop Pullan clarified for Marks that in Norwalk the contracts of the Superintendent and her executive team including those of the Assistant Superintendent, COO, and head of HR are required by law to be made public prior to board approval.
Drezek, is currently superintendent of Regional School District 6 , a small school system in Litchfield County. He is slated to make $168,000 according to documents that were provided to the board, but information about his $7,000 annuity and other benefits were only discussed at the meeting. Drezek has an accounting degree from Teikyo Post University and received a master's degree in education from Sacred Heart University.
Drezek will replace Dan Cook who has been interim Chief Operating Officer for two and a half years, and served under four superintendents during that time. Cook will become the interim Director of Finance for Bridgeport Public Schools starting January. Drezek will not come to Norwalk until February.
Drezek was not in attendance during Tuesday night’s meeting. A special meeting of the BOE will be held on Thursday morning to approve his contract.
Friday, December 17, 2010
District Seeks $4M in Budget Cuts
Norwalk Superintendent Susan Marks told her school principals that $4 million needs to be cut from next year's school budget and outlined a series of proposed cuts for them. Possible cuts include housemasters, assistant principals and elementary school aides. The actual budget will not be made public until next week.
Norwalk High School Principal Leonard Mecca attended the Wednesday meeting and wrote an email to his staff, calling the cuts "pretty devastating stuff." Among the proposed cuts at Norwalk High are one housemaster, a security guard, the School to Career Program, the police officer that monitors outdoor activities daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20,000 from the band transportation budget, and co-op athletic programs in hockey and swimming.
At the principals' meeting, Marks explained that maintaining the current level of staffing and programs would require a 6 percent increase over the current $150 million budget. Given the economy, Marks plans to present a budget with a 3.5 percent increase to the board, which means the district would need to cut $4 million.
On Thursday, The Hour also identified potential cuts, including two elementary assistant principals, two middle school assistant principals and first-grade aides.
In an interview after receiving news of the media reports and Mecca's email, Marks said the protocol is for the Board of Education to receive the budget before it goes to the public. "I wanted to give my principals the heads up," she said surprised that information had already been widely shared. She said the BOE will receive the budget next week at which time she can discuss the scope of proposed cuts in detail.
"This budget affects the entire district. I tried to be as equitable as I could. The cuts go across administration, teachers, support personnel, central office and programs. These are not fake reductions," Marks said.
"I don't like this budget. In fact, I'm calling it my 'non-recommended' budget," she said, referring to the fact that the superintendent usually presents a recommended budget to the school board. "It will hurt kids, but there is a financial reality."
Marks said she is also looking for ways to get more money for next year. On Wednesday, she instituted a spending freeze and plans to push savings forward to next year's budget.
Early next month, the superintendent will present the draft budget to the school board. It will be reviewed at public workshops before the board votes and moves it to the city.
Norwalk High School Principal Leonard Mecca attended the Wednesday meeting and wrote an email to his staff, calling the cuts "pretty devastating stuff." Among the proposed cuts at Norwalk High are one housemaster, a security guard, the School to Career Program, the police officer that monitors outdoor activities daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20,000 from the band transportation budget, and co-op athletic programs in hockey and swimming.
At the principals' meeting, Marks explained that maintaining the current level of staffing and programs would require a 6 percent increase over the current $150 million budget. Given the economy, Marks plans to present a budget with a 3.5 percent increase to the board, which means the district would need to cut $4 million.
On Thursday, The Hour also identified potential cuts, including two elementary assistant principals, two middle school assistant principals and first-grade aides.
In an interview after receiving news of the media reports and Mecca's email, Marks said the protocol is for the Board of Education to receive the budget before it goes to the public. "I wanted to give my principals the heads up," she said surprised that information had already been widely shared. She said the BOE will receive the budget next week at which time she can discuss the scope of proposed cuts in detail.
"This budget affects the entire district. I tried to be as equitable as I could. The cuts go across administration, teachers, support personnel, central office and programs. These are not fake reductions," Marks said.
"I don't like this budget. In fact, I'm calling it my 'non-recommended' budget," she said, referring to the fact that the superintendent usually presents a recommended budget to the school board. "It will hurt kids, but there is a financial reality."
Marks said she is also looking for ways to get more money for next year. On Wednesday, she instituted a spending freeze and plans to push savings forward to next year's budget.
Early next month, the superintendent will present the draft budget to the school board. It will be reviewed at public workshops before the board votes and moves it to the city.
Marks Puts Freeze on Spending
Norwalk School Superintendent Susan Marks put a spending freeze in place on Wednesday. Marks' intention is to forward savings from this year's budget to help alleviate shortages in next year's operating budget.
"I implemented a hard freeze of expenditures for the rest of the 2010-11 school year," she wrote in an email. "Any requests for exemptions to the freeze will be made to the superintendent. There may be exemptions made on a case-by-case basis, however, the purpose of the freeze is to save as much money from the 2010-11 budget that can be rolled over to be utilized for the 2011-12 school year."
In her email, Marks list the following areas to be included in the freeze:
• Administrative position vacancies are frozen and may not be filled with permanent employees.
• All vacant classroom, itinerant teacher and nonclassroom positions may be filled by long-term substitutes.
• Only emergency overtime is permitted.
• All requests for additional special education and related services staff, both certified and noncertified, must be discussed and approved with the director of pupil personnel services.
• All positions funded by grants must be approved by the superintendent.
• All grant purchases and grant money used for professional development, conferences and travel must be reviewed and approved.
• No new contractual commitments may be made except for emergency repairs, special education services and to extend existing maintenance agreements for copiers and computers.
• All commitments for consultant services will require an exception.
• School spending can continue for purchasing instructional materials for students, media materials, textbooks and training materials. Schools, however, should only purchase instructional materials and textbooks that are necessary.
• Building service supplies are exempt from the freeze.
• Materials and supplies for maintenance work and printing are exempt.
• Travel and conference commitments are frozen. Employees must not arrange travel expenditures or make commitments to participate in out-of-state conferences unless the travel was previously authorized.
• Expenditures for dues, registrations and subscriptions are frozen.
• All furniture and equipment purchases are frozen unless an exception is approved.
• Payments of existing lease or master lease obligations are exempt.
"I implemented a hard freeze of expenditures for the rest of the 2010-11 school year," she wrote in an email. "Any requests for exemptions to the freeze will be made to the superintendent. There may be exemptions made on a case-by-case basis, however, the purpose of the freeze is to save as much money from the 2010-11 budget that can be rolled over to be utilized for the 2011-12 school year."
In her email, Marks list the following areas to be included in the freeze:
• Administrative position vacancies are frozen and may not be filled with permanent employees.
• All vacant classroom, itinerant teacher and nonclassroom positions may be filled by long-term substitutes.
• Only emergency overtime is permitted.
• All requests for additional special education and related services staff, both certified and noncertified, must be discussed and approved with the director of pupil personnel services.
• All positions funded by grants must be approved by the superintendent.
• All grant purchases and grant money used for professional development, conferences and travel must be reviewed and approved.
• No new contractual commitments may be made except for emergency repairs, special education services and to extend existing maintenance agreements for copiers and computers.
• All commitments for consultant services will require an exception.
• School spending can continue for purchasing instructional materials for students, media materials, textbooks and training materials. Schools, however, should only purchase instructional materials and textbooks that are necessary.
• Building service supplies are exempt from the freeze.
• Materials and supplies for maintenance work and printing are exempt.
• Travel and conference commitments are frozen. Employees must not arrange travel expenditures or make commitments to participate in out-of-state conferences unless the travel was previously authorized.
• Expenditures for dues, registrations and subscriptions are frozen.
• All furniture and equipment purchases are frozen unless an exception is approved.
• Payments of existing lease or master lease obligations are exempt.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sup Unveils Budget Soon
Superintendent Susan Marks will unveil her 2011-12 Board of Education budget next week. Before doing so, she warns that this year, the community will 'feel some pain." Although last year Norwalk implemented a zero percent increase for the district's $150 million budget, there were no job or program cuts.
"With the loss of ARRA money, the situation is bad," says Marks, referring to $3 million of federal stimulus money that supplemented last year's operating budget. It is not being reissued for next year.
For the first time in a budget process, Marks, who started as superintendent in July, convened a budget committee made up of all the union leaders, a parent and central office administrators. "I think the process was good. Everything was in the open and there are no secrets." Marks adds, however, that she will have the final say. "This is the superintendent's budget."
Lisa Lenskold, president of the Norwalk's PTO Council, commends the superintendent's approach to the process. "Dr. Marks has done a great job bringing together the stakeholders. The committee has worked collaboratively and tirelessly during the budget preparation phase to improve transparency and ensure stakeholder representation during the budget process. I hope the parents and community will respect the process and realize that these are very difficult times."
The PTO Council has publicized several post-holiday budget meetings in which parents and community members can weigh in on the superintendent's proposed budget. The dates are subject to change so please confirm them on the district's website.
* Dec. 21-22 ; 2011-12 Budget will be available to the public
* Jan. 4; BOE Meeting, presentation of the Superintendent Budget, City Hall
* Jan. 5; Finance Committee to Review & Discuss Budget, City Hall
* Jan. 6; Budget Parent Workshop sponsored by the PTO Council, City Hall
"With the loss of ARRA money, the situation is bad," says Marks, referring to $3 million of federal stimulus money that supplemented last year's operating budget. It is not being reissued for next year.
For the first time in a budget process, Marks, who started as superintendent in July, convened a budget committee made up of all the union leaders, a parent and central office administrators. "I think the process was good. Everything was in the open and there are no secrets." Marks adds, however, that she will have the final say. "This is the superintendent's budget."
Lisa Lenskold, president of the Norwalk's PTO Council, commends the superintendent's approach to the process. "Dr. Marks has done a great job bringing together the stakeholders. The committee has worked collaboratively and tirelessly during the budget preparation phase to improve transparency and ensure stakeholder representation during the budget process. I hope the parents and community will respect the process and realize that these are very difficult times."
The PTO Council has publicized several post-holiday budget meetings in which parents and community members can weigh in on the superintendent's proposed budget. The dates are subject to change so please confirm them on the district's website.
* Dec. 21-22 ; 2011-12 Budget will be available to the public
* Jan. 4; BOE Meeting, presentation of the Superintendent Budget, City Hall
* Jan. 5; Finance Committee to Review & Discuss Budget, City Hall
* Jan. 6; Budget Parent Workshop sponsored by the PTO Council, City Hall
New Law Focuses on School Lunches
President Obama signed a bill Monday that will provide school districts with more money for lunches and improve the nutritional quality of the food sold. "This is an important and symbolic move," says Amy Kalafa, a Weston resident and the producer/director of "Two Angry Moms," an award-winning documentary about a movement to improve food in schools. Kalafa says she had been following the bill as it moved through Congress.
The $4.5 billion Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act provides a school district with an additional 6-cent per meal reimbursement to the $2.72 it already receives for children who get free lunches. The legislation also makes it easier to identify children who qualify for free lunches by using Medicaid data and eliminating paperwork requirements.
The law will especially affect schools such as Jefferson Elementary School in Norwalk, where 64 percent of the students receive free and reduced-priced lunches. "We see a lot of hungry kids. This will help," says Kathy Gallagher, Jefferson's assistant principal. "It's also important to have good quality food."
As part of the new measure, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will establish national nutrition guidelines for food sold in schools, including lunchrooms, vending machines, fundraisers and school stores. The law also provides for more after-school meals, certification requirements for cafeteria personnel and public reports on a district's school nutrition environment. Critics of the law say that it puts too many federal mandates on local districts.
Tom Murphy, spokesman for the state Department of Education, says the additional federal reimbursement will help districts. But the national nutritional guidelines will have less of an impact in Connecticut than in other parts of the country. "We already have state nutritional standards signed onto by 70 percent of our districts," says Murphy.
Susan Fiore, nutrition education coordinator at the Education Department, says the state standards, established five years ago, limit the amount of fat, saturated fat, added sugar and sodium. Norwalk and Fairfield have signed onto these voluntary state guidelines. Westport, Wilton, Darien, New Canaan, Stamford, Greenwich, Weston and Easton have not.
Wilton Public Schools have opted out of signing onto Connecticut's Heathy Food Certification because it does not allow school fundraisers like bake sales where sweets like cupcakes and brownies are sold, says Ken Post, Wilton Public School Chief Financial Officer. "Our school lunch meets and exceeds the state's standards," he adds.
The new law is part of a broader initiative by first lady Michelle Obama to fight childhood obesity. "It's great that we have Michelle Obama behind the healthy food movement," says Kalafa. "But for me, this is a still a local movement. It's not necessarily about a 6-cent reimbursement or banning certain products. And it's not about Norwalk versus Weston. It's about how a community values food."
The $4.5 billion Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act provides a school district with an additional 6-cent per meal reimbursement to the $2.72 it already receives for children who get free lunches. The legislation also makes it easier to identify children who qualify for free lunches by using Medicaid data and eliminating paperwork requirements.
The law will especially affect schools such as Jefferson Elementary School in Norwalk, where 64 percent of the students receive free and reduced-priced lunches. "We see a lot of hungry kids. This will help," says Kathy Gallagher, Jefferson's assistant principal. "It's also important to have good quality food."
As part of the new measure, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will establish national nutrition guidelines for food sold in schools, including lunchrooms, vending machines, fundraisers and school stores. The law also provides for more after-school meals, certification requirements for cafeteria personnel and public reports on a district's school nutrition environment. Critics of the law say that it puts too many federal mandates on local districts.
Tom Murphy, spokesman for the state Department of Education, says the additional federal reimbursement will help districts. But the national nutritional guidelines will have less of an impact in Connecticut than in other parts of the country. "We already have state nutritional standards signed onto by 70 percent of our districts," says Murphy.
Susan Fiore, nutrition education coordinator at the Education Department, says the state standards, established five years ago, limit the amount of fat, saturated fat, added sugar and sodium. Norwalk and Fairfield have signed onto these voluntary state guidelines. Westport, Wilton, Darien, New Canaan, Stamford, Greenwich, Weston and Easton have not.
Wilton Public Schools have opted out of signing onto Connecticut's Heathy Food Certification because it does not allow school fundraisers like bake sales where sweets like cupcakes and brownies are sold, says Ken Post, Wilton Public School Chief Financial Officer. "Our school lunch meets and exceeds the state's standards," he adds.
The new law is part of a broader initiative by first lady Michelle Obama to fight childhood obesity. "It's great that we have Michelle Obama behind the healthy food movement," says Kalafa. "But for me, this is a still a local movement. It's not necessarily about a 6-cent reimbursement or banning certain products. And it's not about Norwalk versus Weston. It's about how a community values food."
Monday, December 13, 2010
Ponus Under Attack, Anonymously
Norwalk has its own WikiLeaks problem. Like WikiLeaks, the international organization that leaked secret State Dept. memos, The Hour wrote an article last Thursday based on a leaked letter to the BOE criticizing Ponus Middle School and its Principal Linda Sumpter. The difference is that the documents used by WikiLeaks are made public and the writers are known. In the The Hour's case, however, the letter which was given such prominence, was anonymously written.
The Hour did not make the letter public, but quoting selectively from it the writer says that Sumpter has, "created a "problematic" climate and "demoralized" her employees." The letter says that fights breakout in the school, and that weapons and drugs are found at the school. It also says that Sumpter exhibits harrassing behavior towards teachers.
Assistant Superintendent Tony Dodonna discounts the letter saying ""Anybody could say anything about anyone else," but is "investigating." Teachers' Unions chief Bruce Mellion on the other hand goes on the attack saying "[Sumpter] has been allowed to run amok indefinitely."
I spoke with Ms. Sumpter the night that the article was published. She said that she prefered to take the "high road" on this issue. Sumpter said that she is willing to "sit down" and discuss problems and issues that anyone may have with he school. She said she received a lot of support from her staff and parents after the article was published. Sumpter had no comment on Mellion's remarks or the fact that the The Hour a story about an anonymous letter. Superintendent Susan Marks said she had no comment on this matter.
For all its serious allegations, this is a story of smoke and mirrors. The Hour's article reads like a whodunit story leaving more questions than solid facts. Who wrote the letter? Who leaked the letter, an insider or outsider? Who are the "sources close to the authors of the letter"? We don't know anything about the motivations of the writer(s).
If indeed there are serious problems at Ponus, shouldn't they be investigated factually? Are problems being documented? Is Central Office getting involved? What is being done to help the principal and teachers improve the learning environment for kids?
One parent I spoke to (who wanted to remain anonymous of course) questioned the need for the letter writer to remain anonymous. And I wonder that too. This parent questionned the "retaliation" teachers are subject to, especially tenured teachers. Teachers have the union to protect them from being fired, working longer hours, hold back raises. Parents, she said, don't have the same luxury of protecting their kids if they push too hard.
Sumpter is not the only principal to be a subject of local media attention. Bob McCain, principal of Nathan Hale, has been the subject of two recent articles in The Hour about two harrassment related lawsuits, one current and one past. Currently, McCain is named in a lawsuit by a former Nathan Hale gym teacher for harrassment. (According to Bruce Mellion, the gym teacher is not being represented by the teacher's union). Another article appeared last weekend, claiming that McCain was party to another similar lawsuit in a previous job in Leyard in 2003.
Looks like principals make for better headlines than even our local politicians these days.
The Hour did not make the letter public, but quoting selectively from it the writer says that Sumpter has, "created a "problematic" climate and "demoralized" her employees." The letter says that fights breakout in the school, and that weapons and drugs are found at the school. It also says that Sumpter exhibits harrassing behavior towards teachers.
Assistant Superintendent Tony Dodonna discounts the letter saying ""Anybody could say anything about anyone else," but is "investigating." Teachers' Unions chief Bruce Mellion on the other hand goes on the attack saying "[Sumpter] has been allowed to run amok indefinitely."
I spoke with Ms. Sumpter the night that the article was published. She said that she prefered to take the "high road" on this issue. Sumpter said that she is willing to "sit down" and discuss problems and issues that anyone may have with he school. She said she received a lot of support from her staff and parents after the article was published. Sumpter had no comment on Mellion's remarks or the fact that the The Hour a story about an anonymous letter. Superintendent Susan Marks said she had no comment on this matter.
For all its serious allegations, this is a story of smoke and mirrors. The Hour's article reads like a whodunit story leaving more questions than solid facts. Who wrote the letter? Who leaked the letter, an insider or outsider? Who are the "sources close to the authors of the letter"? We don't know anything about the motivations of the writer(s).
If indeed there are serious problems at Ponus, shouldn't they be investigated factually? Are problems being documented? Is Central Office getting involved? What is being done to help the principal and teachers improve the learning environment for kids?
One parent I spoke to (who wanted to remain anonymous of course) questioned the need for the letter writer to remain anonymous. And I wonder that too. This parent questionned the "retaliation" teachers are subject to, especially tenured teachers. Teachers have the union to protect them from being fired, working longer hours, hold back raises. Parents, she said, don't have the same luxury of protecting their kids if they push too hard.
Sumpter is not the only principal to be a subject of local media attention. Bob McCain, principal of Nathan Hale, has been the subject of two recent articles in The Hour about two harrassment related lawsuits, one current and one past. Currently, McCain is named in a lawsuit by a former Nathan Hale gym teacher for harrassment. (According to Bruce Mellion, the gym teacher is not being represented by the teacher's union). Another article appeared last weekend, claiming that McCain was party to another similar lawsuit in a previous job in Leyard in 2003.
Looks like principals make for better headlines than even our local politicians these days.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Kimmel on Marks' Budget Process
Bruce Kimmel is a former Board of Education member.
It seemed too good to be true when I first read the news stories, so I double-checked and, true enough, the Norwalk Board of Education, for the first time in memory, has included some of the significant stakeholders in preliminary discussions of the 2011-12 operating budget. According to reports, Superintendent Marks made sure representatives of the educational unions and the PTO Council had seats at the budget table from the get-go. Apparently, extensive meetings have been taking place on a weekly basis.
Some people might question the wisdom of including union representatives in these discussions, and they do have a point: Unions have their own interests and naturally will try to protect those interests. But so do Central Office personnel, and for years they’ve been part of the budget discussions. Plus, it’s about time we abandoned our standard budget scenario, which in the past pretty much excluded the educational unions, forcing them to present their budget ideas during the public participation phase of BOE meetings. I suspect that bringing organized labor to the table will eventually lead to some imaginative ways to save money.
Also of significance are the discussions that have taken place between the Superintendent and the city’s Finance Director, Tom Hamilton. Last year, I believe, was the first time the Finance Director and the Mayor, as well as the Board of Estimate and Taxation, met with school officials early in the budget cycle and suggested a spending cap for the 2010-11 operating budget. Unfortunately, last year’s recommendation was initially ignored as the Board initiated a game of chicken with city officials.
It might be worthwhile to briefly review what happened; hopefully, it won’t happen again: The Finance Director, the Mayor, and the BET clearly recommended that the Board adopt an operating budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year with a zero percent increase in spending. We were then in the midst of a terrible recession and revenues had decreased considerably. Ignoring the city’s fiscal watchdogs, the Board, after little discussion, adopted a budget that was five million above the recommendation.
Inexplicably, two contrary things then happened that confused the public: First, the Interim Superintendent again announced that the adopted budget was bare bones, clearly implying there was nothing to cut, apart from essential programs that benefit students. Second, Board members announced they would immediately begin looking for ways to trim the so-called bare bones budget. Finally, after considerable discussion – much of which was initiated by the unions – the Board settled on an operating budget that conformed to the recommendation from the Finance Director, the BET and Mayor.
The problem with this yearly game of chicken between city agencies and the BOE is that the public is caught in the middle and after a while doesn’t know what to believe. Last year was not the first time the BOE and the Superintendent predicted programmatic disaster, only to later make the necessary cuts without the system losing programs or key personnel. Fortunately, so far it seems the new Superintendent plans to work within the framework suggested by the Finance Director. However, I do question her use of “bare bones” so early in the process.
Nonetheless, compared to a few years ago, when budget discussions and presentations were not even properly noticed for the public, Marks seems to have adopted a radically more inclusive, as well as transparent, approach to the nitty-gritty aspects of budget crafting. Hopefully, this new approach will begin to rebuild trust among the BOE, the educational administration (often called Central Office), other city agencies and, most importantly, the public.
However, I would take this new approach a step further: To ensure the widest possible public participation, the BOE and Superintendent Marks might consider including members of “non-educational” groups, such as neighborhood or housing organizations, in these discussions.
Our public school system belongs to, and is supported by, the people of Norwalk; all the people, not only those who have a direct stake – such as a child or a job – in the system. Moreover, the long-term health of our city is in large measure dependent on the quality of education provided by our schools. It is incumbent on the BOE and the Superintendent to devise ways to include the broader public in budget discussions, as well as all other discussions that may have an impact on property taxes and property values.
The level of inclusiveness I am advocating is not the traditional way of doing things. But the world of education is changing and so must our BOE and the manner in which Norwalk develops its budgets. What could possibly be wrong with making our school budget process – and perhaps the budgets of other departments – community endeavors? Perhaps it’s time we cut through the silly distinction that divides our city into “taxpayers” and “parents,” as if these were mutually exclusive categories locked in a zero-sum budget struggle. Of course, the BOE would have final say – that’s what they were elected for – but including people with different perspectives is bound to enhance the overall process.
Bruce Kimmel
It seemed too good to be true when I first read the news stories, so I double-checked and, true enough, the Norwalk Board of Education, for the first time in memory, has included some of the significant stakeholders in preliminary discussions of the 2011-12 operating budget. According to reports, Superintendent Marks made sure representatives of the educational unions and the PTO Council had seats at the budget table from the get-go. Apparently, extensive meetings have been taking place on a weekly basis.
Some people might question the wisdom of including union representatives in these discussions, and they do have a point: Unions have their own interests and naturally will try to protect those interests. But so do Central Office personnel, and for years they’ve been part of the budget discussions. Plus, it’s about time we abandoned our standard budget scenario, which in the past pretty much excluded the educational unions, forcing them to present their budget ideas during the public participation phase of BOE meetings. I suspect that bringing organized labor to the table will eventually lead to some imaginative ways to save money.
Also of significance are the discussions that have taken place between the Superintendent and the city’s Finance Director, Tom Hamilton. Last year, I believe, was the first time the Finance Director and the Mayor, as well as the Board of Estimate and Taxation, met with school officials early in the budget cycle and suggested a spending cap for the 2010-11 operating budget. Unfortunately, last year’s recommendation was initially ignored as the Board initiated a game of chicken with city officials.
It might be worthwhile to briefly review what happened; hopefully, it won’t happen again: The Finance Director, the Mayor, and the BET clearly recommended that the Board adopt an operating budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year with a zero percent increase in spending. We were then in the midst of a terrible recession and revenues had decreased considerably. Ignoring the city’s fiscal watchdogs, the Board, after little discussion, adopted a budget that was five million above the recommendation.
Inexplicably, two contrary things then happened that confused the public: First, the Interim Superintendent again announced that the adopted budget was bare bones, clearly implying there was nothing to cut, apart from essential programs that benefit students. Second, Board members announced they would immediately begin looking for ways to trim the so-called bare bones budget. Finally, after considerable discussion – much of which was initiated by the unions – the Board settled on an operating budget that conformed to the recommendation from the Finance Director, the BET and Mayor.
The problem with this yearly game of chicken between city agencies and the BOE is that the public is caught in the middle and after a while doesn’t know what to believe. Last year was not the first time the BOE and the Superintendent predicted programmatic disaster, only to later make the necessary cuts without the system losing programs or key personnel. Fortunately, so far it seems the new Superintendent plans to work within the framework suggested by the Finance Director. However, I do question her use of “bare bones” so early in the process.
Nonetheless, compared to a few years ago, when budget discussions and presentations were not even properly noticed for the public, Marks seems to have adopted a radically more inclusive, as well as transparent, approach to the nitty-gritty aspects of budget crafting. Hopefully, this new approach will begin to rebuild trust among the BOE, the educational administration (often called Central Office), other city agencies and, most importantly, the public.
However, I would take this new approach a step further: To ensure the widest possible public participation, the BOE and Superintendent Marks might consider including members of “non-educational” groups, such as neighborhood or housing organizations, in these discussions.
Our public school system belongs to, and is supported by, the people of Norwalk; all the people, not only those who have a direct stake – such as a child or a job – in the system. Moreover, the long-term health of our city is in large measure dependent on the quality of education provided by our schools. It is incumbent on the BOE and the Superintendent to devise ways to include the broader public in budget discussions, as well as all other discussions that may have an impact on property taxes and property values.
The level of inclusiveness I am advocating is not the traditional way of doing things. But the world of education is changing and so must our BOE and the manner in which Norwalk develops its budgets. What could possibly be wrong with making our school budget process – and perhaps the budgets of other departments – community endeavors? Perhaps it’s time we cut through the silly distinction that divides our city into “taxpayers” and “parents,” as if these were mutually exclusive categories locked in a zero-sum budget struggle. Of course, the BOE would have final say – that’s what they were elected for – but including people with different perspectives is bound to enhance the overall process.
Bruce Kimmel
Expansions Get Green Light
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Five Norwalk elementary schools moved one step closer to building expansions to ease their overcrowding. On Tuesday evening, the Board of Education voted 8-1 in favor of the $4 million 2011-12 capital budget request. The budget is part of a larger approximately $30 million five-year plan that would expand Cranbury, Rowayton, Naramake, Jefferson and Columbus. The plan also includes funds to install air conditioning in all the elementary schools, upgrade technology, repair asphalt and concrete and bring other needed infrastructure improvements to the schools.
The initial $4.5 million approved by the board will begin the planning and design phase of construction at Naramake, Cranbury and Rowatyon. Actual groundbreaking at the schools wouldn’t occur until 2012-13. “Each year the budget will be brought back to the board,” said Dan Cook, the districts interim Chief Operating Officer. “Each year we will be adjusting the budget based on the previous year.”
Steve Colarossi, BOE finance committee chair, emphasized that the was “based on a study conducted by experts.” Board member Glenn Iannaccone reminded the board that Rowayton doesn’t have an auditorium that is large enough to accommodate the entire school.
BOE Chair Jack Chiaramonte described the expansion and repairs as necessary “This plan reprioritizes our needs. These are things we have to do.”
The lone dissenter, BOE member Sue Haynie, questioned the timing of the capital request. She discussed the poor state of the economy and conflicting enrollment trends in the city. District schools are “overused and underused”, she said. Haynie spoke of the possibility of a new charter school in South Norwalk the state’s inability to provide capital reimbursement. She also expressed dismay that Jefferson “has been waiting a long time.”
About the decision to delay Jefferson’s expansion plans a year, Colarossi said, “We need to spend the next year looking closely at the best possible model for Jefferson.” Currently, the school is both a magnet and neighborhood school.
Mayor Moccia, an ex-officio BOE member, addressed the fact that the state may not be in position to provide its typical 33 percent reimbursement on school construction projects which could change the City’s ability to fund the project. Nevertheless, the Mayor said, “We can’t stop the planning. We can always readjust.”
Board member Jodi Bishop-Pullan said, " It is the job of the BOE to make sure that our schools have adequate facilities. We need to move forwards with this.”
Haynie stated, “Next year, we could ask deeper questions.” She said that the current plan was “a plan in isolation, not aligned to a district vision.”
Five Norwalk elementary schools moved one step closer to building expansions to ease their overcrowding. On Tuesday evening, the Board of Education voted 8-1 in favor of the $4 million 2011-12 capital budget request. The budget is part of a larger approximately $30 million five-year plan that would expand Cranbury, Rowayton, Naramake, Jefferson and Columbus. The plan also includes funds to install air conditioning in all the elementary schools, upgrade technology, repair asphalt and concrete and bring other needed infrastructure improvements to the schools.
The initial $4.5 million approved by the board will begin the planning and design phase of construction at Naramake, Cranbury and Rowatyon. Actual groundbreaking at the schools wouldn’t occur until 2012-13. “Each year the budget will be brought back to the board,” said Dan Cook, the districts interim Chief Operating Officer. “Each year we will be adjusting the budget based on the previous year.”
Steve Colarossi, BOE finance committee chair, emphasized that the was “based on a study conducted by experts.” Board member Glenn Iannaccone reminded the board that Rowayton doesn’t have an auditorium that is large enough to accommodate the entire school.
BOE Chair Jack Chiaramonte described the expansion and repairs as necessary “This plan reprioritizes our needs. These are things we have to do.”
The lone dissenter, BOE member Sue Haynie, questioned the timing of the capital request. She discussed the poor state of the economy and conflicting enrollment trends in the city. District schools are “overused and underused”, she said. Haynie spoke of the possibility of a new charter school in South Norwalk the state’s inability to provide capital reimbursement. She also expressed dismay that Jefferson “has been waiting a long time.”
About the decision to delay Jefferson’s expansion plans a year, Colarossi said, “We need to spend the next year looking closely at the best possible model for Jefferson.” Currently, the school is both a magnet and neighborhood school.
Mayor Moccia, an ex-officio BOE member, addressed the fact that the state may not be in position to provide its typical 33 percent reimbursement on school construction projects which could change the City’s ability to fund the project. Nevertheless, the Mayor said, “We can’t stop the planning. We can always readjust.”
Board member Jodi Bishop-Pullan said, " It is the job of the BOE to make sure that our schools have adequate facilities. We need to move forwards with this.”
Haynie stated, “Next year, we could ask deeper questions.” She said that the current plan was “a plan in isolation, not aligned to a district vision.”
Monday, December 6, 2010
Colarossi Responds to Haynie Capital Critique
Steve Colarossi is the BOE Finance Committee Chairman.
As Chairperson of the Board of Education’s Finance Committee, I consider it my duty to explain the actions of the Committee as the comments posted by Mrs. Haynie do not fairly reflect our efforts. First, we have several schools that are over-crowded.
To assist us in assessing what the efforts should be to reduce this overcrowding, a competitive bid process was undertaken so that a firm would be hired to evaluate our elementary schools. The result was that Partners for Architecture was retained to study each elementary school and evaluate if, within current attendance districts, future population estimates warranted consideration of school expansion plans.
In any multivariate analysis, there must be some constants—the analytical tool fancied by Mrs. Haynie in which every conceivable and inconceivable potentiality is evaluated and factored simply does not exist.
In my opinion, the analysis undertaken is a fair assessment of future population shifts.
In my opinion, the experts retained by the Board of Education were well-versed in assessing the current data and developing an appropriate model to assess future population trends. The result was that we can expect several areas of Norwalk to see growth in the population of school-age children.This growth necessitates school expansion.
Secondly, there are significant studies that have examined the critical role a child’s physical environment has on his education—that is why I was such a vocal proponent in 2009 for the timely ordering of portable classrooms for Naramake. I knew that overcrowding, and using classrooms without adequate natural lighting, would have a profound impact on educational attainment. Therefore, expanding those schools which are currently over-crowded, and in which over-crowding is expected to continue, must be a priority. It is critical to student achievement.
Third, pre-school education is critical to our students. he program locations are not fungible, particularly for the typical-atypical programs. Therefore, there is simply no logic to suggesting that they can be moved without any analysis of the costs of retrofitting classrooms, designing physical therapy and occupational therapy facilities and training staff for the inclusion of these students.
School-based pre-school programs have been proven to close the achievement gap. Reducing or impinging those programs will undermine student achievement and should not be considered.
Fourth, the plan does not neglect Jefferson. Jefferson is blessed with an amazing principal, motivated staff and a student body that is making tremendous gains. If Jefferson were to become an entirely lottery-based magnet school, all overcrowding issues could be resolved. However, there is a significant neighborhood population that attends that school. Therefore, before there can be a final proposal for expansion and renovation of Jefferson, there must be critical dialogue with the community served by this school—which appears to be the process advocated by the critics of the capital budget proposal.Yet, the capital budget opponents use the lack of this community dialogue as a basis to prevent ANY forward movement for the overcrowded non-magnet schools.that facilitates capital (read: bricks and mortar) projects.
Our children deserve schools that are not over-crowded and we have the means to borrow a modest sum of money to take our analysis of needed school expansion to a logical next step.
Sixth, although many posters provided some detailed suggestions about operating budget reductions, the capital budget is an entirely separate matter. Capital funds cannot be used for operating expenses. Therefore, whether or not we expend $1.5 Million on elementary school projects will not impact the current operating budget.
The opinions expressed in this post reflect those of the author not NorwalkNet.com
As Chairperson of the Board of Education’s Finance Committee, I consider it my duty to explain the actions of the Committee as the comments posted by Mrs. Haynie do not fairly reflect our efforts. First, we have several schools that are over-crowded.
To assist us in assessing what the efforts should be to reduce this overcrowding, a competitive bid process was undertaken so that a firm would be hired to evaluate our elementary schools. The result was that Partners for Architecture was retained to study each elementary school and evaluate if, within current attendance districts, future population estimates warranted consideration of school expansion plans.
In any multivariate analysis, there must be some constants—the analytical tool fancied by Mrs. Haynie in which every conceivable and inconceivable potentiality is evaluated and factored simply does not exist.
In my opinion, the analysis undertaken is a fair assessment of future population shifts.
In my opinion, the experts retained by the Board of Education were well-versed in assessing the current data and developing an appropriate model to assess future population trends. The result was that we can expect several areas of Norwalk to see growth in the population of school-age children.This growth necessitates school expansion.
Secondly, there are significant studies that have examined the critical role a child’s physical environment has on his education—that is why I was such a vocal proponent in 2009 for the timely ordering of portable classrooms for Naramake. I knew that overcrowding, and using classrooms without adequate natural lighting, would have a profound impact on educational attainment. Therefore, expanding those schools which are currently over-crowded, and in which over-crowding is expected to continue, must be a priority. It is critical to student achievement.
Third, pre-school education is critical to our students. he program locations are not fungible, particularly for the typical-atypical programs. Therefore, there is simply no logic to suggesting that they can be moved without any analysis of the costs of retrofitting classrooms, designing physical therapy and occupational therapy facilities and training staff for the inclusion of these students.
School-based pre-school programs have been proven to close the achievement gap. Reducing or impinging those programs will undermine student achievement and should not be considered.
Fourth, the plan does not neglect Jefferson. Jefferson is blessed with an amazing principal, motivated staff and a student body that is making tremendous gains. If Jefferson were to become an entirely lottery-based magnet school, all overcrowding issues could be resolved. However, there is a significant neighborhood population that attends that school. Therefore, before there can be a final proposal for expansion and renovation of Jefferson, there must be critical dialogue with the community served by this school—which appears to be the process advocated by the critics of the capital budget proposal.Yet, the capital budget opponents use the lack of this community dialogue as a basis to prevent ANY forward movement for the overcrowded non-magnet schools.that facilitates capital (read: bricks and mortar) projects.
Our children deserve schools that are not over-crowded and we have the means to borrow a modest sum of money to take our analysis of needed school expansion to a logical next step.
Sixth, although many posters provided some detailed suggestions about operating budget reductions, the capital budget is an entirely separate matter. Capital funds cannot be used for operating expenses. Therefore, whether or not we expend $1.5 Million on elementary school projects will not impact the current operating budget.
The opinions expressed in this post reflect those of the author not NorwalkNet.com
Parent Has Concerns about Capital Budget
This is a letter by Lisa Thomson, parent activist concerning the capital budget request.
To: Messrs. Chiarmonte, Colarossi, Hempstead and Wilms
cc: Dr. Marks
I’m writing to you over concerns I still have regarding the 2011-2012 Preliminary Capital Budget request from the NPS Facilities and Maintenance Department. The state of our economy and education at both a national and state level cannot be ignored as we consider our own circumstances here in the City of Norwalk. Please consider the larger educational REFORM picture when casting your vote on how best to incur city capital expenses in education:
Does it decrease the achievement gap in Norwalk?
• Connecticut has the largest achievement gap in the country. Norwalk represents that gap given the diverse racial and socio-economics of our school district.
• The state recently received an application by Reverend Lindsay Curtis for a new Charter School at the elementary level. This is an effort to deal with Norwalk’s achievement gap with its students in South Norwalk, who lack their own local school and who, as a subgroup suffer the lowest performance scores on the CMTs.
• The school that seems to be the most in need of construction and renovation, with one of the largest student populations, and the only Norwalk school visible from an intra-state (Route 7), has been placed at the bottom of the construction list.
Does it improve adult accountability with respect to achievement?
• Due to historical contract negotiations, as parents and taxpayers, we suffer a union that dictates our school calendar, and class size, thus impacting the usage, the flexibility and the requirements for classroom space.
• We currently have an uneven distribution of students across this city due to both positive and negative circumstances that can be directly attributed to: a school’s reputation, principal leadership, as well as the successful or failed deployment of academic programs.
Have other options/considerations been fully explored before incurring this sort of debt?
• Historically speaking, magnet programs have proven very successful in Norwalk and other cities in terms of raising academic achievement and influencing school choice within the district at both and elementary, middle and high school level (Columbus, Jefferson, and CGS), but some have not (Silvermine).
• Some elementary schools have added Pre-K programs without taking into consideration future K-5 enrollment plans and this is now adversely impacting regular classrooms.
• Has the district tracked the number of children from the elementary schools to determine how many move through the NPS system onto our middle and high schools?
During my own review and participation in this process at Board of Ed meetings, I have observed the following:
• A single pre-school complaint at Cranbury from one physical therapist and parent was enough for the Board of Education to shelve a plan for re-locating the preschool a few miles away to a neighboring elementary with empty classrooms. What cost does that portion impose on the facilities and maintenance project?
• In lieu of the construction of a computer lab at another elementary school, has the facilities department spoken with the technology department and considered the possibility of deploying wireless technology directly into classrooms, thus enabling teachers to offer differentiated instruction, in real time, in the classroom? What would be that cost versus construction of a new computer lab?
• Arts and Music are critical to learning, but as a district in need of improvement, is building a music room and art room our highest priority at the moment? As many children in Norwalk participate in After School Programs, has the district considered offering arts outside of traditional school hours, thus increasing academic time during the regular school day and making better use of space?
I am a big proponent of INVESTMENT in education that promotes and supports REFORM initiatives like for example, air conditioning for year round school access or bringing technology into the classroom, so that teachers can tailor their instructional time. I am sure that there are many capital investment opportunities. However, bricks and mortar for building classrooms in one part of town, while classrooms remain empty in another part of town, will not solve Norwalk’s achievement gap or academic rigor issues. One need only look around, to the abandoned school sites, dotted around town that have been converted (or not) into other uses over the years.
I have no doubt that you each share a commitment to education, but your councils also have a fiduciary responsibility to the City of Norwalk. My hope is that you are CONFIDENT that all potential options have been vetted before committing the city to additional debt. To do so, without making sure that the investment was tied to REFORM would be a disservice to Norwalk’s children and its taxpayers. This is the direction the country is moving in and it should also be ours.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Lisa Brinton Thomson
The opinions in this letter express the views of the author and not NorwalkNet.com.
To: Messrs. Chiarmonte, Colarossi, Hempstead and Wilms
cc: Dr. Marks
I’m writing to you over concerns I still have regarding the 2011-2012 Preliminary Capital Budget request from the NPS Facilities and Maintenance Department. The state of our economy and education at both a national and state level cannot be ignored as we consider our own circumstances here in the City of Norwalk. Please consider the larger educational REFORM picture when casting your vote on how best to incur city capital expenses in education:
Does it decrease the achievement gap in Norwalk?
• Connecticut has the largest achievement gap in the country. Norwalk represents that gap given the diverse racial and socio-economics of our school district.
• The state recently received an application by Reverend Lindsay Curtis for a new Charter School at the elementary level. This is an effort to deal with Norwalk’s achievement gap with its students in South Norwalk, who lack their own local school and who, as a subgroup suffer the lowest performance scores on the CMTs.
• The school that seems to be the most in need of construction and renovation, with one of the largest student populations, and the only Norwalk school visible from an intra-state (Route 7), has been placed at the bottom of the construction list.
Does it improve adult accountability with respect to achievement?
• Due to historical contract negotiations, as parents and taxpayers, we suffer a union that dictates our school calendar, and class size, thus impacting the usage, the flexibility and the requirements for classroom space.
• We currently have an uneven distribution of students across this city due to both positive and negative circumstances that can be directly attributed to: a school’s reputation, principal leadership, as well as the successful or failed deployment of academic programs.
Have other options/considerations been fully explored before incurring this sort of debt?
• Historically speaking, magnet programs have proven very successful in Norwalk and other cities in terms of raising academic achievement and influencing school choice within the district at both and elementary, middle and high school level (Columbus, Jefferson, and CGS), but some have not (Silvermine).
• Some elementary schools have added Pre-K programs without taking into consideration future K-5 enrollment plans and this is now adversely impacting regular classrooms.
• Has the district tracked the number of children from the elementary schools to determine how many move through the NPS system onto our middle and high schools?
During my own review and participation in this process at Board of Ed meetings, I have observed the following:
• A single pre-school complaint at Cranbury from one physical therapist and parent was enough for the Board of Education to shelve a plan for re-locating the preschool a few miles away to a neighboring elementary with empty classrooms. What cost does that portion impose on the facilities and maintenance project?
• In lieu of the construction of a computer lab at another elementary school, has the facilities department spoken with the technology department and considered the possibility of deploying wireless technology directly into classrooms, thus enabling teachers to offer differentiated instruction, in real time, in the classroom? What would be that cost versus construction of a new computer lab?
• Arts and Music are critical to learning, but as a district in need of improvement, is building a music room and art room our highest priority at the moment? As many children in Norwalk participate in After School Programs, has the district considered offering arts outside of traditional school hours, thus increasing academic time during the regular school day and making better use of space?
I am a big proponent of INVESTMENT in education that promotes and supports REFORM initiatives like for example, air conditioning for year round school access or bringing technology into the classroom, so that teachers can tailor their instructional time. I am sure that there are many capital investment opportunities. However, bricks and mortar for building classrooms in one part of town, while classrooms remain empty in another part of town, will not solve Norwalk’s achievement gap or academic rigor issues. One need only look around, to the abandoned school sites, dotted around town that have been converted (or not) into other uses over the years.
I have no doubt that you each share a commitment to education, but your councils also have a fiduciary responsibility to the City of Norwalk. My hope is that you are CONFIDENT that all potential options have been vetted before committing the city to additional debt. To do so, without making sure that the investment was tied to REFORM would be a disservice to Norwalk’s children and its taxpayers. This is the direction the country is moving in and it should also be ours.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Lisa Brinton Thomson
The opinions in this letter express the views of the author and not NorwalkNet.com.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Haynie Questions Capital Request, Not 'New Normal'
Sue Haynie is a member of Norwalk's Board of Education.
The recession has created a fiscal austerity for public schooling that is being called the ‘New Normal’, with predictions that the effects of this recession could last 5 years or longer. Few have money to spare--not the Feds, not the State, not the City and certainly not the taxpayer.
The Norwalk Board of Education (BOE) will be voting on the BOE Finance Committees 5 year, approximately $35+/- million Preliminary Capital Budget request on December 6th. Has the BOE done its due diligence, or has it shirked it’s duty and left the hard questions for other government bodies to wrangle with? In times like these, when the BOE asks for $35+/- million of taxpayer money, there should be real clear answers to questions such as--- Is the bulk of this request based on a solid plan of action and solid data? Was the process as transparent as it should have been? Were the tough questions asked—and answered? Is it equitable? Does this request make sense at this time, right now? Have all alternatives been fully investigated? My feeling is that the answer to all these questions is a ‘no’.
The recession has created a fiscal austerity for public schooling that is being called the ‘New Normal’, with predictions that the effects of this recession could last 5 years or longer. Few have money to spare--not the Feds, not the State, not the City and certainly not the taxpayer.
The Norwalk Board of Education (BOE) will be voting on the BOE Finance Committees 5 year, approximately $35+/- million Preliminary Capital Budget request on December 6th. Has the BOE done its due diligence, or has it shirked it’s duty and left the hard questions for other government bodies to wrangle with? In times like these, when the BOE asks for $35+/- million of taxpayer money, there should be real clear answers to questions such as--- Is the bulk of this request based on a solid plan of action and solid data? Was the process as transparent as it should have been? Were the tough questions asked—and answered? Is it equitable? Does this request make sense at this time, right now? Have all alternatives been fully investigated? My feeling is that the answer to all these questions is a ‘no’.
Capital budgets, like this request, are primarily about ‘bricks and mortar’ and little of the funding is directly related to student achievement. Norwalk schools biggest problem is student achievement and accountability. This is a 5-year Capital Budget request that isn’t aligned with a 5-year district strategic plan. The tough questions were ignored or sidelined. We’re asking taxpayers to spend millions of dollars of money and we’re not sure where we’re going with it.
Some of the funding that has been requested is clearly needed. There is a need for the asphalt, paving, rigging and gym door repairs. It makes total sense to add A/C to those elementary schools without it to allow for 12 month educational access. A number of left-over Priority 5 ‘must-do’ items from the previous 5 year plan involving repairs at a large number of district schools should be addressed. The technology request is modest. These items alone represent millions of dollars.
As for school additions, we already have unused and underused space in the district. Why are we asking for millions of dollars in additions, in this economic climate, when we have not asked the why and what of those underused spaces? And, what’s the rush? If there is, in fact, such urgency, the school first in line would be Jefferson—and it’s not. Jefferson has 8 portables that have been in place for 6 years, has not been significantly renovated in 40 years, sits on a mere 6 acres of land, has playgrounds with no grass, kindergartens with no direct egress and has had consistent, long-term enrollment increases year after year---no other district school can claim anywhere near the same extent of need or ‘urgency’.
The New Normal, as Ed Secretary Arne Duncan notes, is a future of doing more with less, thinking before spending, a time to explore productive alternatives to the old way of doing things, an opportunity to innovate and a time of using what you’ve got and using it very well. The Preliminary Capital Budget request that will be voted on December 6th is not the New Normal, but rather the same old same old and I will vote no.
Sue Haynie
Republican Board of Ed Member
The opinions expressed in this post represent those of the author and not NorwalkNet.com
Kindergarten Age Change Proposed
The State Board of Education voted Wednesday to have fewer 4-year-old children entering kindergarten. The plan, which still needs approval by the General Assembly, moves up the kindergarten cutoff dates three months to Oct. 1 and will be phased in over four years. The current cutoff is Jan. 1.
The board says that there is now too wide an age range in kindergarten classrooms. The span is 4 to 6½ years old. Less variation in age makes teaching more focused and developmentally appropriate and could help address the state’s achievement gap.
"I think it would be a good change," says Susan Zanone, a kindergarten teacher at Columbus Magnet School in Norwalk who has been teaching for 20 years. "Kindergarten has changed so much. The expectations and requirements are more demanding. Some 4-year-olds are just not ready."
In addition, the state board wants to require parents who are considering delaying their children’s kindergarten entry a year to get approval from local boards of education. Some parents hold back their children because they are not mature enough or to give them an advantage in sports. Alternatively, the change will worry some parents because it means an extra year of preschool fees or inadequate childcare.
Superintendent Susan Marks agrees with changing the age to enter kindergarten, provided that there are good preschool options available. "It's good to start the kids older, as long as there is universal preschool with quality programs," she says.
Currently, Connecticut has one of the latest kindergarten cutoff dates in the nation. The proposed date change would bring the state in line with the rest of the country.
The board says that there is now too wide an age range in kindergarten classrooms. The span is 4 to 6½ years old. Less variation in age makes teaching more focused and developmentally appropriate and could help address the state’s achievement gap.
"I think it would be a good change," says Susan Zanone, a kindergarten teacher at Columbus Magnet School in Norwalk who has been teaching for 20 years. "Kindergarten has changed so much. The expectations and requirements are more demanding. Some 4-year-olds are just not ready."
In addition, the state board wants to require parents who are considering delaying their children’s kindergarten entry a year to get approval from local boards of education. Some parents hold back their children because they are not mature enough or to give them an advantage in sports. Alternatively, the change will worry some parents because it means an extra year of preschool fees or inadequate childcare.
Superintendent Susan Marks agrees with changing the age to enter kindergarten, provided that there are good preschool options available. "It's good to start the kids older, as long as there is universal preschool with quality programs," she says.
Currently, Connecticut has one of the latest kindergarten cutoff dates in the nation. The proposed date change would bring the state in line with the rest of the country.
Roton Obama Trip Gets No School Funds
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Superintendent Susan Marks says no taxpayer money will be used to pay for buses for a field trip, which transported Roton Middle schoolers to see President Obama in Bridgeport last month. Students from Roton's Aspiring Males (RAM), an afterschool leadership development programs for boys, attended the Moving America Forward rally at which President Obama campaigned for incumbent congressman Jim Himes and US senate candidate Richard Blumenthal.
On Monday, Republican Town Committee Chairman Art Scialabba sent Marks an email asking for clarification about the trip and specificially who paid for it. After reading about in the Nov. 24 Norwalk Citizen News ("Roton's Aspiring Males are learning life's lessons"), Scialabba said he had concerns. "I wanted to make sure that kids were not being brought to a rally at taxpayer expense," he said. "There is a distinction between an official speaking in a public capacity and polititical one."
Marks responded to Scialabba by memo on Tuesday. "Norwalk Public Schools' money has not been used," she wrote. Scialabba said he was satisfied with Marks' response. It is not clear, however, who will pay for the buses. The bus company usually bills the schools for their services. Phone calls and email to the Roton principal and vice principal were not returned. According to Mike Barbis, the co-president of the Roton Parent Teacher Committee, the PTC has not been asked to pay for the buses.
"I want to listen and be responsive to concerns of the community," said Marks in an interview. "However," she added, "I think it is important to expose our students to educational opportunites that will increase their understanding of the world. Seeing the President is very exciting. The club trip was not intended to be political in nature."
Barbis said he also wrote a letter to Marks in support of the trip. "This was all about civics and nothing about politics," he said in his letter. "Allegations that this was a politicized outing and should not have been funded by the school system have it all wrong and do not understand what the RAMs program is all about."
Barbis's son, who participates in RAM program, went on the field trip. "The trip organizers talked to the kids and explained that this is a rally, and that they don't have to agree with it. They put it into context," said Barbis.
Lisa Thomson, the Roton PTC's other co-president agreed with Barbis and calls the Republican Town Committee's probe "disingenous and party politics." "Where are my politicians on real educational issues?" asks Thomson, a self-described independent, who is founder of REd Apples of Norwalk, a parent advocacy group on education issues. "Our kids go to IMAX and restaurants on Norwalk's dime. They shouldn't go see the President?"
BOE Chairman Jack Chiaramonte, a Republican, disagrees with the Roton parents. He called the trip a form of "indoctrination" and sees a "double standard" among liberals. "If this were a Republican or the Tea Party, the Left would be up in arms." Chiaramonte, like Scialabba, takes issue with the fact the event was a political rally. "If Obama was talking about an important issue, I'd be there with my family. But he wasn't. It was a rah rah rally."
Bob Duff, Norwalk’s Democratic State Senator said concerns about the field trip are overblown. "This was a whole lot of nothing," he said. "Our President was 10 miles away. Most Americans never get a chance to see the President." Duff notes that he, a Democrat, made sure to see George W. Bush when he used to come to the area. "Just because an event is partisan doesn't mean we should restrict the kids from going. The leaders of group have to make sure the kids understand that it is a partisan event and that there are other points of view. The kids should have an understanding of how government works."
Superintendent Susan Marks says no taxpayer money will be used to pay for buses for a field trip, which transported Roton Middle schoolers to see President Obama in Bridgeport last month. Students from Roton's Aspiring Males (RAM), an afterschool leadership development programs for boys, attended the Moving America Forward rally at which President Obama campaigned for incumbent congressman Jim Himes and US senate candidate Richard Blumenthal.
On Monday, Republican Town Committee Chairman Art Scialabba sent Marks an email asking for clarification about the trip and specificially who paid for it. After reading about in the Nov. 24 Norwalk Citizen News ("Roton's Aspiring Males are learning life's lessons"), Scialabba said he had concerns. "I wanted to make sure that kids were not being brought to a rally at taxpayer expense," he said. "There is a distinction between an official speaking in a public capacity and polititical one."
Marks responded to Scialabba by memo on Tuesday. "Norwalk Public Schools' money has not been used," she wrote. Scialabba said he was satisfied with Marks' response. It is not clear, however, who will pay for the buses. The bus company usually bills the schools for their services. Phone calls and email to the Roton principal and vice principal were not returned. According to Mike Barbis, the co-president of the Roton Parent Teacher Committee, the PTC has not been asked to pay for the buses.
"I want to listen and be responsive to concerns of the community," said Marks in an interview. "However," she added, "I think it is important to expose our students to educational opportunites that will increase their understanding of the world. Seeing the President is very exciting. The club trip was not intended to be political in nature."
Barbis said he also wrote a letter to Marks in support of the trip. "This was all about civics and nothing about politics," he said in his letter. "Allegations that this was a politicized outing and should not have been funded by the school system have it all wrong and do not understand what the RAMs program is all about."
Barbis's son, who participates in RAM program, went on the field trip. "The trip organizers talked to the kids and explained that this is a rally, and that they don't have to agree with it. They put it into context," said Barbis.
Lisa Thomson, the Roton PTC's other co-president agreed with Barbis and calls the Republican Town Committee's probe "disingenous and party politics." "Where are my politicians on real educational issues?" asks Thomson, a self-described independent, who is founder of REd Apples of Norwalk, a parent advocacy group on education issues. "Our kids go to IMAX and restaurants on Norwalk's dime. They shouldn't go see the President?"
BOE Chairman Jack Chiaramonte, a Republican, disagrees with the Roton parents. He called the trip a form of "indoctrination" and sees a "double standard" among liberals. "If this were a Republican or the Tea Party, the Left would be up in arms." Chiaramonte, like Scialabba, takes issue with the fact the event was a political rally. "If Obama was talking about an important issue, I'd be there with my family. But he wasn't. It was a rah rah rally."
Bob Duff, Norwalk’s Democratic State Senator said concerns about the field trip are overblown. "This was a whole lot of nothing," he said. "Our President was 10 miles away. Most Americans never get a chance to see the President." Duff notes that he, a Democrat, made sure to see George W. Bush when he used to come to the area. "Just because an event is partisan doesn't mean we should restrict the kids from going. The leaders of group have to make sure the kids understand that it is a partisan event and that there are other points of view. The kids should have an understanding of how government works."
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Budget: Will this year be different?
At last week's PTO Council meeting, Dr. Marks talked about this year's budget which promises to be as tight as the previous couple of years. Some parents expressed budget fatigue and suspicion. Who can blame them? The budget dance with all its threats of cuts and union vs. BOE antics, is suprisingly similar year after year and parents are catching on.
Dr. Marks explained at the meeting that she is approaching budget discussions differently by forming a committee composed of Central Office administrators, union leaders, and a parent.
In one respect it makes sense to have union participation in the development of a budget. After all salaries make up up the lionshare of the district's operational expenses. Marks said the group is going through the budget line by line and "scrubbing it" presumably to get rid of any excesses. However a part of me can't help but wonder how any meaningful changes can be made if Marks has to run every idea by a union head who has the ability to say "no." Unions by their nature are supposed to act in the best interestes of their members, but Marks is supposed to act in the best interest of our children's education. Sometimes those interests are aligned. Many other times they conflict especially if you're asking teachers to change how they've been doing their jobs.
When Marks discussed the budget last Monday, I expected to hear the words like "rethink," "restructure," and "reorganize". I am waiting not only for a new process from our schools chief but new ideas that will bring about improved results. We'll see next week, when Marks presents the draft budget to the BOE whether we'll be singing a new tune or dancing the same old dance.
Dr. Marks explained at the meeting that she is approaching budget discussions differently by forming a committee composed of Central Office administrators, union leaders, and a parent.
In one respect it makes sense to have union participation in the development of a budget. After all salaries make up up the lionshare of the district's operational expenses. Marks said the group is going through the budget line by line and "scrubbing it" presumably to get rid of any excesses. However a part of me can't help but wonder how any meaningful changes can be made if Marks has to run every idea by a union head who has the ability to say "no." Unions by their nature are supposed to act in the best interestes of their members, but Marks is supposed to act in the best interest of our children's education. Sometimes those interests are aligned. Many other times they conflict especially if you're asking teachers to change how they've been doing their jobs.
When Marks discussed the budget last Monday, I expected to hear the words like "rethink," "restructure," and "reorganize". I am waiting not only for a new process from our schools chief but new ideas that will bring about improved results. We'll see next week, when Marks presents the draft budget to the BOE whether we'll be singing a new tune or dancing the same old dance.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Expansions Planned at Five Schools
Five Norwalk elementary schools may be expanded to address increasing enrollment and overcrowding issues. The Board of Education's $28 million capital budget request for 2011-12 includes construction at Naramake, Cranbury, Rowayton, Columbus and Jefferson elementary schools and air conditioning at all elementary schools.
Expected for a school board vote next week, the five-year capital request will be passed on to the city's Finance Department in early December.
The school board based its capital request on an elementary school facilities study by Partners for Architecture, available on the district's homepage. In July, the firm recommended expansion at the five schools based on current space usage and enrollment projections. The middle schools and high schools have adequate capacity.
"We recognized that enrollment was going up in some elementary schools," said Mark Gorian, director of NPS facilities, who said no building work has been done in the last four to five years. There are four portables at Rowayton, a portable at Naramake and an eight-classroom portable at Jefferson Elementary to handle overflow.
Gorian said schools also need more space for the preschools housed in the elementary schools, new computer labs and classrooms for special needs students and English language learners. More elementary schools are running year-round and longer days, he said, explaining the need for air conditioning.
"We are trying to bring equity to all of the school," Gorian said. "There should be dedicated space at all the schools for the same services like art and music. At some schools, students have art brought into their classrooms on a cart and no dedicated space."
The capital request spans five years. Work at Naramake, Rowayton and Cranbury is scheduled to start next year because the "need is most immediate," Gorian said. Jefferson and Columbus are scheduled for the following year. The capital also includes funds for asphalt and concrete for improved sidewalks and driveways, stage rigging systems and curtains, and folding gym doors. Capital projects at schools are financed and managed by the city.
BOE Chair Jack Chiaramonte stressed that the capital request, even if it passed by the school board, is "preliminary". "It still has to pass through some hoops on the cityside," he said. In addition, Chiaramonte added that because of the the state's fiscal problems and deficit, the state may not be offering its usual refund to help play for school capital improvement projects.
Expected for a school board vote next week, the five-year capital request will be passed on to the city's Finance Department in early December.
The school board based its capital request on an elementary school facilities study by Partners for Architecture, available on the district's homepage. In July, the firm recommended expansion at the five schools based on current space usage and enrollment projections. The middle schools and high schools have adequate capacity.
"We recognized that enrollment was going up in some elementary schools," said Mark Gorian, director of NPS facilities, who said no building work has been done in the last four to five years. There are four portables at Rowayton, a portable at Naramake and an eight-classroom portable at Jefferson Elementary to handle overflow.
Gorian said schools also need more space for the preschools housed in the elementary schools, new computer labs and classrooms for special needs students and English language learners. More elementary schools are running year-round and longer days, he said, explaining the need for air conditioning.
"We are trying to bring equity to all of the school," Gorian said. "There should be dedicated space at all the schools for the same services like art and music. At some schools, students have art brought into their classrooms on a cart and no dedicated space."
The capital request spans five years. Work at Naramake, Rowayton and Cranbury is scheduled to start next year because the "need is most immediate," Gorian said. Jefferson and Columbus are scheduled for the following year. The capital also includes funds for asphalt and concrete for improved sidewalks and driveways, stage rigging systems and curtains, and folding gym doors. Capital projects at schools are financed and managed by the city.
BOE Chair Jack Chiaramonte stressed that the capital request, even if it passed by the school board, is "preliminary". "It still has to pass through some hoops on the cityside," he said. In addition, Chiaramonte added that because of the the state's fiscal problems and deficit, the state may not be offering its usual refund to help play for school capital improvement projects.
Cranbury Celebrates New Playground
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com
All of Cranbury Elementary School piled onto their new playground on a blustery Wednesday morning chanting "Playground! Playground!" The students were celebrating the official opening of the play area and its new swings, climbing structures and lots of monkey bars.
PTO President April Guilbault, along with the playground committee of Cranbury dads Bill Smith, John Claudio, Tony Brown and George Arvanitis, cut the red ribbon.
The playground had been over a year in the making, says Guilbault, who spearheaded the project. "The old playground was sad. It was small, had no swings, broken parts, chipped paint, and just wasn't safe," she said of the 13-year-old facility. "The new playground utilizes the space much better."
After becoming PTO president, Guilbault reached out to Mike Moccaie, director of Parks and Recreation, and made the case for a new playground. "It was a question of good timing, need and speaking up," says Guilbault.
The city's playgrounds, including the ones at schools, are paid for and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Dept. Cranbury's playground cost $89,000, according to Moccaie. The life expectancy of a playground is approximately 15 years, during which the city replaces equipment as needed. Wolfpit and Jefferson Elementary Schools are slated to get new playgrounds in the next year, says Moccaie.
Cranbury PTO mom Susan Zelman adds, "This school is a big believer in going outside for recess every day." Zelman's second-grade son, Alex, goes out for recess after lunch and is excited about one new playground feature. "I'm happy it has swings."
Guilbault adds that the playground is used by more than just the school. "This is a neighborhood playground," she says, noting that there are summer camps at the school and baseball games on the adjacent field. "It is used by so many kids."
Are you satisfied with the playground at your school?
All of Cranbury Elementary School piled onto their new playground on a blustery Wednesday morning chanting "Playground! Playground!" The students were celebrating the official opening of the play area and its new swings, climbing structures and lots of monkey bars.
PTO President April Guilbault, along with the playground committee of Cranbury dads Bill Smith, John Claudio, Tony Brown and George Arvanitis, cut the red ribbon.
The playground had been over a year in the making, says Guilbault, who spearheaded the project. "The old playground was sad. It was small, had no swings, broken parts, chipped paint, and just wasn't safe," she said of the 13-year-old facility. "The new playground utilizes the space much better."
After becoming PTO president, Guilbault reached out to Mike Moccaie, director of Parks and Recreation, and made the case for a new playground. "It was a question of good timing, need and speaking up," says Guilbault.
The city's playgrounds, including the ones at schools, are paid for and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Dept. Cranbury's playground cost $89,000, according to Moccaie. The life expectancy of a playground is approximately 15 years, during which the city replaces equipment as needed. Wolfpit and Jefferson Elementary Schools are slated to get new playgrounds in the next year, says Moccaie.
Cranbury PTO mom Susan Zelman adds, "This school is a big believer in going outside for recess every day." Zelman's second-grade son, Alex, goes out for recess after lunch and is excited about one new playground feature. "I'm happy it has swings."
Guilbault adds that the playground is used by more than just the school. "This is a neighborhood playground," she says, noting that there are summer camps at the school and baseball games on the adjacent field. "It is used by so many kids."
Are you satisfied with the playground at your school?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Marks Warns of 'Bare Bones' Budget
Superintendent Susan Marks told the district's PTO Council that she expects a "bare bones" operating budget for the 2011-12 school year even though spending is expected to increase.
Marks told the council at a meeting Monday night that she has met with Tom Hamilton, city director of finance, who indicated the school board should expect a 2.5 percent to 3 percent increase over last year's $150 million budget. Last year, the city gave the schools a zero percent increase.
"We plan to present a budget that is frugal, with no extras, but that meets our needs," said Marks, who didn't rule out cuts. "We may need to cut people or programs."
Marks said employee benefits and negotiated salary increases eat up most of that increase. She also noted that this year the district is losing $2.8 million in federal stimulus funds. In addition, Marks predicts a loss of $1.4 million in state funding.
But Marks hopes to have $500,000 carried over from a jobs bill passed by Congress in September to save teaching jobs, and she's also seeking grants.
For the past five weeks, a budget committee has been meeting and "going over each line and scrubbing the budget," Marks said. Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, attended Monday's meeting. "This is the first time such a committee has met. We are all involved from Day 1," said Mellion, who sits on the committee, with administrators, union representatives and parents.
Marks and Mellion emphasized the need for parents to advocate for the schools before city officials who determine the budget. Kerry O'Neill, PTOC vice president, pointed to a perceived "lack of trust" among the school board, the city and parents.
"We've been through this before," she said. Marks said she hopes to rebuild that trust.
The draft budget will be presented to the school board early next month. On Dec. 13, the PTOC will discuss it.
Marks told the council at a meeting Monday night that she has met with Tom Hamilton, city director of finance, who indicated the school board should expect a 2.5 percent to 3 percent increase over last year's $150 million budget. Last year, the city gave the schools a zero percent increase.
"We plan to present a budget that is frugal, with no extras, but that meets our needs," said Marks, who didn't rule out cuts. "We may need to cut people or programs."
Marks said employee benefits and negotiated salary increases eat up most of that increase. She also noted that this year the district is losing $2.8 million in federal stimulus funds. In addition, Marks predicts a loss of $1.4 million in state funding.
But Marks hopes to have $500,000 carried over from a jobs bill passed by Congress in September to save teaching jobs, and she's also seeking grants.
For the past five weeks, a budget committee has been meeting and "going over each line and scrubbing the budget," Marks said. Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, attended Monday's meeting. "This is the first time such a committee has met. We are all involved from Day 1," said Mellion, who sits on the committee, with administrators, union representatives and parents.
Marks and Mellion emphasized the need for parents to advocate for the schools before city officials who determine the budget. Kerry O'Neill, PTOC vice president, pointed to a perceived "lack of trust" among the school board, the city and parents.
"We've been through this before," she said. Marks said she hopes to rebuild that trust.
The draft budget will be presented to the school board early next month. On Dec. 13, the PTOC will discuss it.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
ConnCAN Gives Norwalk Sub Par Grades
ConnCAN, a state educational advocacy group, gave the Norwalk school district lackluster grades, mostly Cs, Ds and Fs, in student performance on its annual school report cards. On Friday, The Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN) released its 2010 School Report Cards, assigning letter grades to over 1,000 Connecticut public schools and 160 school districts based on their students’ academic performance in four categories.
“ConnCAN’s report cards..help Connecticut’s parents take an active role in securing the best possible public education for their children,” said Alex Johnston, ConnCAN’s CEO. “The data allow us to have an honest conversation about the performance of our public schools so that we can maintain a laser-sharp focus on our most important task: improving student outcomes across the board.
While Norwalk as a district fared below average, several individual schools did appear on ConnCAN's Top 10 Connecticut public schools in categories in ranging from from Performance Gains to Low-Income Student Performance and African American Student Performance. Fox Run Elementary School ranked 10 in African American student performance. Two Norwalk school ranked in the top ten in Hispanic student performance--Brookside ranked 5th and Marvin ranked 8th. Side by Side Community School ranked 7th for middle school improvement. . The grades, assigned by ConnCAN for the past five years, are based on the 2010 CMT and CAPT scores. Click here to read about the Methodology of ConnCAN’s School and District Report Cards.
Here is how Norwalk scored:
Elementary Schools
Performance Gain: B
Overall Student Performance: C+
Student Subgroup Performance: D+
Achievement Gap: D-
Middle Schools
Performance Gain: C
Overall Student Performance: C
Student Subgroup Performance: C-
Achievement Gap: D
Performance Gain: B
Overall Student Performance: C+
Student Subgroup Performance: D+
Achievement Gap: D-
Middle Schools
Performance Gain: C
Overall Student Performance: C
Student Subgroup Performance: C-
Achievement Gap: D
High Schools:
Overall Student Performance: D
Student Subgroup Performance: F
Achievement Gap: F
Overall Student Performance: D
Student Subgroup Performance: F
Achievement Gap: F
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Two Schools Lose Federal Funding
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Cranbury and Fox Run Elementary schools have lost significant federal funding this year. They did not meet the cutoff to receive Title 1 funding, annual federal grants awarded to school districts with a high percentage of disadvantaged students. This means each school will receive approximately $50,000 less for teachers' aides, professional development and technology. It could result in a slowing of academic progress.
At Fox Run, Principal James Martinez used his funds last year to get most of his teachers trained in Readers Workshop, a new literacy program. He also used some of the funds for SMART Boards to enhance technology in the classrooms. In addition, he was able to hire aides who specifically worked with struggling students. "I put a lot of emphasis on professional development," says Martinez.
Cranbury Principal Robin Ives also used most of her money last year on staffing, specifically teachers' aides. Ives has been in a position before where she lost Title I funding. "I've learned to not count on it. I have to plan with what I know I'm getting," she says.
Since the grant focuses on elementary education, Title 1 schools get full-time literacy specialists. This year, without Title 1, Cranbury and Fox Run have to share a literacy specialist.
Ives and Martinez are concerned because their schools have been making academic strides, especially in the last year. Cranbury got off the No Child Left Behind "Needs Improvement" list. Fox Run was recognized by the Lone Pine Foundation last week for its academic gains. "The primary concern in losing funding is being able to sustain our progress without these resources," says Martinez.
Ives echoes Martinez's sentiments. "You hope you can continue the same level of progress, but it's not always the reality," she said.
According to the district's grants specialist, Italia Negroni, "The purpose of Title 1 is to give the neediest students extra resources." Schools are eligible if they exceed the average percent of free and reduced lunch students across the district as determined by Oct. 1 enrollment data. Last year, Norwalk had 37 percent free and reduced lunch students. "It's frustrating," says Ives. "You can miss out on the funds because you are one student below the cutoff," says Ives. This year, Brookside, Jefferson, Kendall, Marvin, Silvermine, Tracey and Wolfpit elementary schools receive Title I monies. The allotment varies from school to school.
Cranbury and Fox Run Elementary schools have lost significant federal funding this year. They did not meet the cutoff to receive Title 1 funding, annual federal grants awarded to school districts with a high percentage of disadvantaged students. This means each school will receive approximately $50,000 less for teachers' aides, professional development and technology. It could result in a slowing of academic progress.
At Fox Run, Principal James Martinez used his funds last year to get most of his teachers trained in Readers Workshop, a new literacy program. He also used some of the funds for SMART Boards to enhance technology in the classrooms. In addition, he was able to hire aides who specifically worked with struggling students. "I put a lot of emphasis on professional development," says Martinez.
Cranbury Principal Robin Ives also used most of her money last year on staffing, specifically teachers' aides. Ives has been in a position before where she lost Title I funding. "I've learned to not count on it. I have to plan with what I know I'm getting," she says.
Since the grant focuses on elementary education, Title 1 schools get full-time literacy specialists. This year, without Title 1, Cranbury and Fox Run have to share a literacy specialist.
Ives and Martinez are concerned because their schools have been making academic strides, especially in the last year. Cranbury got off the No Child Left Behind "Needs Improvement" list. Fox Run was recognized by the Lone Pine Foundation last week for its academic gains. "The primary concern in losing funding is being able to sustain our progress without these resources," says Martinez.
Ives echoes Martinez's sentiments. "You hope you can continue the same level of progress, but it's not always the reality," she said.
According to the district's grants specialist, Italia Negroni, "The purpose of Title 1 is to give the neediest students extra resources." Schools are eligible if they exceed the average percent of free and reduced lunch students across the district as determined by Oct. 1 enrollment data. Last year, Norwalk had 37 percent free and reduced lunch students. "It's frustrating," says Ives. "You can miss out on the funds because you are one student below the cutoff," says Ives. This year, Brookside, Jefferson, Kendall, Marvin, Silvermine, Tracey and Wolfpit elementary schools receive Title I monies. The allotment varies from school to school.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Chiaramonte Leads School Board
Jack Chiaramonte was elected chairman of the Board of Education on Tuesday evening. Chiaramonte, a District D member, has been a vocal critic of the teachers union. Former Chair Glenn Iannaccone becomes Vice Chair, and Jody Bishop-Pullan is secretary. All three were elected unanimously by their fellow board members and will serve one year terms. There were no other nominations.
Mayor Richard Moccia, who presided over the elections as an ex-officio member, and Superintendent Susan Marks thanked Iannaccone for his service and expressed good wishes to Chiaramonte. "I'm glad you chose me," said Marks referring to Iannaccone's role in hiring her, "and I look forward to working with Jack."
Chiaramonte has served on the board for three years, and he and Iannaccone are the panel's senior Republicans. According to BOE bylaws, the majority party holds the chairman and vice chairman positions, while the minority party gets secretary.
In an interview prior to the meeting, Chiaramonte said he has a "common sense approach." He said the current board has made "vast improvements" to the school district. "We selected a terrific new superintendent and have improved special education."
Chiaramonte plans to "watch how every dollar is being spent." He does not believe that money is the only answer to the issues facing the district. "We need to be frugal. Now is a time we have to do more with less."
During last year's budget reconciliation process, Chiaramonte often expressed frustration with Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, for not agreeing to givebacks. "There was mistrust on both sides," he said. However, he credits Marks with bringing all parties, including union members, administrators and BOE members, together in the form of a committee to start working on the budget. "She is a bridge builder and is bringing everyone to the table right from the beginning."
Mellion, too, was conciliatory toward Chiaramonte. "What is done is done," he said. "What is important now is that Jack be a positive and constructive force as a leader."
Chiaramonte, owner of Sono Silver, a jewelry store in South Norwalk, has two children at Norwalk High and is a "proud band parent." He moved to Norwalk from Queens in 1991. "I like it here. Norwalk is a real town where people help one another."
Mayor Richard Moccia, who presided over the elections as an ex-officio member, and Superintendent Susan Marks thanked Iannaccone for his service and expressed good wishes to Chiaramonte. "I'm glad you chose me," said Marks referring to Iannaccone's role in hiring her, "and I look forward to working with Jack."
Chiaramonte has served on the board for three years, and he and Iannaccone are the panel's senior Republicans. According to BOE bylaws, the majority party holds the chairman and vice chairman positions, while the minority party gets secretary.
In an interview prior to the meeting, Chiaramonte said he has a "common sense approach." He said the current board has made "vast improvements" to the school district. "We selected a terrific new superintendent and have improved special education."
Chiaramonte plans to "watch how every dollar is being spent." He does not believe that money is the only answer to the issues facing the district. "We need to be frugal. Now is a time we have to do more with less."
During last year's budget reconciliation process, Chiaramonte often expressed frustration with Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, for not agreeing to givebacks. "There was mistrust on both sides," he said. However, he credits Marks with bringing all parties, including union members, administrators and BOE members, together in the form of a committee to start working on the budget. "She is a bridge builder and is bringing everyone to the table right from the beginning."
Mellion, too, was conciliatory toward Chiaramonte. "What is done is done," he said. "What is important now is that Jack be a positive and constructive force as a leader."
Chiaramonte, owner of Sono Silver, a jewelry store in South Norwalk, has two children at Norwalk High and is a "proud band parent." He moved to Norwalk from Queens in 1991. "I like it here. Norwalk is a real town where people help one another."
Monday, November 15, 2010
BOE Slated to Elect New Officers
Glenn Iannaccone wraps up his one-year term as Chairman of the Board of Education on Tuesday evening. A new slate of officers--chairman, vice chairman and secretary-- will be voted upon at the same time . "It's been one heck of a year," says the outgoing Republican chairman. "It flew by. I think it was a positive year and we accomplished a lot."
Iannaccone took over chairmanship from Rosa Murray (D) last year after the BOE elections resulted in a shift from a Democratic control to a Republican 5 to 4 majority. According to the BOE bylaws, the majority party holds the chair and vice chair positions while the secretary position is held by the minority party. Currently, Jack Chiaramonte (R) is the vice chair and Susan Hamilton (D) is the secretary.
Among his accomplishments, Iannaccone points to steering the Board through last year's zero percent increase budget. In addition, he worked with two interim superintendent and led the search process for a permanent superintendent. "Dr. Marks was an excellent choice and she's doing a great job." In addition to the BOE chief, Iannaccone says the BOE hired several new members of the central office staff. He referred specifically to Robert Polselli, the Director of IT and Pauline Smith, the Director of Special Education. "Pauline was a big coup," he said.
Iannaccone says that his strength as a leader came from "working well with both sides of the aisle." "We worked as one board in the interest of the students and staff."
BOE Vice Chairman Jack Chiaramonte is considered a likely candidate for chairmanship, since he is the next senior Republican on the Board. Iannaccone says, "My advice to the next chair is to be in control of the meeting. Don't be afraid to use the gavel.”
Iannaccone took over chairmanship from Rosa Murray (D) last year after the BOE elections resulted in a shift from a Democratic control to a Republican 5 to 4 majority. According to the BOE bylaws, the majority party holds the chair and vice chair positions while the secretary position is held by the minority party. Currently, Jack Chiaramonte (R) is the vice chair and Susan Hamilton (D) is the secretary.
Among his accomplishments, Iannaccone points to steering the Board through last year's zero percent increase budget. In addition, he worked with two interim superintendent and led the search process for a permanent superintendent. "Dr. Marks was an excellent choice and she's doing a great job." In addition to the BOE chief, Iannaccone says the BOE hired several new members of the central office staff. He referred specifically to Robert Polselli, the Director of IT and Pauline Smith, the Director of Special Education. "Pauline was a big coup," he said.
Iannaccone says that his strength as a leader came from "working well with both sides of the aisle." "We worked as one board in the interest of the students and staff."
BOE Vice Chairman Jack Chiaramonte is considered a likely candidate for chairmanship, since he is the next senior Republican on the Board. Iannaccone says, "My advice to the next chair is to be in control of the meeting. Don't be afraid to use the gavel.”
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Can a Media Exec. Lead a School System?
Mayor Bloomberg has chosen Cathie Black to be the new chancellor of schools in New York City. Black, the president of Hearst Magazines is a "world class manager", according to Bloomberg.
The decision announced yesterday, however, has left many people scratching their heads. For all of her accomplishments, Black has no experience in education. None.
In fact, there is little to indicate that she has even spent much time in a public school. She herself went to Catholic schools on the South Side of Chicago and her children attend boarding schools in Connecticut. Her predecessor Joel Klein also chosen by Bloomberg did not have direct education experience either, but he had worked for the government as an anit-trust lawyer and was a product of the NYC public school system
In her public debut yesterday, Black acknowledged that she had a lot to learn and had limited experience with unions.
So, the big question is, can someone with no education experience lead something as complex as a school system? Or do the skills one acquires in business and management easily transferable to educational systems? Do students/families equal customers, do profit and loss statments equal test scores and graduation rates?
Do you think Norwalk would benefit with someone in central office who comes from outside of education and has a pure business background?
The decision announced yesterday, however, has left many people scratching their heads. For all of her accomplishments, Black has no experience in education. None.
In fact, there is little to indicate that she has even spent much time in a public school. She herself went to Catholic schools on the South Side of Chicago and her children attend boarding schools in Connecticut. Her predecessor Joel Klein also chosen by Bloomberg did not have direct education experience either, but he had worked for the government as an anit-trust lawyer and was a product of the NYC public school system
In her public debut yesterday, Black acknowledged that she had a lot to learn and had limited experience with unions.
So, the big question is, can someone with no education experience lead something as complex as a school system? Or do the skills one acquires in business and management easily transferable to educational systems? Do students/families equal customers, do profit and loss statments equal test scores and graduation rates?
Do you think Norwalk would benefit with someone in central office who comes from outside of education and has a pure business background?
Fox Run Merits Award
On Tuesday night, Fox Run Elementary School took home a finalist distinction from the Lone Pine Foundation's Fairfield County Academic Gain Award Ceremony. While not the top prize, Principal James Martinez is nonetheless inspired by the recognition. “I’m motivated to work harder for our kids and sustain our improvements. I’m so proud of our teachers and staff .”
Fox Run was one of three elementary schools, including two in Bridgeport, receiving honors for academic improvement. Top prize went to Second Hill Lane School in Stratford. The ceremony took place at the University of Connecticut, Stamford campus and was attended by several hundred people including most of the Fox Run staff, some parents, superintendent Susan Marks, Board of Education members, central office administrators and representatives of the West Norwalk Association.
“I am so proud of Fox Run,” said Superintendent Marks. “It’s an exemplary school that shows us that every child can learn. Norwalk is continuing its legacy with this award,” she said referring to the Jefferson Elementary's win last year, when Silvermine was also selected as a finalist. In past years, Brookside has also been named a finalist. As a finalist, every full-time employee at Fox Run will get $250, part-time employees will receive half that amount. In addition, the school will receive $1,000 to be used at the school’s discretion.
John Reynolds, principal of Jefferson, was selected as this year’s keynote speaker. He thanked Lone Pine for looking at “what is working in schools, not what is broken, but what is working.” He went over strategies his school uses that have improved results like flexible regrouping of students for literacy instruction and the constant use of data to measure results. “At Jefferson we knew that Superman was not coming,. Instead we have looked for the superhero in each of us,” Reynolds concluded.
The Lone Pine Foundation's mission statement says it is “committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.” The foundation and Cambridge Education conducted a statistical analysis of test scores and performed site visits at all four schools, which were chosen from all public elementary schools in Fairfield County.
Fox Run was one of three elementary schools, including two in Bridgeport, receiving honors for academic improvement. Top prize went to Second Hill Lane School in Stratford. The ceremony took place at the University of Connecticut, Stamford campus and was attended by several hundred people including most of the Fox Run staff, some parents, superintendent Susan Marks, Board of Education members, central office administrators and representatives of the West Norwalk Association.
“I am so proud of Fox Run,” said Superintendent Marks. “It’s an exemplary school that shows us that every child can learn. Norwalk is continuing its legacy with this award,” she said referring to the Jefferson Elementary's win last year, when Silvermine was also selected as a finalist. In past years, Brookside has also been named a finalist. As a finalist, every full-time employee at Fox Run will get $250, part-time employees will receive half that amount. In addition, the school will receive $1,000 to be used at the school’s discretion.
John Reynolds, principal of Jefferson, was selected as this year’s keynote speaker. He thanked Lone Pine for looking at “what is working in schools, not what is broken, but what is working.” He went over strategies his school uses that have improved results like flexible regrouping of students for literacy instruction and the constant use of data to measure results. “At Jefferson we knew that Superman was not coming,. Instead we have looked for the superhero in each of us,” Reynolds concluded.
The Lone Pine Foundation's mission statement says it is “committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.” The foundation and Cambridge Education conducted a statistical analysis of test scores and performed site visits at all four schools, which were chosen from all public elementary schools in Fairfield County.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Fox Run Named Finalist for Lone Pine Award
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Fox Run Elementary School has been recognized by an area foundation for its academic improvement. It is one of four elementary schools, including two in Bridgeport and one in Stratford, in the running for the fourth annual Fairfield County Academic Gain Award handed out by the Lone Pine Foundation of Greenwich.
“This is a validation of our hard work,” says principal James Martinez. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9, during a ceremony at the University of Connecticut in Stamford.
For the 2008-09 school year, Fox Run was a school “in need of improvement,” according to No Child Left Behind standards. This year, however, the school made “Adequate Yearly Progress,” through a designation called “safe harbor,” by posting over 10 percent improvement among its minority and economically disadvantaged students. The most striking gains across the grades and subgroups were made in reading, says Martinez. “We focused on literacy. It’s key, without it, you can’t access other subjects.”
“We did it very creatively,” says Martinez, explaining the school’s progress. He had all of his teachers trained in “Readers Workshop” -- a reading methodology that provides children with reading books, individual conferencing and independent reading time. “I provided my staff as many professional development opportunities as I could,” says Martinez.
Assistant Principal Elisa Nelson ran A.M. Academy, a before-school program that provided struggling readers with extra support. The school also ran a Fluency Academy to give English Language Learners additional help with reading. Martinez said he recruited parent volunteers to give one-on-one reading and math help to students.
As a result of federal assistance through the Title I program, Fox Run had a full-time reading specialist. The school lost its Title I funding this year, reducing the specialist position to part- time. “I’m worried about sustaining our improvement without the extra support this year.”
Martinez, who has been principal for two years, believes that school climate has an effect on student learning. “I try be very positive and visible. I’m in the classrooms every day. When you have a good relationship with your staff, parents, and kids, there is energy in the building.”
The Lone Pine Foundation conducted site visits at all four schools, which were chosen from all public elementary schools in Fairfield County. Every full-time employee at the winning school will get $500, and runner-up schools will receive a lump sum of $1,000.
Fox Run Elementary School has been recognized by an area foundation for its academic improvement. It is one of four elementary schools, including two in Bridgeport and one in Stratford, in the running for the fourth annual Fairfield County Academic Gain Award handed out by the Lone Pine Foundation of Greenwich.
“This is a validation of our hard work,” says principal James Martinez. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9, during a ceremony at the University of Connecticut in Stamford.
For the 2008-09 school year, Fox Run was a school “in need of improvement,” according to No Child Left Behind standards. This year, however, the school made “Adequate Yearly Progress,” through a designation called “safe harbor,” by posting over 10 percent improvement among its minority and economically disadvantaged students. The most striking gains across the grades and subgroups were made in reading, says Martinez. “We focused on literacy. It’s key, without it, you can’t access other subjects.”
“We did it very creatively,” says Martinez, explaining the school’s progress. He had all of his teachers trained in “Readers Workshop” -- a reading methodology that provides children with reading books, individual conferencing and independent reading time. “I provided my staff as many professional development opportunities as I could,” says Martinez.
Assistant Principal Elisa Nelson ran A.M. Academy, a before-school program that provided struggling readers with extra support. The school also ran a Fluency Academy to give English Language Learners additional help with reading. Martinez said he recruited parent volunteers to give one-on-one reading and math help to students.
As a result of federal assistance through the Title I program, Fox Run had a full-time reading specialist. The school lost its Title I funding this year, reducing the specialist position to part- time. “I’m worried about sustaining our improvement without the extra support this year.”
Martinez, who has been principal for two years, believes that school climate has an effect on student learning. “I try be very positive and visible. I’m in the classrooms every day. When you have a good relationship with your staff, parents, and kids, there is energy in the building.”
The Lone Pine Foundation conducted site visits at all four schools, which were chosen from all public elementary schools in Fairfield County. Every full-time employee at the winning school will get $500, and runner-up schools will receive a lump sum of $1,000.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Students Get Green Light for Texting in Class
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Most teachers don’t want their students texting in class, but not Eva Bartush. The eighth grade science teacher at Nathan Hale Middle School has figured out a way her students can text and learn. Bartush is an early adopter of “clickers,” a new technology beginning to appear in classrooms across Norwalk schools. To see how, view the accompanying video in which Bartush's student teacher, Vanessa Cum, uses the clickers to review a lab from the day before.
Here’s how they work: After going over a concept, a teacher asks her class questions, either short answer or multiple choice, to see if they understood the lesson. Each student in the class has a clicker that looks like a small remote control with letters and numbers to type in answers. The answers are then sorted and graphed, by clicker number not name, on a SMARTboard, the classroom's computerized whiteboard. The teacher gets immediate feedback on the success of her lesson.
“The best part is that you know instantly whether your kids are understanding concepts or if you are totally off and have to re-teach the material in a different way,” says Bartush. “Usually, you’d have to wait to grade papers to find out which kids understood the material.”
Another positive, according to Bartush, is the clickers require every student to be engaged, “When I use the clickers, I’m expecting an answer from every kid, not just the smart ones who have their hands up.” The software also allows teachers to create their own questions and multi-media lessons, adds Bartush.
In addition to daily lessons, Bartush uses the clickers for multiple choice sections on tests. The clickers provide Bartush with a way to give tests in different versions, to prevent cheating, or to modify tests for special needs students.
Importantly, the kids love using the clickers, says Bartush, which she offers them about three times a week. "They’re cool,” says eighth grader Alex Cardone. “You don’t have to wait to see if you got an answer right and no one can cheat off of you.”
Director of Technology, Robert Polselli, shares the enthusiasm. “They are a powerful tool,” he says. “Teachers have instant data, they save time correcting and the kids love it.” Currently, Poselli says that clickers, which run $2,400 a set, have been introduced in seven schools, mostly middle and high schools for math and science classes. He plans to have at least one set of clickers in all the schools by the end of the year.
Most teachers don’t want their students texting in class, but not Eva Bartush. The eighth grade science teacher at Nathan Hale Middle School has figured out a way her students can text and learn. Bartush is an early adopter of “clickers,” a new technology beginning to appear in classrooms across Norwalk schools. To see how, view the accompanying video in which Bartush's student teacher, Vanessa Cum, uses the clickers to review a lab from the day before.
Here’s how they work: After going over a concept, a teacher asks her class questions, either short answer or multiple choice, to see if they understood the lesson. Each student in the class has a clicker that looks like a small remote control with letters and numbers to type in answers. The answers are then sorted and graphed, by clicker number not name, on a SMARTboard, the classroom's computerized whiteboard. The teacher gets immediate feedback on the success of her lesson.
“The best part is that you know instantly whether your kids are understanding concepts or if you are totally off and have to re-teach the material in a different way,” says Bartush. “Usually, you’d have to wait to grade papers to find out which kids understood the material.”
Another positive, according to Bartush, is the clickers require every student to be engaged, “When I use the clickers, I’m expecting an answer from every kid, not just the smart ones who have their hands up.” The software also allows teachers to create their own questions and multi-media lessons, adds Bartush.
In addition to daily lessons, Bartush uses the clickers for multiple choice sections on tests. The clickers provide Bartush with a way to give tests in different versions, to prevent cheating, or to modify tests for special needs students.
Importantly, the kids love using the clickers, says Bartush, which she offers them about three times a week. "They’re cool,” says eighth grader Alex Cardone. “You don’t have to wait to see if you got an answer right and no one can cheat off of you.”
Director of Technology, Robert Polselli, shares the enthusiasm. “They are a powerful tool,” he says. “Teachers have instant data, they save time correcting and the kids love it.” Currently, Poselli says that clickers, which run $2,400 a set, have been introduced in seven schools, mostly middle and high schools for math and science classes. He plans to have at least one set of clickers in all the schools by the end of the year.
Monday, November 1, 2010
REd Apples Highlights Key Issues for Candidates
The following is an opinion piece by Lisa Thomson of REd Apples, a community coalition that supports education reform in Norwalk. REd Apples along withe the League of Women Voters sponsored last week's education debate for Norwalk's legislative candidates.
I want to thank all the State Senate and House candidates for participating in the Education Debate last Thursday night.
While our city, state and country for that matter, face many challenges with the economy, hopefully the debate highlighted the need for a well- managed and high performing educational system. As one of the largest cities in the state, if elected, candidates should consider the following:
• Education accounts for nearly two-thirds of Norwalk’s City Budget
• Everyone in the city contributes their tax dollars to the budget whether they have children in the school system or not and therefore has a vested interest in its operation
• Connecticut has the largest achievement gap in the country, and as a district, Norwalk has been on the NCLB list for many years
• Students who do not graduate with the necessary skills for either college or a trade, drive up our city and state unemployment rolls
• It becomes harder to attract businesses that need skilled labor to Norwalk or the Greater Norwalk Area
• Norwalk’s desirability as a place to live is greatly impacted by the effectiveness of its school system
I do not envy the tough choices that our politicians will have to make regarding how best to balance a state budget of uncontrolled spending versus investing in education for the next generation, so as ensure that Connecticut has a future economy. Hopefully, they can find a thoughtful, collective, non-partisan, pragmatic, and strategic path when it comes to funding and leading legislative reform in Connecticut.
Two education funding initiatives that should be near and dear to all residents of Norwalk are: Race to The Top federal funding, designed to positively drive the operational changes needed in our school system and the blatantly unfair and partisan ECS (Education Cost Sharing) formula in Connecticut which returns only .08 cents on the dollar back to Norwalk.
The future vibrancy of our city requires businesses that want to invest in a City with an educated employment base and families who want to send their children to the local schools. I hope that our politicians keep that in mind when they get to Hartford.
Thank you to everyone who participated Thursday night and good luck to the candidates.
Sincerely,
Lisa Thomson
redapplesnorwalk.org
This post reflects the views of the author and not NorwalkNet.
I want to thank all the State Senate and House candidates for participating in the Education Debate last Thursday night.
While our city, state and country for that matter, face many challenges with the economy, hopefully the debate highlighted the need for a well- managed and high performing educational system. As one of the largest cities in the state, if elected, candidates should consider the following:
• Education accounts for nearly two-thirds of Norwalk’s City Budget
• Everyone in the city contributes their tax dollars to the budget whether they have children in the school system or not and therefore has a vested interest in its operation
• Connecticut has the largest achievement gap in the country, and as a district, Norwalk has been on the NCLB list for many years
• Students who do not graduate with the necessary skills for either college or a trade, drive up our city and state unemployment rolls
• It becomes harder to attract businesses that need skilled labor to Norwalk or the Greater Norwalk Area
• Norwalk’s desirability as a place to live is greatly impacted by the effectiveness of its school system
I do not envy the tough choices that our politicians will have to make regarding how best to balance a state budget of uncontrolled spending versus investing in education for the next generation, so as ensure that Connecticut has a future economy. Hopefully, they can find a thoughtful, collective, non-partisan, pragmatic, and strategic path when it comes to funding and leading legislative reform in Connecticut.
Two education funding initiatives that should be near and dear to all residents of Norwalk are: Race to The Top federal funding, designed to positively drive the operational changes needed in our school system and the blatantly unfair and partisan ECS (Education Cost Sharing) formula in Connecticut which returns only .08 cents on the dollar back to Norwalk.
The future vibrancy of our city requires businesses that want to invest in a City with an educated employment base and families who want to send their children to the local schools. I hope that our politicians keep that in mind when they get to Hartford.
Thank you to everyone who participated Thursday night and good luck to the candidates.
Sincerely,
Lisa Thomson
redapplesnorwalk.org
This post reflects the views of the author and not NorwalkNet.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Candidates Face Off at Education Debate
Incumbent State Senator Bob Duff (D) and Republican opponent Artie Kassimis squared off on education related issues during a debate at City Hall on Thursday night. Organized by the League of Women Voters of Norwalk and REd Apples of Norwalk, the two hour forum was attended by all of Norwalk’s legislative candidates who focused on state funding of schools, the achievement gap, Race to the Top, charter schools and teacher merit pay.
Throughout the debate, Duff called education a “priority” that is linked with the long term success of the state. “Employers want an educated workforce,” he said. Kassimis focused on the state’s fiscal problems n repeatedly mentioning the state’s $3.4 billion deficit. “We have to tighten our belt. They [the Democrats] continue to sign bills that cost money. Who is going to pay for them?” he said.
Kassimis questioned why Norwalk was not receiving more money through the Educational Cost Sharing formula by which school districts in the state are allotted money per pupil. “Why is Norwalk not getting more money. We only get 8 cent on the dollar of what we send to Hartford,” he said. Kassimis faulted Duff for allowing Meriden, the town represented by Senator Thomas Gaffey, chair of the Senate’s appropriations committee to receives five times the funding that Norwalk receives despite being much smaller in size. Kassimis incorrectly referred to Duff as the vice chair of the appropriations committee. While not vice chair, Duff is a member of the committee.
“The formula is completely flawed,” said Kassimis. “Norwalk is being punished.”
“I have never been vice chairman of the committee, “ said Duff who focused of his bipartisan work to bring funds to Norwalk. While Kassimis said that funding has decreased in the last 10 years, Duff said that the amount of state funding to Norwalk increased 24% in the first four years of his term, before the recession. “We have to continue to fight for Norwalk on a bipartisan basis,” he said.
Early childhood education was cited by both candidates as the primary way to reduce the achievement gap. Both candidates support lifting the cap on charter school in the state. “Some children have different needs and learn better in different environments,” said Duff, explaining that while he supports charter schools they are are not a “silver bullet.”
Kassimis said he was not in favor of tying student test scores to merit pay for teachers, which is a central component of the Obama Administration’s education reform agenda. “This will pit teachers against each other,” said Kassimis. “Teachers are not doing this for the money, they are doing it for the kids. We lose the purpose of teaching if we base it on money.” Duff, however, said merit pay can be “done well”, based on a collaborative model, as is the case in New Haven.
Both candidates addressed the state’s rejected Race to the Top application. Kassimis said he supported the grant’s general goal to raise standards, but says that the stat is now burdened with $17 million of expenses to pay for increased high school graduation requirements. “Who is going to pay for the additional teachers?” he asked, also noting that the application did not address how to further early childhood education.
Throughout the debate, Duff called education a “priority” that is linked with the long term success of the state. “Employers want an educated workforce,” he said. Kassimis focused on the state’s fiscal problems n repeatedly mentioning the state’s $3.4 billion deficit. “We have to tighten our belt. They [the Democrats] continue to sign bills that cost money. Who is going to pay for them?” he said.
Kassimis questioned why Norwalk was not receiving more money through the Educational Cost Sharing formula by which school districts in the state are allotted money per pupil. “Why is Norwalk not getting more money. We only get 8 cent on the dollar of what we send to Hartford,” he said. Kassimis faulted Duff for allowing Meriden, the town represented by Senator Thomas Gaffey, chair of the Senate’s appropriations committee to receives five times the funding that Norwalk receives despite being much smaller in size. Kassimis incorrectly referred to Duff as the vice chair of the appropriations committee. While not vice chair, Duff is a member of the committee.
“The formula is completely flawed,” said Kassimis. “Norwalk is being punished.”
“I have never been vice chairman of the committee, “ said Duff who focused of his bipartisan work to bring funds to Norwalk. While Kassimis said that funding has decreased in the last 10 years, Duff said that the amount of state funding to Norwalk increased 24% in the first four years of his term, before the recession. “We have to continue to fight for Norwalk on a bipartisan basis,” he said.
Early childhood education was cited by both candidates as the primary way to reduce the achievement gap. Both candidates support lifting the cap on charter school in the state. “Some children have different needs and learn better in different environments,” said Duff, explaining that while he supports charter schools they are are not a “silver bullet.”
Kassimis said he was not in favor of tying student test scores to merit pay for teachers, which is a central component of the Obama Administration’s education reform agenda. “This will pit teachers against each other,” said Kassimis. “Teachers are not doing this for the money, they are doing it for the kids. We lose the purpose of teaching if we base it on money.” Duff, however, said merit pay can be “done well”, based on a collaborative model, as is the case in New Haven.
Both candidates addressed the state’s rejected Race to the Top application. Kassimis said he supported the grant’s general goal to raise standards, but says that the stat is now burdened with $17 million of expenses to pay for increased high school graduation requirements. “Who is going to pay for the additional teachers?” he asked, also noting that the application did not address how to further early childhood education.
“I will not apologize for supporting Race to the Top,” said Duff. “The bill was about higher standards in math, science and world languages. We must march forward.”
After the first round of debate, six of Norwalk’s legislative candidates shared the stage. Chris Perone (D) & opponent Joanne Romano (R) of 137 District, Larry Cafero (R) & Anna Duleep (D) of the142rd District: Peggy Reeves (D) & Gail Lavielle (R) of the 143rd district discussed charter schools, the achievement gap, student achievement, and state funding to schools.
Regarding the achievement gap, Lavielle discussed the importance of early childhood learning and the necessity of making sure that children are reading by third grade. Reeves concurred suggesting that the state have universal preschool. Duleep, a Harvard graduate, talked about the importance of high expectations for minority students. “We need to challenge stereotypes and have high standards,” she said. Her opponent Larry Cafero said that parent involvement is the key to success. Romano cautioned about “constantly putting kids into categories.” Perone talked about the importance to making education a focus of the executive branch.
When asked about the first thing that they would do for education if elected, almost all of them said they try and bring more money to the city. “We have to reformulate the ECS formula,” said Romano referring to the formula by which districts receive state funding. Cafero went as far as to say that the decision about the ECS formula should be taken out of the legislature. “Let’s create a group outside of politics.” The Republican candidates, ?
On the topic of funding, the debate ended with Duleep questioning why Larry Cafero’s law firm, Brown, Rudnick, of Hartford, a top tier firm in Hartford continues to serve as expulsion officers for the Norwalk Board of Education. “We are spending $40,000 on expulsion hearings. We cannot afford that caliber of law firm. Isn’t there a less expensive alternative?” asked Duleep citing a study by the BOE finance committee.
“There are budgeted legal feels. I am doing a credible job and am entitled to be compensated,” said Cafero.
After the first round of debate, six of Norwalk’s legislative candidates shared the stage. Chris Perone (D) & opponent Joanne Romano (R) of 137 District, Larry Cafero (R) & Anna Duleep (D) of the142rd District: Peggy Reeves (D) & Gail Lavielle (R) of the 143rd district discussed charter schools, the achievement gap, student achievement, and state funding to schools.
Regarding the achievement gap, Lavielle discussed the importance of early childhood learning and the necessity of making sure that children are reading by third grade. Reeves concurred suggesting that the state have universal preschool. Duleep, a Harvard graduate, talked about the importance of high expectations for minority students. “We need to challenge stereotypes and have high standards,” she said. Her opponent Larry Cafero said that parent involvement is the key to success. Romano cautioned about “constantly putting kids into categories.” Perone talked about the importance to making education a focus of the executive branch.
When asked about the first thing that they would do for education if elected, almost all of them said they try and bring more money to the city. “We have to reformulate the ECS formula,” said Romano referring to the formula by which districts receive state funding. Cafero went as far as to say that the decision about the ECS formula should be taken out of the legislature. “Let’s create a group outside of politics.” The Republican candidates, ?
On the topic of funding, the debate ended with Duleep questioning why Larry Cafero’s law firm, Brown, Rudnick, of Hartford, a top tier firm in Hartford continues to serve as expulsion officers for the Norwalk Board of Education. “We are spending $40,000 on expulsion hearings. We cannot afford that caliber of law firm. Isn’t there a less expensive alternative?” asked Duleep citing a study by the BOE finance committee.
“There are budgeted legal feels. I am doing a credible job and am entitled to be compensated,” said Cafero.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Feds Focus on Bullying
The US Dept of Education released a 10-page letter today reminding school districts and colleges across the country, including Norwalk Public Schools, that they have a legal obligation to prevent bullying. You can read the letter here . Next year the White House will hold a one day session on bullying hosted by the President.
The letter warns administrators that bullying which involves race, gender, sexual orientation or religion violates several Federal laws. School systems that don’t address bullying may lose their Federal funding.
The letter comes in the wake of national stories that several teenagers have committed suicide because they were bullied in school. For example Jamarcus "Marcus" Bell, 14, a freshman in Fishers Indiana, hanged himself last week after years of being tormented. Closer to home, a gay Rutgers student committed suicide last month after being outted by his roommate. A new survey released Tuesday found that half of U.S. high schoolers say they have bullied or teased someone at least once in the past year -- while nearly half say they have been bullied themselves.
Clearly it’s the responsibility of schools not only to keep children safe but also to provide an environment where students are going to able to learn.
The Obama Administration’s letter puts schools on notice – and rightfully so. In any large school district, including here in Norwalk
In New Jersey
Do you think CT schools need to do the same? Is our district doing all it can to prevent bullying?
Monday, October 25, 2010
Movie Review: "Waiting for Superman"
I finally saw "Waiting for Superman", a heartbreaking documentary about the troubled, in some cases failing, state of public education in America. As someone who has written about education for the past couple of years, I was excited when the film came to the Garden Cinemas last week. I asked my childhood friend--a Teach for America Alum and former Ponus Ridge Middle School teacher to join me.
David Guggenheim, the film's director and co-writer , chronicles the stories of five adorable children from Harlem, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, the Bronx and Redwood City, CA who dream of going to college and a better life. The film paints a bleak picture of their neighborhood schools. Even if they even graduate, chances are they'll be several grade levels behind children in other schools and unprepared for college. In all the cases, the hardworking and caring families decide to apply to charter schools lotteries, where the chances of getting in are something like 50 out of 500. Predictably, at the end of the film there are a series of nail biting supspense scenes about who gets in and who doesn't. The film ends with a questionable assumption--all's well if you get into a charter school.
The movie is peppered with stats in a series of animated scenes about the flatlining of math and reading scores, high dropout rates resulting in "drop out factories", and America's standing in education compared with other countries. The film blames administrative bureaucracy and school unions for getting us into this mess. Like much of the education reform movement, the film both vilifies and celebrates teachers. Teachers' unions, according to the documentary, protect incompetent teachers, in some cases passing them from school to school, resulting in what is labeled a "Dance of the Lemons". There are several scenes in the film where Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, looks villanous and is presented as the roadblock for change. On the other hand, the film also cites research showing that teacher quality is the most important factor in student success.
If there are good guys in this story, they are charter school operators and "reformers" like Geoffrey Canada, founder of the Harlem Children's zone and Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor of the D.C. public schools who rebel against the status quo and rail against bureaucracy.
The strength of this film lies in its illustrating, through real life stories, a public education system in need of repair and in some cases, a complete overhaul. However, its analysis of solutions lacks depth. Like much of the reform movment, the film places too much emphasis on charter schools which employ non-union teachers and are answerable to the state, not to local school districts. Studies have shown that charters are not the silver bullet -- less than 20 percent of charters outperform district schools. Not to mention that charter schools serve only a small minority of our nation's students. How can charters really be the answer to our problems? They do act as a laboratory for ideas, like extended day and early childhood learning, but then again so do many non-charter schools. The importance of teacher quality is not news to anyone, including parents and kids--it's a truth immemorial. The question is how to cultivate and support good teaching. It seems unwise to demonize unions, they must be part of any meaningful change.
So does "Waiting for Superman" apply to Norwalk"? I think so. Thankfully, we are not in as dire a situation as Harlem or Washington D.C., but I don't believe we are doing all that we can to have student's reach their full potential or to get to college. At the last Board meeting, I was reminded that only 30 percent of Norwalk's 10th graders reach "goal" in math. That's deeply troubling. However unlike the film, I don't believe that any one Canada/Rhee-like figure can save us (though I secretly hope Susan Marks is Wonder Woman) nor do I think that a charter school is the only way to a superior education. It'll take a village of school leaders, parents, taxpayers, students themselves and fairly-treated unions to roll up their sleeves and engage in complex problem solving.
Did you see the film? What did you think?
David Guggenheim, the film's director and co-writer , chronicles the stories of five adorable children from Harlem, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, the Bronx and Redwood City, CA who dream of going to college and a better life. The film paints a bleak picture of their neighborhood schools. Even if they even graduate, chances are they'll be several grade levels behind children in other schools and unprepared for college. In all the cases, the hardworking and caring families decide to apply to charter schools lotteries, where the chances of getting in are something like 50 out of 500. Predictably, at the end of the film there are a series of nail biting supspense scenes about who gets in and who doesn't. The film ends with a questionable assumption--all's well if you get into a charter school.
The movie is peppered with stats in a series of animated scenes about the flatlining of math and reading scores, high dropout rates resulting in "drop out factories", and America's standing in education compared with other countries. The film blames administrative bureaucracy and school unions for getting us into this mess. Like much of the education reform movement, the film both vilifies and celebrates teachers. Teachers' unions, according to the documentary, protect incompetent teachers, in some cases passing them from school to school, resulting in what is labeled a "Dance of the Lemons". There are several scenes in the film where Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, looks villanous and is presented as the roadblock for change. On the other hand, the film also cites research showing that teacher quality is the most important factor in student success.
If there are good guys in this story, they are charter school operators and "reformers" like Geoffrey Canada, founder of the Harlem Children's zone and Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor of the D.C. public schools who rebel against the status quo and rail against bureaucracy.
The strength of this film lies in its illustrating, through real life stories, a public education system in need of repair and in some cases, a complete overhaul. However, its analysis of solutions lacks depth. Like much of the reform movment, the film places too much emphasis on charter schools which employ non-union teachers and are answerable to the state, not to local school districts. Studies have shown that charters are not the silver bullet -- less than 20 percent of charters outperform district schools. Not to mention that charter schools serve only a small minority of our nation's students. How can charters really be the answer to our problems? They do act as a laboratory for ideas, like extended day and early childhood learning, but then again so do many non-charter schools. The importance of teacher quality is not news to anyone, including parents and kids--it's a truth immemorial. The question is how to cultivate and support good teaching. It seems unwise to demonize unions, they must be part of any meaningful change.
So does "Waiting for Superman" apply to Norwalk"? I think so. Thankfully, we are not in as dire a situation as Harlem or Washington D.C., but I don't believe we are doing all that we can to have student's reach their full potential or to get to college. At the last Board meeting, I was reminded that only 30 percent of Norwalk's 10th graders reach "goal" in math. That's deeply troubling. However unlike the film, I don't believe that any one Canada/Rhee-like figure can save us (though I secretly hope Susan Marks is Wonder Woman) nor do I think that a charter school is the only way to a superior education. It'll take a village of school leaders, parents, taxpayers, students themselves and fairly-treated unions to roll up their sleeves and engage in complex problem solving.
Did you see the film? What did you think?
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