Friday, March 19, 2010
School on 3/26; PD day cancelled
I just received an email from Steve Colarossi and confirmed by phone with Superintendent Nast that we will have school on Friday, March 26th. If you are like me, you forgot that there even was a professional development day scheduled for teachers (day off for kids) next Friday. The Superintendent has decided to cancel the PD day and have a regular school day. He said they he made this decision in collaboration with the board and unions.
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Kudos to Mike Nast. He is a fine leader. I just wish he could be our actual superintendent. He is managing things so nicely.
ReplyDeletethis man is the best that has been in this district since Dr. Sloan. He is a true leader, collaborator, and a man who respects everyone. we have not had that in years. Too bad he can't stay with us longer.
ReplyDeleteYes he's really doing a good job. Dr. Papallo and Dr. Marks could really learn a thing or two from him.
ReplyDeletewe have not even given her a chance. she may be coming in with all the necessary skills. hopefully there will be a time of transition for the new super and the interim to dialogue, and share what is needed.
ReplyDeleteIts news to everyone that we have committed to Marks? Who the hell signed her contract? No a final decission has NOT been made. Please, BOE, this appointment is critical. We cannot afford a mistake. Marks is a mistake, please keep looking. We can and must do better.
ReplyDeletewhy is she such a mistake? she has a lot of experience to offer, HR, SPED, and curriculum and she made the point to make folks accountable for their work, planning, leadership, funding centralized, plans to raise the bar for all students, community involvement. Let her words turn into actions, and let her do the job if she is hired. The visiting team has not been there, she has not accepted, but if she does and comes here, she deserves the chance and support. The naysayers in this district need to channel their energies somewhere else. Why not read up on the latest in educational strategies, and learn that we can't continue with the status quo...we are not a blue ribbon district. we have allowed mediocrity to become the norm. let's move forward folks.
ReplyDeleteSusan Marks is a done deal. I guarantee it. The public never had a say.
ReplyDeleteShe is wrong for the district in so many ways. She is another Karen Lang. Wait and see. If you have any knowledge of education and what is current, this woman has nothing to offer. There is no vision. There is nothing there.
My daughter, a teacher from another state, is in the process of losing her school system's superintendent. She despises this superintendent, as do all the other teachers, parents and administrators. Calls have been put out to all the staff in her community to make sure that glowing comments are spoken to the interviewers when they come to interview the staff. My daughter's community is desperate to get rid of their superintendent. Do you expect anything different in Susan Marks' community when Norwalk goes to visit? Get real!
2:31 - Given your scenario, there is no way for Dr. Marks to win. If people in her district say bad things about her, she must be bad. If people in her district say good things about her, she must still be bad because they want to get rid of her.
ReplyDeleteThere is no one within the district whom I can support for the superintendency. I hope there is someone outside who would consider Norwalk.
3:47, all I am saying is that a visitation to her school system says nothing at all. The decision has already been made anyway. Mark my word!
ReplyDeleteWhat is a "finalist" anyway? Marks has been described as "a finalist" and the persom "most likely to be our next superintendent". Why hasn't anyone indicated what the next steps are.
ReplyDeleteI agree, 2:31. Susan Marks is not the answer in Norwalk, but certainly poses a lot of questions. She will take the job, because we are the land of "one finalist". You are also correct that it was, and is, a done deal. Lang redux?? Have to wait and see, because that would really send us into oblivion. If she is really considering this position, she must be reading the comments on this blog. Any rational(non-retired) person would say, "Thanks but, no thanks"--However, if the fiasco of last week's rainstorm and the subsequent fallout(waivers etc.) are not enough to deter her, she must be running from something. That something is what the visiting team must find out.
ReplyDeleteOK- let's put aside that the naysayers once again try to hijack a thread for their own spread of negativity and simply address their odd combination of out-of-context references, spin and misperceptions.
ReplyDeleteOf course, let’s also be clear that I am offering merely the opinion of one parent of children in the public schools who feels that his daughters, and their classmates, deserve a permanent superintendent with vision. I don’t purport to speak for any other members of the BOE, some of whom might differ with some of the points I’m making.
First, anonymous bloggers, I keep waiting for those of you with real insight into this process to contact me (or the other members of the BOE) to explain your misgivings. So far, all I keep reading are your foregone conclusions. And, truth be told, wild-eyed speculation that is merely anonymously posted on the internet should hardly be enough to discourage someone from taking a position in which she can make a real difference for thousands of children. Your assumptions that she is retired or "running for something" are wrong and you need to stop letting your assumptions pass for facts.
Secondly, as some of the posters have indicated, the process is not complete. There must still be a site visit, a thorough discussion among the BOE and then, and only then, a contract negotiation. However, despite some wild assumptions about the contract, the amount offered can't exceed what is in the budget for the salary (so the maximum is already a matter of public record).
Third, although I appreciate that many of you are concerned that there has not been sufficient communication with the public about the process, did you not realize that this would happen when the BOE decided that it would be the sole interview and screening committee. Not a decision that I would have made, but one that I must live with.
Fourth, the interview process is highly confidential-- that is something demanded by most applicants. Therefore, there are some real limitations as to how much information can be shared.
Fifth, no candidate is perfect—no one can be all things for all people. However, given her background and experience, I believe that Susan Marks is the superintendent we need now (particularly given her experience in human resources and special needs).
Finally, based upon what I have learned in my interviews with Susan Marks and in my review of her background materials, I have the confidence to entrust my children's education (and my taxdollars) to her. My decision will not be final until the site visit team returns with their report.
Steve, this woman shows no vision. I am, unfortunately, betting that you are wrong in your choice. BTW, the most important qualification she should have, IMHO, is working with very difficult building administrators.
ReplyDeleteI hope I am wrong and you are right, but I am standing by my convictions that Norwalk is not the place for her.
Marks would make a decent sp/ed director, but as a Superintendent?
ReplyDeleteVision, understanding, leadership to unite?
Far as naysayers, it's a discussion. Valid concerns are being expressed.
Collectively and repeatedly the BOE has exercised ill advised judgement and it has, unfortunately, become policy to squelch community concerns.
One finalist?
Confidential?
Confidential is code for what exactly?
Marks is not what we are looking for, or need.
The BOE would be well advised to heed the calls for not acting on emotion or pressure but listen and make a good decision by examining closely, how far reaching their choice will be.
Either a new super will take the reins, lead and turn this all around, or, another ill advised, post haste decision navigates us into a spiral crash and burn. No in between.
Either a dud or a firecracker.
What do you see in Marks?
What is a "site visit" and what relationship does it have to hiring a Superintendent?
ReplyDelete