Here are my stories from The Daily Norwalk--
Group Travels to Maryland for Sup Site Visit
I spoke with Susan Hamilton who is leading the group yesterday. They were supposed to have met with union heads Wed. evening and have a jam packed agenda on Thursday. They head home Thursday evening.
Parents Share Budget Concern with Nast
School Budget Dominates Public Hearing.
Did you go? What did you think?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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I was unable to attend....how did it go??
ReplyDeleteA few questions that I am still not clear about--can some of you help please.
ReplyDelete19 teachers will be hired to replace the 43 retiring (quoted in this morning's Hour) ---plus we are losing about 7 MS and HS teachers. The math does not add up. Will about 16 more teaching positions be cut?? Where and what will they eliminate? This is not clear.
As a parent of elementary and MS children in Norwalk, I am highly concerned.
Also, where is the petition that has begun? I am part of the PTO at both schools and have not seen or heard of anything floating around. Get this info to the "quieter" parents who will sign and show the importance of getting more moeny to the school system.
Also, why is there no talk in paper of administrative cuts????
What about the ELL program? I know at the elementary level there are 2 teachers....is this necessary? I believe in helping those kids--but it is not only up to the school.
http://www.petitiononline.com/Rozy/petition.html
ReplyDeleteHere is the online petition
Just one parent's problem with the petition--- our schools haven't had two years of budget cuts. The school budgets have increased each and every year.
ReplyDeleteI was at the meeting last night-- didn't speak, and didn't stay till the end either. Can't say that anyone other than Colarossi gave any info about why the schools need more than last year (it was something about special ed and aides).
Don't think it's right for the high school parents to complain about study halls but tell me (my children are at Fox Run) that my kids can be in crowded classrooms.
Does anyone know why central office wants these big class sizes anyway? I didn't think that big classes were good for little kids.
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ReplyDeleteMonia--you should put this peteion on the front page of your website. Many parents do not know about it. That would be a service to the community.
ReplyDeleteAlso, someone should be sending it out to PTO's at each of the schools so they can email blast it out. This is important---spread the word so there are more than 350 signing it. I am sure you will get more signatures that way.
Great ideas 4:56--add the literacy coaches to the list--they can be shared part time with 2 schools if need be--but how often do they work directly with kids--RARELY. My child has never worked with her school's. The 3 PD days for teachers should be used more effectively for coaching instead of paying saleries to coaches who do not service students but teachers! How much could we save on them?
ReplyDeleteto 6:49, the budget has increased but not enough to maintain what we had so cuts had to be made
ReplyDeletegreat idea--post the petition info so people are aware of it!
ReplyDeleteThe literacy coaches are about $1 million including their benefits. Some are doing their jobs, some are worthless.
ReplyDeleteThe literacy coaches are not your answers for cuts. They will move back into classroom positions and it is the newest and lowest paid teachers who will end up losing their jobs. Even Bpt has not balanced budgets on the backs of its Literacy Specialists. And to Anon 12:24PM, thankfully your daughter has not needed the direct svcs of your Lit Coach. However, the district is not short on students who are reading below grade level and getting substantially deficient scores on the DRA. I'm sure the Lit Coaches make all the difference in the world to those parents who do have children who need their svcs.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the many fine suggestions that are made by posters on this site.
ReplyDeleteBecause the literacy coaches/specialists are typically placed on the chopping block every so often during budget debates, it was one of the first areas I looked into at an early BOE Finance Committee meeting.
At that meeting, I learned that the literacy coaches do serve a very vital need for a large number of children-- in some schools, they tend to do more one-on-one work, while in other schools, they tend to do more coaching of teachers. After my investigation, I would not favor eliminating that position.
Feel free to email me directly with any other suggestions you might have.
Stevecolarossi@yahoo.com or
colarossis@norwalkps.org
PS-
Please forgive any typos, but as you can see by the timestamp, it's late and, for those of you who didn't hear me hacking at the BET meeting, I have bronchitis, after a few days of the flu.
Steve and Anon 7:05--I have asked around and I was told that the literacy coaches are NOT there for the kids but to "coach" the teachers. They used to work with at risk kids--but now their job is to work with the teachers. Maybe someone can post their job description...that is what I am being told.
ReplyDeleteSteve--Sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. I think that you are doing a fine job and I love that you respond to concerns/ideas on this blog--shows you care! Can you address what specifically may be cut from the elementary program (aside from a possible in crease in classsize)? My youngest is starting K in the fall and I want to know how he may be impacted. Thanks!
As a parent of a 3rd grader who is below grade level in reading and did not test to have a learning disability, I have to make a comment. My child HAS NEVER worked one to one with the reading specialist. A few times over the past 3 years she has worked with her to "test" her, but beyond that she has recieved no direct support from the literacy coach/specialist. This is a misconception that they work directly with the chidlren. I amn ot sure if they are supoosed to or not, but I know what our experience has been. My child will proably have to go to summer school again....not for lack of effort, she is trying hard and we work on skills daily at home.
ReplyDeleteIf they should be working with the children, someone has dropped the ball.
I want to thank all those who came and expressed their views. Many of us on the BET took extensive notes and we will review all the letters, handouts and petitions that we received. Switching gears, I was struck by the low turnout. Of my 7 years directly working on City budgets, this year had the most empty seats. Of the 160 people that came, it seemed about 110 were either department heads, union members, politicians or city employees. That left only about 50 from the public at large. Of those who spoke about the schools, almost all expressed concerns about kids programs being directly affected by this tough budget year. All of us on the BET share that sentiment. However most of those speakers offered no solutions how to achieve this. No one explicity said we should raise taxes, or suggested which other city departments should have their budgets reduced to pay for the schools. A number of speakers however did explicitly suggest the school unions provide givebacks to maintain student programs. Interestingly the school officials who spoke made no mention to the public of their unionized status nor did they say how they would personally vote within their unions on givebacks. However at the end of the meeting, I got the sense that everyone recognized that we all face difficult times and that by working together we will get through this recession. As I said at the hearing, the City will emerge from this recession in strong shape and with a solid financial foundation.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSteve, I have to ask in what system did you do your research regarding Literacy Specialists? Not Norwalk. Or, if you did, you were directed to one of the three schools where there is a good Literacy Specialist. For the most part, these people are not specialists, and are not worth a fraction of their salary. Please go back to your research and look harder.
ReplyDeleteA few questions for BET.
ReplyDeleteHow much is in the kitty? 23,000,000.00
With a triple A rating, whats the rate on bonds?
If we tapped into our emergency rainy day kitty, could that have any effect on the rating.
With the big boys and girls manipulating all the rating houses, what pertinate value is a triple a rating anyway if we do not avail ourselves to that resource?
Finally, what is the projected revenue for 2011-2012?
To the board of ed members:
ReplyDeleteMy children (3 at one school, each who have struggled with literacy and one that is still below grade level) have never recieved any services from their school's lietracy person. The principal at our schhol said that she can not advocate for the literacy specialist to work with kids since that is not their job. They are coaches for the kids.
There are also math coaches...hello, get rid of these jobs in these tough times so we can keep current programing!
I could not attend the meeting because I did not have child care....many other parents had the same issue or they had to work.
ReplyDeleteBut do not think because we were not there we are not following this or and want more money for our kids.
How much will it cost the city to go to Maryland to hear what a great job Dr. Marks is doing in a role very different than what she would be doing in Norwalk? Just curious.....
ReplyDeleteRead posts on teacher's union won't budge page....lots of ideas!
ReplyDeleteI hate to ask: will we have to fight AGAIN for strings and AT for elementary schools? Can someone on the board of ed please respond?
ReplyDeleteLAst year you had an amazing turn out of young, elementary students to support those 2 programs, please don't tell me that has to happen again.
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ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what Norwalk needs to develop weak areas from within:
ReplyDeletehttp://fcpswcs.org/reports/
I would not mind seeing elementary AT eliminated. The teacher in my school is awful, I have never seen her get supervision in the years that she has been there, and students try to withdraw in droves. We work hard trying to get kids to hold on until they get to middle school where there is a better program.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, she always has an excuse for not being there...or having to go to another school to drop off papers...or pick up papers. No loss.
Moina: Let's get rid of the 6:55 post. He keeps popping up everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI know! It's so annoying. I haven't figured out how to block jamesd. In the meantime, I'll delete his posts manually.
ReplyDeleteWOW--I can't believe that you want to elimianat AT anon 12:42 because of one poor teacher. Have you gone to your building principal or Joan Glass down town? I had an issue and spoke with her and things were fixed. AT is a wonderful program. My child has enjoys the challenges she gets with her teacher (who has only been out once). Don't advocate to eliminate a program that is so important for high achievers because of one teacher. Pull your child out if you really do not see its value to your child.
ReplyDeleteI think it's unfortunate that based on the specific performance of particular Literacy Specialists and AT teachers parents support the complete removal of these programs which when done correctly are so vital to our schools. Our Literacy Specialist does work one on one with our kids, provides an after school program for children who need it and also works with our kids and teachers on CMT prep, I think if you feel any teacher or staff are not doing their job then as a parent you have every right to file a complaint. But both of those programs are crucial for certain children and need to be implemented correctly. I have not been happy with our Strings teacher this year but I would not suggest to cut the whole program just because of one teacher!
ReplyDeleteI had a conflict the night of both the budget review meeting and the BET meeting but heard that the overall consensus at the budget review meeting was that people shouldn't bother attending the BET meeting. I think based on Mr. Wilms response they should have been encouraged to attend instead, I'm sure that would have made a big difference!
Is this petition over or should we still pass it on?
ReplyDeleteI do NOT think getting rid of AT or strings program is a good idea. Both those programs contribute more than just additional work for kids, they are an investment in the future of our children. Music education is known to have benefits that far outweigh simply playing songs. The AT program is crucial for high achieving children and provides the additional stimulation and challenge that these children require.
ReplyDeleteHaving spent the weekend moving, this is my first opportunity to read the posts here regarding some of the budget issues that will confront us as a city.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Finance Committee of the BOE reviewed the role of the literacy specialists, we heard from one person who is in that role and from Asst. Supt. Daddonna, among others. The sense I left that meeting with was that, although there could very well be legitimate educational reasons to tweak how literacy specialists are deployed, how (if at all) we should change the chain of command with respect to their efforts and a host of other issues, the consensus is that those positions are needed.
Regarding cuts to educational programs (and I firmly believe that arts and music programs are clearly educational programs), we will need to evaluate every single program to assess if the benefit from a program exceeds its costs. This, really, is an analysis that should take place very year-- where a school department evaluates how it reaches the students and makes changes to improve the education that all children receive.
Supt. Nast has made it abundantly clear that before any programs are proposed for reduction or elimination, we need to assess their importance to our students and our families. As a general matter, I think that eliminating programs that directly impact the classroom and laying-off workers should be absolute last resorts to balance a budget.
Regarding third-grade strings, one of the interesting bits of trivia from last year's budget debate is that the cuts they were considering would not have entirely eliminated third-grade strings because of the way that some music teachers are deployed.
There are some things I am in favor of cutting-- and we do need to cut our budget as we approved a preliminary that asked for over $5Million more than we received last year at a time when the Mayor was explaining that dire city financial issues would preclude that kind of an increase.
We need to seriously curtail the amount of money spent on conferences, seminars, dues for associations and professional development speaker fees. In addition, we need to examine how we schedule meetings for teachers to avoid having to pay for substitute teachers to the extent that we do.
I have been shining a light on how we use outside legal services and am pleased that those services are being put out to bid.
We need to assess (as Supt. Nast suggested) if the 8-period day used at Norwalk High School is providing greater benefits to those students than the 7-period day which is used at BMHS. Also, we need to seriously consider how we can provide an additional teacher at Briggs as there is a need.
We will also be looking at several areas and the extent to which we are exercising sufficient administrative controls (such as involving cell phones and smart phones, mileage reimbursements and overtime).
If any of you have any questions, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me (stevecolarossi@yahoo.com or colarossis@norwalkps.org).
Mr. Colarossi,
ReplyDeleteI have a mixed response to your suggestions for cuts. If you mean cutting the amount of money spent for the superintendent and assistant superintendent to go to conferences, I agree. The amount of time the past superintendent and his assistant spent at conferences was a topic of considerable conversation among the staff, and we could never figure how their attendance at these conferences was of benefit to the teachers and students. However, if you want to cut back on conferences and presenters' fees for those who are closest to the classroom, I disagree. Teachers and their immediate supervisors must be kept informed about practices that can improve the education Norwalk students receive. I don't understand how to schedule meetings to reduce the cost of substitutes, unless you mean to schedule them after school and on weekends. The savings there is questionable for two reasons: 1) you would have to pay the teachers for their time, and 2) there aren't that many available workshops after school and on weekends.
That is good news about legal services, which have been a sticking point for many years. I'll look forward to an update on the board's findings.
The NHS 8-period schedule raises another issue. If it is determined that it doesn't benefit students or if it is determined that the costs outweigh the benefits, it's easy; you revert to the 7-period schedule. However, if it is determined that the 8-period schedule is of significant benefit to the students, you have to insist that the schedule be implemented at BMHS. Besides, who ever heard of a small district like Norwalk that had two high schools that followed different schedules?
I can't speak about the other issues you raised because I don't have enough information to do so.
Thank you for doing so much to keep an open mind and for making such an effort to keep the taxpayers informed.
Here is a solution to the Lieracy Specialist's job that will save at least a million dollars in the local budget.
ReplyDeleteHere are the specifics:
-Eliminate the Literacy Specialists, paid by grant.
-Fund Assistant Principals for Instruction from the grant (yes, it can be done. I have worked on grant funding and it requires a change of title and a change of job description)
The Assistant Principal spends considerable time evaluating classroom teachers. What better person could there possibly be to direct professional development, supervise progress of the teachers...all based on the outcomes and needs stemming from evaluations?
Also, a major complaint of the Literacy Specialist is that they can model good teaching practices all they want, but they have no clout with the classroom teacher. The classroom teacher has no responsibility to follow up with these new practices.
The Assistant Principal for Instruction has the clout. He/She evaluates the teacher!
It's time to 'tweak' the LS job. It's time to call for accountability from teachers. This is the way to do it!
Reading through these comments is somewhat perplexing.
ReplyDeleteMost of the discussion focuses on activities and personnal inside of the schools. If we are convinced that positions need to be cut, I would look first at those in Central Office.
The schools are already close to a bare bones level of saffing. But the organization of Central Office -- as I tried to indicate in a long posting several weeks ago -- is not even close to a bare bones level, no matter what others may say. There are assistant this and thats all over the place.
During a reconciliation, I would be careful about allowing Central Office personnel, even at the very highest levels, control the discussion. They of course have a habit of excluding other Central Office personnel from the proverbial chopping block.
During her meeting in the community room, Dr. Marks remarked how Central Office administrators work so hard -- that's beside the point, and should be ignored. Even the most superfulous (sp?)administrator can moan and groan about how hard they're working.
One last point: It's geneally better to keep cutting items like suppolies and materials or consultants, etc., than actually people.
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ReplyDeleteBruce,
ReplyDeleteThe only assistants, other than in special ed. is the assistant superintendent. He evaluates staff in the school and in central office. Are you saying that the new superintendent should take over that role too? I agree that some of the curriculum specialists are not necessary, nor is the director of elem. ed. (12 people to evaluate), some of the secretaries, but these cuts are small change when one is looking for millions.
Yes, there are people in the schools who have no impact on children. It isn't as simple as 'Let's look to central office.'
To set the record straight, I am not in central office.
I'm glad to hear that AT and strings are not being seriously considered for the chopping block. My husband and I believe in the importance of public education as part of the great American melting pot, but our daughter needs these programs to remain engaged in her education. Year to year, the classroom teachers can't always (or sometimes just won't) give her enough challenging work. If these programs go, she very likely will go to private school. We're lucky to have that choice, but many don't.
ReplyDelete7:59 AM,
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's not that simple. My concern is that Central Office seems to be excluded from the discussion.
I probably was a little sloppy by suggesting there are assistants all over the place. What I would like to see is a more even handed approach to cuts, if cuts are to be made.
Whether they are assistant directors, curriculum specialists, or even a director of elem. ed., I believe they should be part of the discussion.
Bruce Kimmel,
ReplyDeleteI agree. One major problem is that the people who directly communicate with the BoE are the central office administrators, who are not eager to reduce the size of their ranks. I still think about the number of teachers we had to cut while Dr. Corda held onto his executive assistant to the superintendent. He was protecting that person, as well as his own interests because she probably did some of his work. I'll admit that it used to make me pretty angry.
I am fortunate not to have the responsibility of reconciling this very important budget, but everything, with the exception of very few positions, ought to be on the staff reduction table for discussion. Not to be considered for reduction are: a superintendent, one principal per school, a person in charge of human resources, a person in charge of business, a person in charge of facilities. Everything else should be considered. The high schools should have a number of assistants to the principal consistent with the enrollment of each school. Large elementary schools should have assistant principals, while smaller ones can share assistants.
Surely, I am not saying that all other positions are expendable, but the board ought to discuss the value of every remaining job, whether administrative or clerical. They may decide that maybe the district can function without some of them. A no-brainer for elimination is the director of human relations.
As a new parent to this blog (thisis my first time reading it) I am stunned by quite a few things.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that there are 2 secretaries at our elementary school, plus a principal and AP......yet, any time I call I get VM, no live person that answers the phone. Are these secretaries really needed? With this day and age, teachers can do their own attendance on their computers, get calls/emails from parents about a sick child, etc. Plus isn;t one of those secretaries upposed to be working with kids too? I have never seen that.
I am also blown away that somoene is purchasing new blackberries while talking about cutting teaching jobs or eliminating programs for kids.
How about the recycling??
Sounds like our tax money is being wasted.
Let's put our children first--cut administrators first. They need enrichments and teachers in a small classroom setting.
Just curious, how much will our new super make per year??
ReplyDeleteMr. Colarossi--
ReplyDeleteA few thoughts from a Norwalk teacher....
Check your facts about the reading specialists--they cannot work with kids directly. What a shame! The can only “coach” teachers.
What about the math coaches in the elementary schools? I have yet to work with those coaches in my classroom for the second year in a row. What do they do? Hand deliver "paperwork and assessments" from school to school? We have interschool mail that does that for free. John Keogh was a wonderful math head--as a consultant he is still doing a great job, but we need to look closely at the coaches in Norwalk.
Other points to look at:
*recycling or lack of
*secretaries
*custodians
*esl/bilingual teachers
*AP positions
*literacy specialist job--should be working with at risk students
I love my job! I spend a lot of my own money to provide for my students--we are a family when we are together. I can not imagine one of them going hungry at snack time or not going on a trip because of lack of funds at home. This year alone, I have given out a breakfast quite a few times due to kids coming to school without eating. I buy hundreds of dollars of new books for my classroom each year to keep kids interested in reading. Not to mention prizes, notebooks, etc. I do it, and will continue to do it no matter what happens because like so many teachers that is part of who we are.
Can anyone explain this?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ctteachingjobs.com/norwalk-teaching-job-instructional-aide/
West Rocks?
Skills in diapering and feeding?
What is up with that?
Though we were in a freeze anyway.
Probably a special needs/handicapped child.
ReplyDelete6:20 - There are some seriously handicapped children in the special education programs in the schools. While it isn't common, it is not unheard of for a child to require diapering. The public schools have a legal obligation (a moral one as well) to provide the best possible education for all students, including those with such handicaps.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't make sense. We recieved a pass last year from the state regarding the, (now law), to end the suspension of students that require more individualised attention. We didn't abide by the law last year because of budgetary concerns and the suspension officer, Larry Cafero (Atty at Law), (State Represntative), (talk about triple dipping), brought in a nice tidy sum last year and this year throwing out all those students, yet we are hiring nanny's for students that require dramatically more attention than a distracted adolescent?
ReplyDeleteNorwalk Public Schools is breaking the law?
Old news unfortunately.
That is an interesting observation.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the numbers for suspensions and expulsions anyway?
Could the breakdown by race be an eye opener?
Would the A.C.L.U. and the N.A.A.C.P. organizations break into hysteric convulsions if these numbers were made available to the public?
Today my child watched a movie (scholastic- based, I think) in lieu of recess. Couldn't play board games or legos. Went to the Library and watched movies of the books on computers. Went to music (music teacher had a meeting) and watched a movie.
ReplyDeleteSteve: Please talk to this! My child comes home with enough screen time to hit the AAP recommended limit. Does this concern anyone? Who is deciding this is appropriate teaching? Does the principal have a clue that this much screen time happens during one day?
Disturbed parent said... - You are asking Steve to answer an operations question, but the board of education isn't responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school system; it is a policy-making and budget-setting body. You should be asking someone at the building level. If you can't do that for some reason, the assistant superintendent is in charge of curriculum and instruction. However, he is going to have to direct this to the principal anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnon 7:35, if I were you I would not be complaining on a blog to Colarossi. I'd be in the Main Office asking the Principal for a satisfactory explanation that focuses on the education of your child and not the convenience of electronic babysitting during school hours. That way the Principal would be put on notice. Then, I'd dial up the Central Office and make it known loud and clear that this is not acceptable--no way, no how!
ReplyDeleteWhat's the deal with the darn blackberries! Are they OUT OF THEIR MINDS?!? Who approved this?!? Steve--I want names of the people who carry these essential blackberries on my dime! Pack those blackberries up and send them back for a refund. I cannot even afford to put one in my own hands or my wife's hands, but here I am paying for some central office fat cats to have them? Give me a break...a tax break to be exact!!!!
ReplyDeleteDisturbed Parent-
ReplyDeleteI didn't want you to feel as if your concerns were not read and appreciated. However, as the other posters have indicated, how a principal supervises staff is entirely a matter that is between the principal and his/her staff and then between the Director of Elementary Education and the principal.
I would contact your principal, if you haven't already, to try to get some reasons for the significant time you son watched videos.
As for the Blackberries, I will be looking into this matter.
Thank you Mr. Colorossi for your efforts to improve communications. Most all, sincerely appreciate your efforts and time.
ReplyDeleteMany are very concerned about the pick for super. There have been considerable and valid points made and an interesting discussion is ongoing about what skills and leadership responsibilities the cadidate posseses or lacks.
This candidate appears to be, not, a good pick for Norwalk. Steve, its too important, slow it down, rewind, freeze frame.
Everyone understands the pressure, all the more important to think, than think again.
There is someone out there, please find him or her. Give us some selection.
If CABE bucks, buck back harder, get our dimes worth. It's too critical of a decision.
I agree with 5:26. I vote NO for this candidate. She is not right for Norwalk. Is anyone listening?????
ReplyDeleteBTW, a site visit that is 'glowing' is very suspect. Ask yourself if her people in her district are anxious to get rid of her?
Anyone who thinks Central Orifice is understaffed should NOT be hired.
ReplyDelete