A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com
Connor Murphy will have to wait to visit Egypt. The high school senior's field trip to Egypt was canceled Sunday evening. "It's disappointing," said Connor, a fourth year Arabic student at Center for Global Studies who had put off the trip until his last year of high school. "I wanted to make sure I had enough Arabic under my belt."
Murphy is one of 15 students from CGS who were scheduled to leave for Cairo next week. In the last week, however, tens of thousands of protestors have taken to the streets of major Egyptian cities in anti-governments protests, calling for their president to step down. There have been reports of violence, rioting and clashes between civilians and police.
A group of parents, students and administrators met Sunday evening at Brien McMahon. Earlier in the day, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert telling US citizens to avoid travel to Egypt. "We canceled the trip. There was no questioning the decision," global studies Director Roslynne McCarthy said after the meeting. "The kids and their parents have been watching the events unfold on CNN and BBC."
McCarthy is surprised by how quickly the protests grew.
"We are all really stunned at how quickly things have escalated," she said. "Just last week, we were meeting and thought we were going. But given the recent events, the decision was made for us."
Though disappointed, Murphy understands. "I've been following the news ever since the uprising started," he says. "It was inevitable."
Murphy's goal is to work for the U.S. State Department and be stationed in the Middle East. "I plan on making trips to the Middle East in future, so I'm not too heartbroken," he says.
McCarthy said that she'll work with the group's travel agent to try to recoup the students' deposits. "I hope to get a good portion back." The Board of Education is scheduled to discuss the trip at its Tuesday meeting, said Assistant Superintendent Tony Dadonna, who attended the Sunday meeting.
McCarthy said several students had already made contact with their Egyptian host families through Facebook. "There is a personal connection now. The kids and parents are saying, 'Now we have friends in Egypt. We are praying for their safety.'"
Monday, January 31, 2011
West Rocks Kids Rack Up Frequent Reader Miles
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
West Rocks seventh-grader Chantel Williams is on a trip around the world. So far she’s made it to Nairobi and hopes to be in Beijing by the Chinese New Year. Williams and other middle schoolers are earning miles by reading.
It’s all part of the year-long book-a-thon “Read Around the World,” where each volume counts for miles toward the 30,000 mile trek.
“Before, I didn’t really like reading, [but] now I’m starting to like it,” says Williams, who has read seven books since the start of the year. So far, her favorite is the vampire novel “Cirque du Freak” by Darren Shan.
“Our goal is to create a buzz in the school about reading,” says Mark Bonasera, assistant vice principal, who is spearheading the project. “We are fostering a culture of literacy here.”
Bonasera and the school’s language art teachers designed the program over the summer as a way to boost reading skills, and in particular reading scores on the CMTs. They also want to encourage students to read a broad range of books. “We especially want to reinforce non-fiction reading,” says Rebecca Sabol, a seventh-grade language arts teacher. “Reading is a key to closing the achievement gap.”
All the books are recorded in a passport. Once a month, students are entered into a raffle for reading and win prizes provided by local businesses. Students conference regularly with their teachers, who suggest books. They also write book reviews, which are shared on morning announcements. “There’s a friendly competition among the students about the number of books they are reading,” says Bonasera.
The entire school staff, including teachers, aides and librarians, are onboard, too. They write the book they are reading outside of their classrooms and offices. “What I am reading: The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexander Dumas,” is written outside a French classroom.
Though the goal is 15 books per student, eighth-grader Mitesh Parmar says he doesn’t keep track of how many he reads any more. “More than 20, for sure,” he says. “It’s great to get stuff for doing what you normally do."
West Rocks seventh-grader Chantel Williams is on a trip around the world. So far she’s made it to Nairobi and hopes to be in Beijing by the Chinese New Year. Williams and other middle schoolers are earning miles by reading.
It’s all part of the year-long book-a-thon “Read Around the World,” where each volume counts for miles toward the 30,000 mile trek.
“Before, I didn’t really like reading, [but] now I’m starting to like it,” says Williams, who has read seven books since the start of the year. So far, her favorite is the vampire novel “Cirque du Freak” by Darren Shan.
“Our goal is to create a buzz in the school about reading,” says Mark Bonasera, assistant vice principal, who is spearheading the project. “We are fostering a culture of literacy here.”
Bonasera and the school’s language art teachers designed the program over the summer as a way to boost reading skills, and in particular reading scores on the CMTs. They also want to encourage students to read a broad range of books. “We especially want to reinforce non-fiction reading,” says Rebecca Sabol, a seventh-grade language arts teacher. “Reading is a key to closing the achievement gap.”
All the books are recorded in a passport. Once a month, students are entered into a raffle for reading and win prizes provided by local businesses. Students conference regularly with their teachers, who suggest books. They also write book reviews, which are shared on morning announcements. “There’s a friendly competition among the students about the number of books they are reading,” says Bonasera.
The entire school staff, including teachers, aides and librarians, are onboard, too. They write the book they are reading outside of their classrooms and offices. “What I am reading: The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexander Dumas,” is written outside a French classroom.
Though the goal is 15 books per student, eighth-grader Mitesh Parmar says he doesn’t keep track of how many he reads any more. “More than 20, for sure,” he says. “It’s great to get stuff for doing what you normally do."
Friday, January 28, 2011
Colarossi Comments on ECS Funding
We need the public to support a dramatic change in the underlying Education Cost Sharing formula.
If you examine the total ECS aid Norwalk received from 2002 to 2008, our percentage (of the total ECS grants awarded) decreased! You can see this for yourselves at the State Department of Education website:
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/dgm/report1/ECSEntit.pdf
The formula, which is periodically tweaked by the General Assembly, treats Norwalk unfairly for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it places a disproportionate emphasis on certain "town wealth" factors, while ignoring the true need of our students. How else can you explain that smaller towns, and towns that are not considered "Priority School" districts, receive more ECS funding than we do?
The injustice was compounded this past summer when the ECS formula was used to distribute federal education jobs money (and was yet another example of how Meriden, with about 1/3 fewer residents, garnered about 5 times more money than did Norwalk).
The inequities are fairly obvious when you look at Norwalk’s ranking among all cities and towns in Connecticut—we rank around 42nd for total ECS aid, but are the 6th largest city in the state. Smaller towns which are not Priority School districts receive more aid.
Maybe, with the impetus of the Common Council resolution and enough of us writing to them, we can work with our entire legislative delegation to not just sponsor, but actively advocate, for the changes to the ECS formula our students-- and our taxpayers-- deserve.
If you examine the total ECS aid Norwalk received from 2002 to 2008, our percentage (of the total ECS grants awarded) decreased! You can see this for yourselves at the State Department of Education website:
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/dgm/report1/ECSEntit.pdf
The formula, which is periodically tweaked by the General Assembly, treats Norwalk unfairly for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it places a disproportionate emphasis on certain "town wealth" factors, while ignoring the true need of our students. How else can you explain that smaller towns, and towns that are not considered "Priority School" districts, receive more ECS funding than we do?
The injustice was compounded this past summer when the ECS formula was used to distribute federal education jobs money (and was yet another example of how Meriden, with about 1/3 fewer residents, garnered about 5 times more money than did Norwalk).
The inequities are fairly obvious when you look at Norwalk’s ranking among all cities and towns in Connecticut—we rank around 42nd for total ECS aid, but are the 6th largest city in the state. Smaller towns which are not Priority School districts receive more aid.
Maybe, with the impetus of the Common Council resolution and enough of us writing to them, we can work with our entire legislative delegation to not just sponsor, but actively advocate, for the changes to the ECS formula our students-- and our taxpayers-- deserve.
Common Council Needs Ed Focus by Kimmel
Here is Bruce Kimmel's latest op-ed which appeared in The Hour.
The Norwalk Board of Education has adopted an operating budget that requires a 4.5 percent increase in spending. The next step in the budget process will be taken by the Common Council when it establishes an overall limit on spending for the 2011-12 fiscal year. I am cautiously optimistic that the Council will approve a spending cap that enables the Board of Estimate and Taxation to provide sufficient funds for the BOE. However, I have some reservations. Here’s why.
I served on the Council from 1997 until August 2005. Before voting on BOE items, especially in the late 1990s, Council members were usually provided information from the Superintendent or some other BOE official. On more than a few occasions, we were uncomfortable with that information because we had no independent analysis of the particular request. Our own staff was generally stretched too thin to delve deeply into these requests, although I recall a few instances when they suggested we should not accept the BOE analysis or rationale.
This problem was partially addressed early last decade by the creation of the Norwalk Facilities and Construction Commission, whose responsibilities include close examination of all construction requests, including those of the BOE. It is comprised of residents who have a background in construction and facilities management. The city has also established a Technology Committee to perform similar analyses for all technology upgrades and projects.
However, I still believe there is a major problem in one area – and it’s a big one: the Council’s responsibility vis-a-vis the BOE’s operating budget. Under our City Charter, the Council sets an overall spending limit for the operating budget, and the Board of Estimate and Taxation decides how the funds are divided among the different departments, including the BOE.
The problem is that the level of spending established by the Council is invariably dependent on the size of the BOE’s request (despite statements to the contrary by some Council members who would rather shift responsibility to the BET). Thus, establishing the spending cap requires some sort of evaluation, or at least an opinion, of the BOE budget.
Education is a controversial, expensive and complex issue. Communities are repeatedly asked to pay for mandates, programs and personnel without hard statistical evidence that they increase student achievement or enhance the overall educational experience of students. Nonetheless, each year, when establishing a spending limit, Council members have to make budget decisions that directly or indirectly relate to our schools.
Generally, they rely on recommendations from the city’s Finance Director. While these recommendations must be respected, I believe the Council needs an on-going mechanism that keeps members up-to-date on what’s happening in the rapidly changing world of education.
I was pleased last year when the Council established an Education Committee. But it seems the committee, which I don’t believe has ever met, was doomed from the start because of its “ad hoc” status and its narrow purview. Ad hoc committees usually meet on an as-needed basis. This committee was established, I’ve been told, to foster better communication between the Council and the BOE. Problem is: Council members do not need a committee and thus additional meetings to merely communicate with Board members.
But they do need an Education Committee – like city and town councils across the nation – that provides in-depth knowledge of all types of education issues that influence the quality of life, as well as the property values, in our city. These committees deal with a host of school-community issues, such as gang violence, before- and after-school programs, graduation rates, expensive unfunded state mandates, special education costs, school transportation, etc. They often invite independent experts to these meetings, and they occasionally issue recommendations to their Boards of Education.
If the quality of our schools is ever to become a community responsibility, if we are ever to rid ourselves of the divisive notion that our community is divided between taxpayers (whose interests are represented by the Mayor and the Council) and parents (whose interests are represented by the BOE and Superintendent), we might start by removing the ad hoc label from the Council’s Education Committee and by broadening its mandate.
That’s also the best way to ensure that Council members have accurate, facts-based knowledge on how much money our school system needs to provide a quality education for each and every one of our students.
The Norwalk Board of Education has adopted an operating budget that requires a 4.5 percent increase in spending. The next step in the budget process will be taken by the Common Council when it establishes an overall limit on spending for the 2011-12 fiscal year. I am cautiously optimistic that the Council will approve a spending cap that enables the Board of Estimate and Taxation to provide sufficient funds for the BOE. However, I have some reservations. Here’s why.
I served on the Council from 1997 until August 2005. Before voting on BOE items, especially in the late 1990s, Council members were usually provided information from the Superintendent or some other BOE official. On more than a few occasions, we were uncomfortable with that information because we had no independent analysis of the particular request. Our own staff was generally stretched too thin to delve deeply into these requests, although I recall a few instances when they suggested we should not accept the BOE analysis or rationale.
This problem was partially addressed early last decade by the creation of the Norwalk Facilities and Construction Commission, whose responsibilities include close examination of all construction requests, including those of the BOE. It is comprised of residents who have a background in construction and facilities management. The city has also established a Technology Committee to perform similar analyses for all technology upgrades and projects.
However, I still believe there is a major problem in one area – and it’s a big one: the Council’s responsibility vis-a-vis the BOE’s operating budget. Under our City Charter, the Council sets an overall spending limit for the operating budget, and the Board of Estimate and Taxation decides how the funds are divided among the different departments, including the BOE.
The problem is that the level of spending established by the Council is invariably dependent on the size of the BOE’s request (despite statements to the contrary by some Council members who would rather shift responsibility to the BET). Thus, establishing the spending cap requires some sort of evaluation, or at least an opinion, of the BOE budget.
Education is a controversial, expensive and complex issue. Communities are repeatedly asked to pay for mandates, programs and personnel without hard statistical evidence that they increase student achievement or enhance the overall educational experience of students. Nonetheless, each year, when establishing a spending limit, Council members have to make budget decisions that directly or indirectly relate to our schools.
Generally, they rely on recommendations from the city’s Finance Director. While these recommendations must be respected, I believe the Council needs an on-going mechanism that keeps members up-to-date on what’s happening in the rapidly changing world of education.
I was pleased last year when the Council established an Education Committee. But it seems the committee, which I don’t believe has ever met, was doomed from the start because of its “ad hoc” status and its narrow purview. Ad hoc committees usually meet on an as-needed basis. This committee was established, I’ve been told, to foster better communication between the Council and the BOE. Problem is: Council members do not need a committee and thus additional meetings to merely communicate with Board members.
But they do need an Education Committee – like city and town councils across the nation – that provides in-depth knowledge of all types of education issues that influence the quality of life, as well as the property values, in our city. These committees deal with a host of school-community issues, such as gang violence, before- and after-school programs, graduation rates, expensive unfunded state mandates, special education costs, school transportation, etc. They often invite independent experts to these meetings, and they occasionally issue recommendations to their Boards of Education.
If the quality of our schools is ever to become a community responsibility, if we are ever to rid ourselves of the divisive notion that our community is divided between taxpayers (whose interests are represented by the Mayor and the Council) and parents (whose interests are represented by the BOE and Superintendent), we might start by removing the ad hoc label from the Council’s Education Committee and by broadening its mandate.
That’s also the best way to ensure that Council members have accurate, facts-based knowledge on how much money our school system needs to provide a quality education for each and every one of our students.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Common Council Puts Forth Resolution on ECS Formula
The following resolution is on Tuesday's Common Council Agenda.
Be it resolved: The Norwalk Common Council respectfully requests, on behalf of the citizens of Norwalk, that Connecticut Education Cost Sharing Grants be reviewed and appropriately revised to reflect recent changes in sociological, economic and demographic information; and adjusted favorably to account for such changes.
The full resolution reads
Whereas, The State of Connecticut Educational Cost Sharing grant system is Connecticut’s primary education equalization aid program; and
Whereas the ECS formula is designed to allocate grant funds to school districts to fairly reflect student need as a function of poverty, test performance and limited English proficiency as well as district wealth, and
Whereas, it is the contention of the Common Council of the City of Norwalk that, when compared with other Connecticut municipalities of similar sociological composition, the ECS grant allocation to the City of Norwalk is substantially smaller; and
Whereas, the Council sites as example the following data:
Bridgeport 68.2 268 183
Danbury 69.2 119 83
Hartford 63.2 364 230
New Britain 60.4 137 83
New Haven 60.9 312 189
Norwalk 11.1 160 18
Stamford 8.8 234 21
Waterbury 56.2 232 130
Pastoral communities without apparent urban challenges often receive comparatively higher ECS support than the City of Norwalk.
District ECS % 2007-2008
Canterbury 46.5
Canton 18.2
Hebron 35.0
Mansfield 33.3
Watertown 35.6
Wethersfield 18.5
Wolcott 44.7
Woodstock 35.4
Norwalk 11.1
Now, therefore, be it resolved: The Norwalk Common Council respectfully requests, on behalf of the citizens of Norwalk, that Connecticut Education Cost Sharing Grants be reviewed and appropriately revised to reflect recent changes in sociological, economic and demographic information; and adjusted favorably to account for such changes.
Be it resolved: The Norwalk Common Council respectfully requests, on behalf of the citizens of Norwalk, that Connecticut Education Cost Sharing Grants be reviewed and appropriately revised to reflect recent changes in sociological, economic and demographic information; and adjusted favorably to account for such changes.
Be it resolved: The Norwalk Common Council respectfully requests, on behalf of the citizens of Norwalk, that Connecticut Education Cost Sharing Grants be reviewed and appropriately revised to reflect recent changes in sociological, economic and demographic information; and adjusted favorably to account for such changes.
The full resolution reads
Whereas, The State of Connecticut Educational Cost Sharing grant system is Connecticut’s primary education equalization aid program; and
Whereas the ECS formula is designed to allocate grant funds to school districts to fairly reflect student need as a function of poverty, test performance and limited English proficiency as well as district wealth, and
Whereas, it is the contention of the Common Council of the City of Norwalk that, when compared with other Connecticut municipalities of similar sociological composition, the ECS grant allocation to the City of Norwalk is substantially smaller; and
Whereas, the Council sites as example the following data:
- The growth of Norwalk’s percentage of students from non-English Language homes from 24.3% in the year 2000-2001 to 35.0% in the year 2005-2006, and the growth in the percentage of non-English language speaking students from 7.7% to 12.5% during the same period (while the across the State comparable percentage increased from only 3.7% to 5.2%).
- The growth in numbers of Norwalk children eligible for free or reduced priced meals from 23.1% in 2004-2005 to 39.9% in 2009-2010 (while the comparable State-wide percentages increased from 26.4% to 32.9%).
- The percentage of Norwalk’s educational costs derived from Connecticut Educational Cost Sharing Grants decreased from 11.7% to 11.1% between 2001 and 2008, ranking Norwalk second-to-last in the percentage category and last in actual revenue sharing dollars received among Connecticut’s cities as demonstrated in the following chart:
Bridgeport 68.2 268 183
Danbury 69.2 119 83
Hartford 63.2 364 230
New Britain 60.4 137 83
New Haven 60.9 312 189
Norwalk 11.1 160 18
Stamford 8.8 234 21
Waterbury 56.2 232 130
Pastoral communities without apparent urban challenges often receive comparatively higher ECS support than the City of Norwalk.
District ECS % 2007-2008
Canterbury 46.5
Canton 18.2
Hebron 35.0
Mansfield 33.3
Watertown 35.6
Wethersfield 18.5
Wolcott 44.7
Woodstock 35.4
Norwalk 11.1
Now, therefore, be it resolved: The Norwalk Common Council respectfully requests, on behalf of the citizens of Norwalk, that Connecticut Education Cost Sharing Grants be reviewed and appropriately revised to reflect recent changes in sociological, economic and demographic information; and adjusted favorably to account for such changes.
Be it resolved: The Norwalk Common Council respectfully requests, on behalf of the citizens of Norwalk, that Connecticut Education Cost Sharing Grants be reviewed and appropriately revised to reflect recent changes in sociological, economic and demographic information; and adjusted favorably to account for such changes.
Snow Day Number 4: Who's Counting?
Are you counting snow days? Last Friday, Norwalk schools were closed for the fourth time this year. According to the 2010-2011 NPS calendar and my calculation, this means the last day of school will be June 24th. With more snow expected this week and almost two months of winter left to go, we should all be wondering if the school year will last until July.
Days off from school don’t only affect kids. Many working parents are worried about their work schedules and the expense of paying for extra babysitting. An employer might understand one snow day, maybe two a year, but four, six, eight? For those who work from home, productivity plummets when “Mom! I need…” interrupts phone calls and memos. I know one working mom who is dipping into the vacation fund to pay for all the extra babysitting.
Many teachers I’ve talked to have expressed concern about how they’ll ever get through all the material they need cover before high stakes testing—CMTs, CAPT, AP exams.
Okay, maybe the kids are psyched. A few extra days to prepare for the science fair, a book report, a midterm exam. More time outside or in front of one screen or another.
Everyone is worried that this year may be a repeat of last year when many students and teachers sweltered in classrooms until June 29. Last year, we learned last year that the State requires 181 days of school and Department of Education rarely gives waivers on that number, even for freakish March storms that bring down countless trees.
On Friday, Superintendent Susan Marks said, “ I will be working with the board on how the days will be made up.” Last year, Norwalk did not take away any days from spring break after the March storm, but other school districts in the area did.
How are the snow days affecting you? Would you prefer that the school year be extended or days get taken away from Spring Break?
Days off from school don’t only affect kids. Many working parents are worried about their work schedules and the expense of paying for extra babysitting. An employer might understand one snow day, maybe two a year, but four, six, eight? For those who work from home, productivity plummets when “Mom! I need…” interrupts phone calls and memos. I know one working mom who is dipping into the vacation fund to pay for all the extra babysitting.
Many teachers I’ve talked to have expressed concern about how they’ll ever get through all the material they need cover before high stakes testing—CMTs, CAPT, AP exams.
Okay, maybe the kids are psyched. A few extra days to prepare for the science fair, a book report, a midterm exam. More time outside or in front of one screen or another.
Everyone is worried that this year may be a repeat of last year when many students and teachers sweltered in classrooms until June 29. Last year, we learned last year that the State requires 181 days of school and Department of Education rarely gives waivers on that number, even for freakish March storms that bring down countless trees.
On Friday, Superintendent Susan Marks said, “ I will be working with the board on how the days will be made up.” Last year, Norwalk did not take away any days from spring break after the March storm, but other school districts in the area did.
How are the snow days affecting you? Would you prefer that the school year be extended or days get taken away from Spring Break?
BMHS Seniors Attend First Lady Speech on Chinese Studies
Below is story I wrote about a Brien McMahon senior who attended a China Study Abroad Forum in DC where Michelle Obama gave the keynote address. Here is a stat from the 100,000 Strong Initiative website that I thought interesting: Ten times more Chinese students come to the United States for educational programs than Americans who study in China, and 600 times more Chinese study the English language than Americans study Mandarin.
A version of this story appears on TheDailyNorwalk.com
Michelle Obama hopes that there will be more students in the U.S. like Brien McMahon's Sakthi Ramesh. Last week, Ramesh travelled to Washington D.C. to listen to the First Lady encourage young people to study abroad in China. Ramesh, who studies Mandarin at McMahon's Center for Global Studies, has already visited China once as a sophomore and plans to go again this spring for two weeks.
Ramesh, along with a fellow CGS student Hana Glasberg, attended the China Study Abroad Forum at Howard University on Wednesday. The event was part of Obama Administration’s “100,000 Strong” initiative, which aims to increase and diversify the number of American students studying in China. The Brien McMahon students were among 1,000 other students at Obama’s talk which coincided with the Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States last week.
“I came away from the event really excited about the opportunity to visit China again and live daily life as the Chinese do,” says Ramesh who was asked by her Mandarin teacher if she would be interested in attending the event. “Michelle Obama said two things that impressed me during the speech. She said that youth play a vital role in Chinese-American relations. She also said that when she and the President go abroad, they don’t only visit parliament buildings and palaces, they visit schools.”
Ramesh says she and Glasberg tried to meet the First Lady, but “security was very tight”.
Ramesh’s interest in China stems from the country’s importance on the global scene, but it’s also personal. She was born in Singapore, where there is a large Chinese population. “I want to retrace my Singaporean roots,” she says. Ramesh moved to Norwalk in sixth grade and has been studying Mandarin since.
In college, Ramesh plans to major in environmental studies and minor in Chinese. “ “My plan is to enforce environmental policies in China.”
A version of this story appears on TheDailyNorwalk.com
Michelle Obama hopes that there will be more students in the U.S. like Brien McMahon's Sakthi Ramesh. Last week, Ramesh travelled to Washington D.C. to listen to the First Lady encourage young people to study abroad in China. Ramesh, who studies Mandarin at McMahon's Center for Global Studies, has already visited China once as a sophomore and plans to go again this spring for two weeks.
Ramesh, along with a fellow CGS student Hana Glasberg, attended the China Study Abroad Forum at Howard University on Wednesday. The event was part of Obama Administration’s “100,000 Strong” initiative, which aims to increase and diversify the number of American students studying in China. The Brien McMahon students were among 1,000 other students at Obama’s talk which coincided with the Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States last week.
“I came away from the event really excited about the opportunity to visit China again and live daily life as the Chinese do,” says Ramesh who was asked by her Mandarin teacher if she would be interested in attending the event. “Michelle Obama said two things that impressed me during the speech. She said that youth play a vital role in Chinese-American relations. She also said that when she and the President go abroad, they don’t only visit parliament buildings and palaces, they visit schools.”
Ramesh says she and Glasberg tried to meet the First Lady, but “security was very tight”.
Ramesh’s interest in China stems from the country’s importance on the global scene, but it’s also personal. She was born in Singapore, where there is a large Chinese population. “I want to retrace my Singaporean roots,” she says. Ramesh moved to Norwalk in sixth grade and has been studying Mandarin since.
In college, Ramesh plans to major in environmental studies and minor in Chinese. “ “My plan is to enforce environmental policies in China.”
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Broken Pipe Closes Ponus Ridge School Wednesday
Ponus Ridge Middle School on Hunters Lane will be closed Wednesday because of a broken pipe and water damage, according to the Norwalk schools website.
Superintendent Susan Marks said in an email Tuesday evening: "Due to the broken pipes today at Ponus, a cleaning crew has been at the school all day, however there is considerable damage in 6 classrooms, the administrative office, the nurses office and the hall. The building will not be ready to open tomorrow, because it won't be able to be sanitized until tomorrow due to the pipes still leaking."
Superintendent Susan Marks said in an email Tuesday evening: "Due to the broken pipes today at Ponus, a cleaning crew has been at the school all day, however there is considerable damage in 6 classrooms, the administrative office, the nurses office and the hall. The building will not be ready to open tomorrow, because it won't be able to be sanitized until tomorrow due to the pipes still leaking."
Friday, January 14, 2011
City Official Blasts DPW on School Plowing
A version of this story appears on TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Common Council member Nora King's status on her Facebook page Wednesday evening read, "Norwalk is the only school who has cancelled for tomorrow. Does this clearly demonstrate a city that is not operating correctly? I think so!"
Norwalk Public Schools canceled classes for Thursday, the second day in a row after a major storm dropped more than a foot of snow in the area.
A check by TheDailyNorwalk.com showed that it would have been difficult to open schools Thursday. As of noon, the parking areas at Nathan Hale Middle School and Naramake Elementary School, both on Strawberry Hill Avenue, had not been cleared. Plowing of Norwalk High School, the third school on Strawberry Hill Avenue, had just begun. Across town, Brien McMahon had not been plowed by noon. At 1:30 p.m., the plows had made their way to Nathan Hale and Naramake. The city's Department of Public Works, not the school district, is responsible for clearing school parking lots.
"This is another example of the DPW not doing their job," King said in an interview. King, a member of the Common Council's Public Works Committee, has been a vocal critic of the DPW on several issues.
"There is a lack of accountability with the DPW," she said. "They should have a plan and a strategy for how they are going to plow the streets, and it should be posted on the Internet."
Hal Alvord, director of Norwalk's Department of Public Works, could not be reached for comment.
King also said the department should shed its reluctance to hire contractors. "If the DPW can't plow the schools on time, then they should have outside plow companies come and do it," she said. City budgets are tight, King said, but added that the DPW has 102 employees and suffered no budget cuts last year.
King also pointed out that Norwalk was the only area district that canceled school: Most had delayed openings. "There is a loss of productivity for parents," said King. Several working parents commented on TheDailyNorwalk.com's Facebook page that they took their children to work with them or worked from home.
Common Council member Nora King's status on her Facebook page Wednesday evening read, "Norwalk is the only school who has cancelled for tomorrow. Does this clearly demonstrate a city that is not operating correctly? I think so!"
Norwalk Public Schools canceled classes for Thursday, the second day in a row after a major storm dropped more than a foot of snow in the area.
A check by TheDailyNorwalk.com showed that it would have been difficult to open schools Thursday. As of noon, the parking areas at Nathan Hale Middle School and Naramake Elementary School, both on Strawberry Hill Avenue, had not been cleared. Plowing of Norwalk High School, the third school on Strawberry Hill Avenue, had just begun. Across town, Brien McMahon had not been plowed by noon. At 1:30 p.m., the plows had made their way to Nathan Hale and Naramake. The city's Department of Public Works, not the school district, is responsible for clearing school parking lots.
"This is another example of the DPW not doing their job," King said in an interview. King, a member of the Common Council's Public Works Committee, has been a vocal critic of the DPW on several issues.
"There is a lack of accountability with the DPW," she said. "They should have a plan and a strategy for how they are going to plow the streets, and it should be posted on the Internet."
Hal Alvord, director of Norwalk's Department of Public Works, could not be reached for comment.
King also said the department should shed its reluctance to hire contractors. "If the DPW can't plow the schools on time, then they should have outside plow companies come and do it," she said. City budgets are tight, King said, but added that the DPW has 102 employees and suffered no budget cuts last year.
King also pointed out that Norwalk was the only area district that canceled school: Most had delayed openings. "There is a loss of productivity for parents," said King. Several working parents commented on TheDailyNorwalk.com's Facebook page that they took their children to work with them or worked from home.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Board Adds to Budget Request
The Norwalk Board of Education voted 7-2 to increase the amount of money in its 2011-12 budget request to 4.25 percent over last year's budget. At the special meeting Tuesday night, school board member Jody Bishop-Pullan put forth a resolution to raise its budget request to the city to $156.7 million.
This request represents a nearly 1 percent increase over Superintendent Susan Marks's reluctantly recommended budget increase of 3.32 percent. "Our responsibility as a board is to advocate for what our district needs," said Bishop-Pullan, who discussed the proposal with Marks before the meeting. "We can't sacrifice the safety and education of our children." Before the meeting, several parents and community members expressed a similar sentiment and asked the board to not vote for the budget as it was initially presented.
"I agree 100 percent," said board member Steve Colarossi. "We need to be fiscally responsible but educationally sound." Board members Sue Haynie and Migdalia Rivas voted against the resolution.
School board Chairman Jack Chiaramonte said, "Nothing is set in stone until the city gives us their number." He was referring to the process in which the school board presents a budget request to the city. The Common Council then reviews the request and sets a 'cap' or limit for the city budget for the next fiscal year. The Board of Estimation & Taxation then allocates that amount to city departments, including the BOE. Chiaramonte urged parents and community members to advocate for the schools at meetings of the Common Council and the BET.
Haynie who voted against the increase because she said the board's request should reflect the city's anticipated increase of 2 percent to 3 percent. "The city has told us what we would get."
Mark called herself a "practical" person and said that whether the increase was 3.32 percent or 4.25 percent, a budget shortfall remains. "Even in the best scenario, we are still going to have to roll up our sleeves and make reductions."
This request represents a nearly 1 percent increase over Superintendent Susan Marks's reluctantly recommended budget increase of 3.32 percent. "Our responsibility as a board is to advocate for what our district needs," said Bishop-Pullan, who discussed the proposal with Marks before the meeting. "We can't sacrifice the safety and education of our children." Before the meeting, several parents and community members expressed a similar sentiment and asked the board to not vote for the budget as it was initially presented.
"I agree 100 percent," said board member Steve Colarossi. "We need to be fiscally responsible but educationally sound." Board members Sue Haynie and Migdalia Rivas voted against the resolution.
School board Chairman Jack Chiaramonte said, "Nothing is set in stone until the city gives us their number." He was referring to the process in which the school board presents a budget request to the city. The Common Council then reviews the request and sets a 'cap' or limit for the city budget for the next fiscal year. The Board of Estimation & Taxation then allocates that amount to city departments, including the BOE. Chiaramonte urged parents and community members to advocate for the schools at meetings of the Common Council and the BET.
Haynie who voted against the increase because she said the board's request should reflect the city's anticipated increase of 2 percent to 3 percent. "The city has told us what we would get."
Mark called herself a "practical" person and said that whether the increase was 3.32 percent or 4.25 percent, a budget shortfall remains. "Even in the best scenario, we are still going to have to roll up our sleeves and make reductions."
Monday, January 10, 2011
Union Concessions Should be Last Resort, Not First
As the BOE prepares to approve a budget for the 2011-2012 school year teachers and their unions have again become easy targets for board members and parents seeking to save money. Like last year, the Mayor, BET Chairman and education advocates like Lisa Thompson of Red Apples are calling for NPS employees to open up their contract and forego negotiated salary increases. Mayor Richard Moccia, Board of Estimation Chair Fred Wilms, and BOE Chair Jack Chiaramonte are talking about “shared sacrifice” which really means they want principals, teachers, and support staff to shoulder the taxpayers’ responsibility to properly fund Norwalk schools. (have a look at last year’s blog post on this subject).
Opening negotiated contracts is a big deal and not a good practice for a community that should honor its promises. Don’t we teach our children to try and honor their promises? It certainly shouldn’t be the knee jerk reaction as soon as budgets look tight. The budget process has just begun and there is still time to come up with possible savings. Remember last year? There may be a point later in the process when union members decide that cuts would hurt both their own employees and Norwalk kids. Even then there are more ways to garner savings than just a salary freeze—what about early retirement packages?
Let’s recall that the agreements now being challenged were negotiated in good faith between the unions and the BOE at a time when we already knew that the economy was at its lowest point in decades. The contracts were lauded by city officials for their prudence, raises were tempered against significant savings from new health care benefits. Many cuts that were on the table in 2009-10 budget were staved off because of those savings. (the real focus on unions should be on accountability measures and tenure)
The message from the district's leadership does not support across the board salary freezes. While Marks is freezing her salary, what about the rest of her team? The BOE sent the wrong message when it handed out 3 percent raises just this summer to the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Human Resources and gives the incoming CFO a salary of $175K which the district cannot arguably afford. Is it any wonder that union members balk at a wage freeze when many of the districts highest paid employees in Central Office haven’t taken a wage freeze?
Education budgets everywhere are in a period of contraction. There are few good choices and cuts are almost certain. However, the solution of first resort to our budget woes cannot be to go year after year to our school secretaries, classroom aides, and teachers and ask them to dip into their pocketbooks. If Norwalk wants to be a vibrant community with a strong school system that attracts the best teachers, the community has come up with creative funding solutions, increase revenue to the district, be more efficient, make cuts based on least impact to student achievement, consider increasing taxes, and negotiate solid contracts.
Opening negotiated contracts is a big deal and not a good practice for a community that should honor its promises. Don’t we teach our children to try and honor their promises? It certainly shouldn’t be the knee jerk reaction as soon as budgets look tight. The budget process has just begun and there is still time to come up with possible savings. Remember last year? There may be a point later in the process when union members decide that cuts would hurt both their own employees and Norwalk kids. Even then there are more ways to garner savings than just a salary freeze—what about early retirement packages?
Let’s recall that the agreements now being challenged were negotiated in good faith between the unions and the BOE at a time when we already knew that the economy was at its lowest point in decades. The contracts were lauded by city officials for their prudence, raises were tempered against significant savings from new health care benefits. Many cuts that were on the table in 2009-10 budget were staved off because of those savings. (the real focus on unions should be on accountability measures and tenure)
The message from the district's leadership does not support across the board salary freezes. While Marks is freezing her salary, what about the rest of her team? The BOE sent the wrong message when it handed out 3 percent raises just this summer to the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Human Resources and gives the incoming CFO a salary of $175K which the district cannot arguably afford. Is it any wonder that union members balk at a wage freeze when many of the districts highest paid employees in Central Office haven’t taken a wage freeze?
Education budgets everywhere are in a period of contraction. There are few good choices and cuts are almost certain. However, the solution of first resort to our budget woes cannot be to go year after year to our school secretaries, classroom aides, and teachers and ask them to dip into their pocketbooks. If Norwalk wants to be a vibrant community with a strong school system that attracts the best teachers, the community has come up with creative funding solutions, increase revenue to the district, be more efficient, make cuts based on least impact to student achievement, consider increasing taxes, and negotiate solid contracts.
Swim Team At Risk
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com
Norwalk swim team member Mallory Ham credits swimming with making her the person she is today. “I’ve set so many goals for myself due to swimming on the team,” says the Brien McMahon High School sophomore. “If there’s no team, how can I achieve these goals?”
Ham fears the swim team may be eliminated due to budget cuts proposed by Norwalk’s new superintendent. The cuts would eliminate the city’s co-op (joint Norwalk High and Brien McMahon) swimming and ice hockey teams. Last Thursday at the BOE finance committee meeting, several current and former members of the swim team spoke about the importance of swimming in their lives. The captain of the boys swim team told the BOE that he was failing his classes until he started on the swim team. Now he is a high honors student.
Meredith Pramer, captain of the girls team, has been accepted early to Providence College, where she will swim for the college team. Her fellow co-captain is attending Southern Connecticut State University on a swimming scholarship. Pramer says colleges look at high school swim meet scores when assessing and recruiting athletes. This year, Pramer broke the 100 meter butterfly record for Norwalk. “The younger girls on the team have the potential to break more records,” she says.
Pramer says Norwalk has a small team but that it is respected throughout the state. “For a small team we place pretty high,” she says. “Not only would it be devastating for the team, but for the whole state.”
In a letter to the editor last week, Nancy Wargo, swim team parent, asked why the swim team was less deserving than other groups. “Why is tennis, track, football or volleyball more important than swimming?” she asked. According to Wargo, 100 percent of swim team members attend college, 81 percent go on to swim on college teams, 86 percent receive college scholarships and 81 percent were recruited by colleges due to their sport and have a 3.5 grade point average.
Wargo and other swim team parents have suggested Norwalk schools adopt a pay to play fee to participate in sports and all other activities, such as music and theater. She suggests an annual fee of $50 per student, which would be reduced based on need. “This proposed pay-to-play solution expands the 'bank account,' allowing programs to be reintroduced/maintained and not result in additional cuts,” she writes.
According to the BOE, cutting the swim team will save the district $38,000. At Thursday’s meeting, BOE finance committee chair Steve Colarossi asked school administrators if there was a separate line item for pool maintenance costs, which he said should be separate from swim team costs. He has requested a breakdown of the coach’s salary and insurance and transportation costs.
Would you pay a Pay to Play fee to participate in sports?
Norwalk swim team member Mallory Ham credits swimming with making her the person she is today. “I’ve set so many goals for myself due to swimming on the team,” says the Brien McMahon High School sophomore. “If there’s no team, how can I achieve these goals?”
Ham fears the swim team may be eliminated due to budget cuts proposed by Norwalk’s new superintendent. The cuts would eliminate the city’s co-op (joint Norwalk High and Brien McMahon) swimming and ice hockey teams. Last Thursday at the BOE finance committee meeting, several current and former members of the swim team spoke about the importance of swimming in their lives. The captain of the boys swim team told the BOE that he was failing his classes until he started on the swim team. Now he is a high honors student.
Meredith Pramer, captain of the girls team, has been accepted early to Providence College, where she will swim for the college team. Her fellow co-captain is attending Southern Connecticut State University on a swimming scholarship. Pramer says colleges look at high school swim meet scores when assessing and recruiting athletes. This year, Pramer broke the 100 meter butterfly record for Norwalk. “The younger girls on the team have the potential to break more records,” she says.
Pramer says Norwalk has a small team but that it is respected throughout the state. “For a small team we place pretty high,” she says. “Not only would it be devastating for the team, but for the whole state.”
In a letter to the editor last week, Nancy Wargo, swim team parent, asked why the swim team was less deserving than other groups. “Why is tennis, track, football or volleyball more important than swimming?” she asked. According to Wargo, 100 percent of swim team members attend college, 81 percent go on to swim on college teams, 86 percent receive college scholarships and 81 percent were recruited by colleges due to their sport and have a 3.5 grade point average.
Wargo and other swim team parents have suggested Norwalk schools adopt a pay to play fee to participate in sports and all other activities, such as music and theater. She suggests an annual fee of $50 per student, which would be reduced based on need. “This proposed pay-to-play solution expands the 'bank account,' allowing programs to be reintroduced/maintained and not result in additional cuts,” she writes.
According to the BOE, cutting the swim team will save the district $38,000. At Thursday’s meeting, BOE finance committee chair Steve Colarossi asked school administrators if there was a separate line item for pool maintenance costs, which he said should be separate from swim team costs. He has requested a breakdown of the coach’s salary and insurance and transportation costs.
Would you pay a Pay to Play fee to participate in sports?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Hundreds Come Out to Support Schools
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com
Drew Todd, a Wolfpit parent, considers himself a newcomer to the Norwalk Public Schools and the budget process. His son is thriving in first grade, he says, but he’s worried about Wolpit’s future. Losing its assistant principal and aides could jeopardize it. “If you cut Mr. Weiss and the aides you are cutting two major cogs of progress in the school,” Todd said at Thursday evening’s Board of Education Finance Committee meeting.
A long week of public meetings to review Norwalk’s Board of Education budget for next year ended with a bang. Hundreds of parents and community members descended on Concert Hall in City Hall wearing their school or team sweatshirts to advocate for programs and staff at risk of the budget chopping block.
Scores of people, including many students and NPS alumni, lined up for their turn at the microphone. They spoke movingly about the importance of the swim teams, the High School to Career program, the Norwalk High School Marching Band. The entire West Rocks PTO board stood up in support of their Assistant Principal and the portable classroom that absorbs overflow in their school.
Amy Newson, Silvermine Elementary School PTO president, had a large cheering section when she underscored the importance of her school’s assistant principal and aides. "Without an assistant principal and aides, I am worried about a loss of responsiveness to parents," she said.
Other parents like Lynn Massey, Brien McMahon Parent’s Club president and Lisa Thomson, president of Red Apples a parent advocacy group, had pointed comments about the need for pay freezes across the district. They urged the unions to open their contracts so that program and staffing cuts might be mitigated.
Steve Colarossi, BOE Finance Committee Chair, asked school administrators about the feasibility of consolidating positions in Central Office, whether programs like the School to Career could be run with one staff member instead of two and whether the swim team budget includes pool maintenance costs. (which need to accounted for regardless of whether there is a swim team or not)
On Tuesday, the BOE is slated to voted on the Superintendent's recommended budget. However, BOE member Jack Chiaramonte reminded the public that none of the cuts would be definite at that point, noting the purpose of sending the budget to the city is to set a cap or maximum allottment for the BOE budget. "There is still a lot of work to be done," Chiaramonte said.
Should the BOE vote of this budget as it stands? What do you think?
Also, for some neighboring town perspective, here's an article, "Wilton Superintendent Warns of Teacher Cuts" on TheDailyWilton.com. They might have to lay off 40-50 teachers and increase class size to 25-26 students.
Drew Todd, a Wolfpit parent, considers himself a newcomer to the Norwalk Public Schools and the budget process. His son is thriving in first grade, he says, but he’s worried about Wolpit’s future. Losing its assistant principal and aides could jeopardize it. “If you cut Mr. Weiss and the aides you are cutting two major cogs of progress in the school,” Todd said at Thursday evening’s Board of Education Finance Committee meeting.
A long week of public meetings to review Norwalk’s Board of Education budget for next year ended with a bang. Hundreds of parents and community members descended on Concert Hall in City Hall wearing their school or team sweatshirts to advocate for programs and staff at risk of the budget chopping block.
Scores of people, including many students and NPS alumni, lined up for their turn at the microphone. They spoke movingly about the importance of the swim teams, the High School to Career program, the Norwalk High School Marching Band. The entire West Rocks PTO board stood up in support of their Assistant Principal and the portable classroom that absorbs overflow in their school.
Amy Newson, Silvermine Elementary School PTO president, had a large cheering section when she underscored the importance of her school’s assistant principal and aides. "Without an assistant principal and aides, I am worried about a loss of responsiveness to parents," she said.
Other parents like Lynn Massey, Brien McMahon Parent’s Club president and Lisa Thomson, president of Red Apples a parent advocacy group, had pointed comments about the need for pay freezes across the district. They urged the unions to open their contracts so that program and staffing cuts might be mitigated.
Steve Colarossi, BOE Finance Committee Chair, asked school administrators about the feasibility of consolidating positions in Central Office, whether programs like the School to Career could be run with one staff member instead of two and whether the swim team budget includes pool maintenance costs. (which need to accounted for regardless of whether there is a swim team or not)
On Tuesday, the BOE is slated to voted on the Superintendent's recommended budget. However, BOE member Jack Chiaramonte reminded the public that none of the cuts would be definite at that point, noting the purpose of sending the budget to the city is to set a cap or maximum allottment for the BOE budget. "There is still a lot of work to be done," Chiaramonte said.
Should the BOE vote of this budget as it stands? What do you think?
Also, for some neighboring town perspective, here's an article, "Wilton Superintendent Warns of Teacher Cuts" on TheDailyWilton.com. They might have to lay off 40-50 teachers and increase class size to 25-26 students.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
First Grade Aides Say Cuts Will Hurt
On a recent morning, Rene Biasi, a first-grade aide at Cranbury Elementary School, sat in the hall with two students who were getting reading help. They read “Sam’s Race,” a beginners book, aloud slowly and talked about the story. Afterwards, Biasi tested another student with his sight words. During snacktime, she helped the classroom teacher monitor the students and prep materials for the next lesson. “Everything in first grade is hands on," says Biase. "The teacher needs extra hands.”
Next year, Biasi may have to look for another job. Superintendent Susan Marks’ recommended 2011-12 budget eliminates first-grade aides throughout the district for a saving of about $500,000. To keep her budget at $155 million, a 3.3 percent increase over last year, Marks needs to make $4 million in cuts.
Currently, elementary schools in Norwalk have half-time aides in all first-grade classrooms. For example, Cranbury has five first-grade classes and two full-time aides and one part-timer who rotate among the classes. While kindergarten classes have full-time aides, there are no classroom aides in grades 2-5. (The exception is Columbus Magnet School, which has full-time aides in all grades because of their special magnet program.)
First-grade aides play an important role in early literacy, says Cranbury first-grade teacher Dana Johnson. “First grade is a critical year. The amount that needs to be covered is staggering. We cover critical word work, phonics, spelling, reading. First grade is the basis for everything,” she says. “There is no way to get everything done without the aides.”
“Aides are not clerical positions,” says Assistant Principal Maureen Jones. “They are teaching in the classroom and they get a lot of literacy training.”
“This is devastating,” says Gina DiBlasi, a Cranbury first-grade aide for the past 15 years. “The kids who are struggling are going to fall further behind without the extra support. I don’t know how they will be ready for second grade. Kids are going to suffer.” She adds that she works with many English Language Learners who come into first grade not knowing letters and numbers.
Losing aides will impact the day-to-day operations of the school as well as student achievement, says Principal Robin Ives. Aides supervise lunch and recess. They also provide coverage in classrooms so teachers can have team meetings to discuss issues across the grade. “Having aides helps us maximize instructional time."
Ives is especially concerned because Cranbury has been making academic strides in the last few years and closing its achievement gap. Last year, Cranbury made "Annual Yearly Progress" and was removed from No Child Left Behind's "In Need of Improvement" list. "How are we supposed to make progress without resources?"
Next year, Biasi may have to look for another job. Superintendent Susan Marks’ recommended 2011-12 budget eliminates first-grade aides throughout the district for a saving of about $500,000. To keep her budget at $155 million, a 3.3 percent increase over last year, Marks needs to make $4 million in cuts.
Currently, elementary schools in Norwalk have half-time aides in all first-grade classrooms. For example, Cranbury has five first-grade classes and two full-time aides and one part-timer who rotate among the classes. While kindergarten classes have full-time aides, there are no classroom aides in grades 2-5. (The exception is Columbus Magnet School, which has full-time aides in all grades because of their special magnet program.)
First-grade aides play an important role in early literacy, says Cranbury first-grade teacher Dana Johnson. “First grade is a critical year. The amount that needs to be covered is staggering. We cover critical word work, phonics, spelling, reading. First grade is the basis for everything,” she says. “There is no way to get everything done without the aides.”
“Aides are not clerical positions,” says Assistant Principal Maureen Jones. “They are teaching in the classroom and they get a lot of literacy training.”
“This is devastating,” says Gina DiBlasi, a Cranbury first-grade aide for the past 15 years. “The kids who are struggling are going to fall further behind without the extra support. I don’t know how they will be ready for second grade. Kids are going to suffer.” She adds that she works with many English Language Learners who come into first grade not knowing letters and numbers.
Losing aides will impact the day-to-day operations of the school as well as student achievement, says Principal Robin Ives. Aides supervise lunch and recess. They also provide coverage in classrooms so teachers can have team meetings to discuss issues across the grade. “Having aides helps us maximize instructional time."
Ives is especially concerned because Cranbury has been making academic strides in the last few years and closing its achievement gap. Last year, Cranbury made "Annual Yearly Progress" and was removed from No Child Left Behind's "In Need of Improvement" list. "How are we supposed to make progress without resources?"
Parents Dig into Budget Details
Rowayton Elementary School parent Shannon Thkotova went to the PTO Council budget workshop Wednesday night to hear city officials explain the budget process. She also had several questions of her own regarding possible union givebacks and whether the city could levy any other taxes for schools besides property taxes. (It can't).
The PTO Council meeting was designed to give the community a broad look at the budget process from the city and schools side, and the topics and questions were all over the map. Fred Wilms, chairman of the Board of Estimation & Taxation, explained the city's budget scenario. "We are in a somewhat better place than last year," though the situation is still grim, he said. Wilms explained that the current school year's budget had a zero percent increase over the previous budget.
He said he expects the school board to receive a 2 percent increase for 2011-12, which is less than the 3.3 percent increase recommended by Superintendent Susan Marks. And he expects the city's overall tax rate to increase about 2 percent. He said taxpayers, especially senior citizens and residents on fixed incomes, cannot afford anything more.
Wilms echoed Mayor Richard Moccia's call for a "spirit of shared sacrifice." He called on the unions to take a one-year wage freeze. Union leaders Bruce Mellion and Tony Ditrio were at the meeting but didn't respond to Wilms' comments.
Lynne Moore, principal of West Rocks and a Norwalk resident, challenged Wilms. "What's a percent more, $120 to $180?" she asked, referring to increase that the average homeowner would see in their property tax.
Common Council members Doug Hempstead and Rick McQuaid also spoke, as did Marks and school board Finance Committee Chairman Steve Collarossi.
Parents asked whether principals could control their school's budget. They also questioned the salaries of top administrators and whether they would forgo raises or take pay cuts. Marks has already said she won't take a salary increase. Marc Robinson said the budget should look out five years and more clearly "reflect the goals of the school district." Kerry O'Neill, PTO Council vice president, asked whether technology upgrades and related staff could be included in the capital budget. Outsourcing and consolidation of services were mentioned as possible ways to save money.
The PTO Council meeting was designed to give the community a broad look at the budget process from the city and schools side, and the topics and questions were all over the map. Fred Wilms, chairman of the Board of Estimation & Taxation, explained the city's budget scenario. "We are in a somewhat better place than last year," though the situation is still grim, he said. Wilms explained that the current school year's budget had a zero percent increase over the previous budget.
He said he expects the school board to receive a 2 percent increase for 2011-12, which is less than the 3.3 percent increase recommended by Superintendent Susan Marks. And he expects the city's overall tax rate to increase about 2 percent. He said taxpayers, especially senior citizens and residents on fixed incomes, cannot afford anything more.
Wilms echoed Mayor Richard Moccia's call for a "spirit of shared sacrifice." He called on the unions to take a one-year wage freeze. Union leaders Bruce Mellion and Tony Ditrio were at the meeting but didn't respond to Wilms' comments.
Lynne Moore, principal of West Rocks and a Norwalk resident, challenged Wilms. "What's a percent more, $120 to $180?" she asked, referring to increase that the average homeowner would see in their property tax.
Common Council members Doug Hempstead and Rick McQuaid also spoke, as did Marks and school board Finance Committee Chairman Steve Collarossi.
Parents asked whether principals could control their school's budget. They also questioned the salaries of top administrators and whether they would forgo raises or take pay cuts. Marks has already said she won't take a salary increase. Marc Robinson said the budget should look out five years and more clearly "reflect the goals of the school district." Kerry O'Neill, PTO Council vice president, asked whether technology upgrades and related staff could be included in the capital budget. Outsourcing and consolidation of services were mentioned as possible ways to save money.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Community Pleads to Save Programs
Caitlin Emro, a member of Norwalk High's Class of 2006, told the Board of Education that proposed cuts in the School to Career programs at NHS and Brien McMahon would deny high schoolers an opportunity to explore careers.
Emro, who recently graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in biology, said job shadowing at Norwalk Hospital sparked her interest in science. "It gave me a unique opportunity and that extra push helps," she said. Colleges and employers look to see where students have interned, she said. Emro said her brother who wants to become a chef would benefit from the porgram.
She was one of several community members who spoke at Tuesday evening's Board of Education meeting, where Superintendent Susan Marks presented her proposed budget for the 2011-12 school year. A first grade teacher at Rowayton Elementary School spoke about the importance of aides in her classroom, and parents of students in the joint high school swim team suggested a "pay to play" activities fee be levied on athletes and musicians to help fund those programs. First grade aides as well as the swim team are on the chopping block in the budget plan.
Lynne Moore, principal of West Rocks Middle School, who said the cuts would be "devastating" called on city officials and residents to support education by raising taxes. Lynn Massey, president of the Brien McMahon parents club, said union members, including teachers and administrators, should reopen their contracts and forgo salary increases.
Marks' $155 million budget reflects a 3.3 percent increase over last year's budget. But because of negotiated increases in salaries and benefits, which make up 85 percent of the budget, no-growth budget would have had to increase more than 6 percent. The district is looking to eliminate positions and cut programs to make up the $4 million shortfall.
Marks said she had dreams when she arrived in Norwalk last summer as the new superintendent. "I wanted to take a good school system and make it great, but our renaissance won't start this year. It will have to wait."
Mayor Richard Moccia said other area towns are looking at school budget increases of 1 percent to 3 percent. "We are not in a unique situation," he said.
School board member Jody Bishop Pullan said she would not support the budget in its current form. "We should be advocating for what we need, not this," she said.
The PTO Council is holding a budget workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the McCarthy Room of City Hill, where parents can ask school and city leaders questions about the budget. The school board's finance committee will hold a budget session at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Concert Hall in City Hall.
Emro, who recently graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in biology, said job shadowing at Norwalk Hospital sparked her interest in science. "It gave me a unique opportunity and that extra push helps," she said. Colleges and employers look to see where students have interned, she said. Emro said her brother who wants to become a chef would benefit from the porgram.
She was one of several community members who spoke at Tuesday evening's Board of Education meeting, where Superintendent Susan Marks presented her proposed budget for the 2011-12 school year. A first grade teacher at Rowayton Elementary School spoke about the importance of aides in her classroom, and parents of students in the joint high school swim team suggested a "pay to play" activities fee be levied on athletes and musicians to help fund those programs. First grade aides as well as the swim team are on the chopping block in the budget plan.
Lynne Moore, principal of West Rocks Middle School, who said the cuts would be "devastating" called on city officials and residents to support education by raising taxes. Lynn Massey, president of the Brien McMahon parents club, said union members, including teachers and administrators, should reopen their contracts and forgo salary increases.
Marks' $155 million budget reflects a 3.3 percent increase over last year's budget. But because of negotiated increases in salaries and benefits, which make up 85 percent of the budget, no-growth budget would have had to increase more than 6 percent. The district is looking to eliminate positions and cut programs to make up the $4 million shortfall.
Marks said she had dreams when she arrived in Norwalk last summer as the new superintendent. "I wanted to take a good school system and make it great, but our renaissance won't start this year. It will have to wait."
Mayor Richard Moccia said other area towns are looking at school budget increases of 1 percent to 3 percent. "We are not in a unique situation," he said.
School board member Jody Bishop Pullan said she would not support the budget in its current form. "We should be advocating for what we need, not this," she said.
The PTO Council is holding a budget workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the McCarthy Room of City Hill, where parents can ask school and city leaders questions about the budget. The school board's finance committee will hold a budget session at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Concert Hall in City Hall.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Marathon Budget Meetings Begin Tonight
January 4, 2011 - Regular Board of Education Meeting - Formal Presentation of the Operating Budget, 7:45 p. m. in the Common Council Chambers
January 5 - Hosted by PTO Council, Parent Workshop, at 7:00 pm, McCarthy Room, City Hall. This is an opportunity for the community to engage in the budget analysis process. Common Council President Rick McQuaid and BET chair Fred Wilms are presenting, as well as Superintendent Marks and BOE Finance Committee Chair Steve Collarossi.
January 6 - BOE, Finance Committee Meeting will review and further discuss recommended budget, 7:00pm, Concert Hall, City hall
January 11 - Special Board of Education Meeting to approve the Operating Budget at 7:45 p. m. in room A300
Are you going? See you there.
January 5 - Hosted by PTO Council, Parent Workshop, at 7:00 pm, McCarthy Room, City Hall. This is an opportunity for the community to engage in the budget analysis process. Common Council President Rick McQuaid and BET chair Fred Wilms are presenting, as well as Superintendent Marks and BOE Finance Committee Chair Steve Collarossi.
January 6 - BOE, Finance Committee Meeting will review and further discuss recommended budget, 7:00pm, Concert Hall, City hall
January 11 - Special Board of Education Meeting to approve the Operating Budget at 7:45 p. m. in room A300
Are you going? See you there.
Per Pupil Spending Varies by Town
A version of this article appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
What does your school district spend per pupil? And how does it compare with your neighboring towns? Many Boards of Education will be evaluating this type of financial data as they enter school budget season. Below is a list of 2009-10 per pupil spending for Main Street Connect's 10 cities and towns, based on data compiled by the state Department of Education. They are ranked in order of spending from high to low.
Town/city 2009-10
Weston $17,359
Greenwich $17,155
New Canaan $17,032
Westport $16,974
Stamford $16,127
Wilton $15,692
Norwalk $15,686
Darien $14,981
Easton $14,674
Fairfield $14,455
Every year, the Connecticut Department of Education puts out a list of per pupil spending throughout the state, ranking the cities and towns across the state. The range from Weston to neighboring Easton is $2,800 per student. New Canaan spends $2,000 more per student than neighboring Darien. Those four towns as well as Wilton and Westport are all in the same District Reference Group, which is the way the state groups towns with similar demographics. Greenwich and Fairfield are in the same DRG, as are Norwalk and Stamford, which receive more state and federal money than their neighboring towns. In 2008-09, the Connecticut state average for per pupil spending was about $13,000. Not surprisingly, all of Main Street Connect's towns were well above that average.
Kevin Cambers, an education consultant at the state Department of Education, helps to compile the financial data. Although the state ranks districts, Chambers says, "No two towns are alike."
"Towns have to justify their own budgets," he says. Each district has factors that affect per pupil spending, such as the number of student who require special education services, which can be costly. Sudden increases or decreases in enrollments can also affect the per pupil spending.
I found this information interesting because it seems to show that there isn't necessarily a correlation between student achievement and per pupil spending, even in affluent towns. Over a 13 year period, each Norwalk student gets at least a $200,000 education. It makes you wonder why we are still a district in need of improvement.
What does your school district spend per pupil? And how does it compare with your neighboring towns? Many Boards of Education will be evaluating this type of financial data as they enter school budget season. Below is a list of 2009-10 per pupil spending for Main Street Connect's 10 cities and towns, based on data compiled by the state Department of Education. They are ranked in order of spending from high to low.
Town/city 2009-10
Weston $17,359
Greenwich $17,155
New Canaan $17,032
Westport $16,974
Stamford $16,127
Wilton $15,692
Norwalk $15,686
Darien $14,981
Easton $14,674
Fairfield $14,455
Every year, the Connecticut Department of Education puts out a list of per pupil spending throughout the state, ranking the cities and towns across the state. The range from Weston to neighboring Easton is $2,800 per student. New Canaan spends $2,000 more per student than neighboring Darien. Those four towns as well as Wilton and Westport are all in the same District Reference Group, which is the way the state groups towns with similar demographics. Greenwich and Fairfield are in the same DRG, as are Norwalk and Stamford, which receive more state and federal money than their neighboring towns. In 2008-09, the Connecticut state average for per pupil spending was about $13,000. Not surprisingly, all of Main Street Connect's towns were well above that average.
Kevin Cambers, an education consultant at the state Department of Education, helps to compile the financial data. Although the state ranks districts, Chambers says, "No two towns are alike."
"Towns have to justify their own budgets," he says. Each district has factors that affect per pupil spending, such as the number of student who require special education services, which can be costly. Sudden increases or decreases in enrollments can also affect the per pupil spending.
I found this information interesting because it seems to show that there isn't necessarily a correlation between student achievement and per pupil spending, even in affluent towns. Over a 13 year period, each Norwalk student gets at least a $200,000 education. It makes you wonder why we are still a district in need of improvement.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Schools to Monitor Sugary Treats: No more cupcakes?
As a parent, my "eat healthy" New Year’s resolution extends to my children. Cut out the juice for my 2-year-old, make my 7-year-old eat all her breakfast and coax my finicky 10-year-old to eat his veggies.
After a holiday season of non-stop sweets both in and out of school, I am now trying to tell my kids that cookies, cakes and candy are not meant to be eaten daily -- or hourly! Instead, these treats are for special occasions. Too much sugar is bad for their teeth, body and concentration, I tell my kids as they eye the vestiges of holiday feasting on the kitchen counter.
Just before the holiday break, Superintendent Susan Marks sent out a memo to parents about healthy eating. In it, she said obesity has become a “significant concern” for Norwalk students. “Data collected by the Norwalk Health Department shows that 39 percent of our students are overweight or obese, i.e., their Body Mass Index is at or above the 85th percentile,” she wrote. Yikes!
In her memo, Marks said that, from now on, holiday and school celebrations will be monitored carefully. The emphasis on birthday celebrations should be redirected from a food-focused activity to special activity or privilege, she said. “As an educational institution, our emphasis should shift from food to a focus on learning or the promotion of physical activity.”
At my niece’s preschool in Texas, sweets are prohibited at birthday celebrations. On her birthday, my sister brought in a pizza with four candles. I wonder if we are moving in that direction here in Norwalk?
Promoting healthy eating habits for kids has also been President Obama and the first lady's focus recently. Last month, the president signed a school lunch bill that aims, in part, to improve the quality of food sold in schools. While reporting on this story I learned that Connecticut has its own nutritional standards for school lunch, but that many local districts, such as Wilton, have not signed onto them because they might limit their ability to sell goodies at bake sales. Districts such as Norwalk that have agreed to the standards, have requested waivers for bake sales. However, cities across the country are curtailing bake sales. Can you imagine schools without bake sales? They go together like ... apple pie and ice cream.
How do we curb our kids' sugar consumption and encourage healthy eating habits in 2011? Do you have any tips? What role should the school play in promoting healthy eating habits? Would you be in favor of banning birthday cupcakes or limiting bake sales?
After a holiday season of non-stop sweets both in and out of school, I am now trying to tell my kids that cookies, cakes and candy are not meant to be eaten daily -- or hourly! Instead, these treats are for special occasions. Too much sugar is bad for their teeth, body and concentration, I tell my kids as they eye the vestiges of holiday feasting on the kitchen counter.
Just before the holiday break, Superintendent Susan Marks sent out a memo to parents about healthy eating. In it, she said obesity has become a “significant concern” for Norwalk students. “Data collected by the Norwalk Health Department shows that 39 percent of our students are overweight or obese, i.e., their Body Mass Index is at or above the 85th percentile,” she wrote. Yikes!
In her memo, Marks said that, from now on, holiday and school celebrations will be monitored carefully. The emphasis on birthday celebrations should be redirected from a food-focused activity to special activity or privilege, she said. “As an educational institution, our emphasis should shift from food to a focus on learning or the promotion of physical activity.”
At my niece’s preschool in Texas, sweets are prohibited at birthday celebrations. On her birthday, my sister brought in a pizza with four candles. I wonder if we are moving in that direction here in Norwalk?
Promoting healthy eating habits for kids has also been President Obama and the first lady's focus recently. Last month, the president signed a school lunch bill that aims, in part, to improve the quality of food sold in schools. While reporting on this story I learned that Connecticut has its own nutritional standards for school lunch, but that many local districts, such as Wilton, have not signed onto them because they might limit their ability to sell goodies at bake sales. Districts such as Norwalk that have agreed to the standards, have requested waivers for bake sales. However, cities across the country are curtailing bake sales. Can you imagine schools without bake sales? They go together like ... apple pie and ice cream.
How do we curb our kids' sugar consumption and encourage healthy eating habits in 2011? Do you have any tips? What role should the school play in promoting healthy eating habits? Would you be in favor of banning birthday cupcakes or limiting bake sales?
Losing School Positions Doesn't Always Mean Layoffs
Bruce Kimmel is a former member of the Norwalk Board of Education and Common Council. He's also a fourth-grade teacher in the New York City Public Schools.
There’s been a bunch of articles recently about the Norwalk Board of Education’s 2010-11 operating budget. Superintendent Marks, to her credit, has included all the major stakeholders in the budget-crafting process and has consulted with the city’s Finance Director, Tom Hamilton, regarding how much the city can afford to allocate for education in the coming fiscal year. According to the superintendent and BOE members, the budget that is being developed is lean and will probably necessitate cuts in operations and positions.
It’s important to note that reductions in positions do not generally lead to actual layoffs in a district the size of Norwalk. Retirements and normal attrition among teachers and administrators are invariably greater than the number of positions that are recommended for elimination. I was surprised a few years ago, after the BOE’s recommended spending increase was severely slashed by the Common Council and Board of Estimate, and after former Superintendent Corda predicted dire consequences for the system, that the board hired a host of new people the following September to fill vacancies.
Superintendents (as well as the press) sometimes blur the distinction between losing positions and losing people, because nobody wants anyone to lose their job. I served on the BOE from August 2005 until February 2009, and on a number of occasions I made this point for the public or for the press – causing Superintendent Corda to agree the likelihood of actual layoffs was small, at best. Not that I was keen on cutting positions; I just didn’t like the scare tactics being employed to hoodwink the public into supporting the BOE’s budget request.
Even though we are relatively early in this year’s budget cycle, I have already heard rumblings about layoffs. I, too, do not want anyone to be laid off, except, of course, for incompetence or a refusal to buckle down and work effectively. Based on the present budget discussion and the economy, it seems fairly certain that some positions – not people – will indeed be cut.
What generally happens is that personnel whose positions are eliminated move into vacancies caused by retirements and attrition. Administrators are occasionally bumped into much lower paying jobs. But I believe our administrative contracts have provisions that protect them from sudden steep decreases in salary that are budget-related.
Nobody likes to consolidate or eliminate positions. But let’s look at it from another perspective: Is there hard statistical evidence – not the kind that’s based on a mishmash of anecdotal data about something that might have worked here or there – that administrators or out-of-classroom personnel, such as numeracy or literacy “coaches,” truly influence academic achievement?
As this year’s budget discussion progresses, let’s keep two things in mind: Probably no administrator or teacher will be laid off next year because of cuts; and, if positions are eliminated, every effort should be made to ensure that student achievement, objectively measured, is not adversely affected.
There’s been a bunch of articles recently about the Norwalk Board of Education’s 2010-11 operating budget. Superintendent Marks, to her credit, has included all the major stakeholders in the budget-crafting process and has consulted with the city’s Finance Director, Tom Hamilton, regarding how much the city can afford to allocate for education in the coming fiscal year. According to the superintendent and BOE members, the budget that is being developed is lean and will probably necessitate cuts in operations and positions.
It’s important to note that reductions in positions do not generally lead to actual layoffs in a district the size of Norwalk. Retirements and normal attrition among teachers and administrators are invariably greater than the number of positions that are recommended for elimination. I was surprised a few years ago, after the BOE’s recommended spending increase was severely slashed by the Common Council and Board of Estimate, and after former Superintendent Corda predicted dire consequences for the system, that the board hired a host of new people the following September to fill vacancies.
Superintendents (as well as the press) sometimes blur the distinction between losing positions and losing people, because nobody wants anyone to lose their job. I served on the BOE from August 2005 until February 2009, and on a number of occasions I made this point for the public or for the press – causing Superintendent Corda to agree the likelihood of actual layoffs was small, at best. Not that I was keen on cutting positions; I just didn’t like the scare tactics being employed to hoodwink the public into supporting the BOE’s budget request.
Even though we are relatively early in this year’s budget cycle, I have already heard rumblings about layoffs. I, too, do not want anyone to be laid off, except, of course, for incompetence or a refusal to buckle down and work effectively. Based on the present budget discussion and the economy, it seems fairly certain that some positions – not people – will indeed be cut.
What generally happens is that personnel whose positions are eliminated move into vacancies caused by retirements and attrition. Administrators are occasionally bumped into much lower paying jobs. But I believe our administrative contracts have provisions that protect them from sudden steep decreases in salary that are budget-related.
Nobody likes to consolidate or eliminate positions. But let’s look at it from another perspective: Is there hard statistical evidence – not the kind that’s based on a mishmash of anecdotal data about something that might have worked here or there – that administrators or out-of-classroom personnel, such as numeracy or literacy “coaches,” truly influence academic achievement?
As this year’s budget discussion progresses, let’s keep two things in mind: Probably no administrator or teacher will be laid off next year because of cuts; and, if positions are eliminated, every effort should be made to ensure that student achievement, objectively measured, is not adversely affected.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
