The Public Deserves An Answer

Ken O’Brien

On Sunday morning we posted a column titled “More Confusion”.

In that article we reported on credible claims that students who had failed the 10^th Grade MCAS in 2013 had in fact been retested. If true, such claims directly contradict the announcement made at Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting by the District’s Superintendent.

In addition we reported on rumors that the consultant’s contract with former schools’ Superintendent, Basan Nembirkow, had been terminated. 

More Confusion

Ken O’Brien

Despite Tuesday night’s announcement by Superintendent Gardner and yesterday’s article in The Worcester Telegram by Brian Lee, The O’Zone has received indications that MCAS retests were given.

The exchange in question went as follows:

Test Did Happen September 28, 2014 at 7:49 AM

To Thank you: I agree that I am excited Ms. Dargie will be back to help the kids tomorrow - they need her! Second, I was shocked when I saw the T&G yesterday so I hopped on here to see what's been happening since I took on a new job to get away from the politics - yikes! Third, glad I forwarded myself a few important emails... They are public record anyway but the proof is out there that the tests did happen... Maybe Amy will need them for the next unfortunate law suit that takes money away from the students. 

What A Difference A Year Makes

Ken O’Brien

Last Tuesday’s meeting of the Southbridge School Committee has shattered all records for a Southbridge Cable TV production.

As I write this, it has received over 300 views. (I’m not referring to my blog post, I mean the YouTube video stats.)  Keep in mind that this is a video that runs over three hours. Also consider that the prior record holder had a little over 100 views and that the average school committee or town council video gets around 25 viewers.

Obviously there was more at issue than the presentation of the FY 2015 Budget by the Superintendent.

Blind Faith

Ken O’Brien

Milli Vanilli was an R&B pop and dance group that hailed from Germany in 1988. The group's debut album Girl You Know It's True achieved international success and earned them a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1990.  Milli Vanilli became one of the most popular pop acts in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Their success turned to infamy when the Grammy award was withdrawn after LA Times author Chuck Philips revealed that lead vocals on the record were not those of the performers billed as Milli Vanilli.

The lesson to be learned, of course, is that before you accord someone status, you should determine the degree to which it is merited. 

This is a lesson that has apparently escaped the attention of Southbridge officials in recent years.

Southbridge School Committee Vacancy: Submit Application To Your Future Subordinate

Ken O’Brien

On Tuesday October 29, there was a joint meeting of the Southbridge School Committee and the Town Council’s subcommittee on Education and Human Services.

Item number two on the agenda for that meeting was, “Discuss the process to ‘temporarily’ fill vacancy on the School Committee until the 2014 election.”

On October 30 a memorandum was released to the media that outlined the “process” that was adopted by this joint session. It reads as follows: 

Buzz Kill

Ken O’Brien

Basan “Buzz” Nembirkow

I was fascinated by School Superintendent Basan “Buzz” Nembirkow’s response to committee member Kara Donovan’s inquiry about the recent MCAS results at last night's school committee meeting.

In contrast to what has been a quiet and reserved public demeanor since becoming superintendent, it was clear to me at least that his blood pressure was a mite over the boiling point.

He promised a presentation on the MCAS results at the next School Committee meeting, indicating in no small way his dissatisfaction with them.

Sunday Photo-'Toons 1.37

Ken O'Brien

Nembirkow Named Acting Superintendent

Ken O'Brien

Basan Nembirkow has been named acting Superintendent of Southbridge schools.

Nembirkow has been an educator for more than 35 years. He previously headed the 7,500-student Chicopee Public Schools.

From 1996 to 2002, Nembirkow served as Superintendent of Schools in Greenfield, Mass. and was Assistant Superintendent in the 30,000-student Durham, NC School District from 1993 to 1996. He has also held a number of interesting educational posts around the world, among them a 12-year stint at the United Nations International School and an educational consulting post with the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Social Studies from Rowan University and a Master's Degree in Intercultural Education from Rutgers University.

Candidates For Acting School Superintendent Emerge In Southbridge

Ken O’Brien

As The O’Zone previously reported, the Southbridge school committee is considering two candidates to serve as acting superintendent pending resolution of the allegations regarding current superintendent Eric Ely.