Telegram Editorial On State Takeover Of Southbridge Schools

EDITORIAL: A reset in Southbridge – School takeover will help Southbridge turn around its failing schools

It’s not a death sentence, except for the wrong way to run a school system. Think of it as a reset, not just for the Southbridge Public Schools but for the community as a whole.

The Southbridge Public Schools did more than fail its students; it also inadequately prepared students who represent a new generation of Southbridge’s future. This didn’t happen in isolation, however. Southbridge, a town of nearly 17,000 and which has a city form of government, failed its schools. 

State legislators Fattman, Durant weigh in on Southbridge schools takeover

By Brian Lee
Worcester Telegram

State lawmakers from the area are taking notice of a possible takeover of the Southbridge school system. State education officials have described the system as being in disarray and a candidate for receivership.

Sen. Ryan C. Fattman, R-Webster, will meet Thursday at the Statehouse with Education Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester and other members of the Baker administration to discuss the troubled district. 

Telegram Reports That “Receivership of Southbridge Schools Possible”

Brian Lee reports that “…Education Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester said a recommendation to place [Southbridge schools] in Level 5 receivership is not off the table.”

Robert Curtin, director of education data services for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, told the board “Statewide, only alternative schools, or those primarily designated for special education students, were lower than Southbridge's middle-high school.”  

Curtin will make a presentation of the District Review report at tonight's School Committee meeting.

Telegram Article Elaborates On School Committee Actions

Ken O’Brien

In an article titled Southbridge school board takes on restructuring, council criticism, Worcester Telegram reporter Brian Lee addressed recent developments in the district.

The article states, “Speaking about various issues in the highly politicized school environment here, Mrs. McLoughlin confirmed that she took part in a conference call about the proposed restructuring with two senior associate commissioners at the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. One call was before Tuesday night’s public hearing, the other was Wednesday.

“But after viewing the proposal, and verifying that it contained substance, the DESE officials told her “to proceed in any manner as the district and School Committee sees fit,” Mrs. McLoughlin said Friday.” 

Telegram Reports On Restructure Hearing

Ken O’Brien

Under the title Southbridge school reorganization plan meets resistance, Telegram reporter Brian Lee summarized tonight’s meeting on the proposed restructure at Southbridge Middle/High School.

“The School Committee hosted a well-attended public hearing Tuesday on a proposed restructuring of the 3-year-old middle-high school that would eliminate 13 administrative positions and create 12 new ones in 2015-16, including the creation of principal jobs for both programs.

“Many people expressed that the proposal was being rushed and was perhaps politically motivated to target certain existing employees.” He reported.

He then went on to summarize the comments of a number of those present. 

Telegram Opinion Piece Targets Southbridge Schools

The following article appeared in today's (January 13) Opinion section of the Worcester Telegram.

A system in turmoil

The public schools in Southbridge face more than enough challenges for any system, including a need to raise academic achievement and help many of their students find stability and direction. The last thing the town needs is instability in school administration. Unfortunately, that has been the case for years. 

Meeting in emergency session last Wednesday night, the Southbridge School Committee accepted the immediate resignation of Patricia Gardner, who had been superintendent for less than a year, and was the target of complaints from system employees over what has been called "a serious account of unprofessional behavior." 

Worcester Telegram Reports On Gardner Complaint

Today's Worcester Telegram carries an article titled Southbridge superintendent in hot water over probe of MCAS mistake by Brian Lee.

Superintendent of Schools Patricia Gardner allegedly threatened to "come after" a school employee if that person did not cooperate with the superintendent's desire to assess blame for mistakes made administering the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests last year, according to Raymond Page, a School Committee member.

As a consequence, the School Committee unanimously voted this week to authorize hiring an independent investigator to look into the allegation of "a serious account of unprofessional behavior" against the first-year superintendent. 

Article Raises More Questions About Southbridge MCAS

Ken O’Brien

Writing in today’s Worcester Telegram, Brian Lee reports that, “Last year, dozens of juniors at the [Southbridge] middle-high school were not afforded their mandated right to twice retake the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systems.”

In a piece titled 38 Southbridge students missed chance to retake MCAS, Lee posed questions to Superintendent Patricia Gardner and former Southbridge Middle High School Principal Amy Allen-Magnan.

Gardner remarked on Tuesday night that “the oversight was due to ‘a principal working in our schools’ who had signed off that everything was done properly…’.nobody was watching, but in this case, people weren't honest’.” 

How To (Try To) Silence A Critic

Ken O’Brien

The only good thing about living to be a certain age is that you learn from your mistakes.

As regards the current kerfuffle about this blog and the Chair of the Southbridge School Committee the relevant lesson was “put it in writing”.

The benefits of that lesson are illustrated by today’s Telegram article titled “Fighting tears, Southbridge official reacts to blog comments about her weight”. 

Reed Contract Still In Limbo

Ken O’Brien

An article posted tonight on the Worcester Telegram website indicates that the proposed contract between Southbridge and Robert Reed for the latter to serve as Acting Town Manager is still hung up over the issue of a town provided vehicle.

In the article titled “Car clause derails Southbridge town manager contract” Brian Lee reports, “After hitting a roadblock over use of a town-issued SUV, officials continue to negotiate with Robert T. Reed about serving as interim manager for six months, Council Chairman David S. Langevin said Friday.” 

[In another article, Brian Lee reports on the turmoil in the leadership of Southbridge Schools. See “Southbridge facing shake-up among principals”.]

Worcester Telegram: Clark Criticized Over Access Road

Ken O’Brien

In a late-posted article in today’s Worcester Telegram, Brian Lee reported on criticisms leveled at Southbridge town manager Christopher Clark.

Specifically former town council chairman Steven Lazo and local resident Dennis Martinek criticized Clark’s recent admission (at just over the one hour point in the video) that the much touted access road does not really provide access to the bulk of the property that has been promoted as the site for an industrial park.

Both Mr. Lazo and Mr. Martinek are candidates for the Southbridge town council in the upcoming June 26^th town election.

The Telegram article by Brian Lee follows.

Why Clark Won’t Reappoint Bernadone

Ken O’Brien

Several months ago town manager Christopher Clark informed Rinaldo Bernadone that he would not be reappointing him to either the Board of Health or the Liquor Licensing Board.

On Thursday, June 14, Clark went on record in the Worcester Telegram giving his reasons.

In an article titled “Southbridge town manager says he won’t reappoint health, liquor board member it is reported  “Mr. Clark said one of the basic standards for serving on a town board or committee is having an open mind and being fair.” 

Clark Considering Returning To Full-Time Cable Director

Ken O’Brien

In a little-noticed article in last Wednesday’s Worcester Telegram titled “Southbridge town manager considers full-time cable access chief” Brian Lee reports, “Town Manager Christopher Clark said recently he is considering reverting to a full-time department head for local cable access, which has had a revolving door of leadership in recent months.”

The article goes on to elaborate how, after Clark fired long-time Director Paul Zotos, the department was reorganized to consist of three part-timers earning a total of about $60,000.