The Public Deserves A Response

Ken O’Brien

For the second time in two weeks citizen Steve Demers appeared to speak during Citizens Forum at the Town Council Meeting of May 5.

The appearance was as a follow-up to his appearance at the meeting of April 27th, and was in response to comments made by the Town Manager at the close of that meeting.

During his comments Mr. Demers apologized to any officers who may have been offended by his earlier remarks. However, his remarks indicated his feelings that his initial comments had basically been ignored. 

Will She Still Want It Public?

Ken O’Brien

At the October 28^th meeting of the Southbridge School Committee Dr. Raymond Page read a redacted complaint by school personnel against Superintendent Patricia Gardner.

That reading of the complaint followed the vote to enter executive session and a request by the Superintendent that the executive session be conducted in public.

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. 

Complaint Against Southbridge School Superintendent

Southbridge School Committee Attends OML Class - Learns Nothing

Ken O’Brien

The newly constituted leadership of the Southbridge School Committee continues its pattern of setting a poor example for the youth in their charge.

In this installment of the ongoing soap opera “As The District Burns” we examine the lesson provided on paying attention in class.

Specifically we will illustrate how what one supposedly gains by attending a specialized training is useless if you cannot apply it in “real life”.