Frustrated School Chief Rabinowitz Calls It Quits, So Does McSpirit

Fran Rabinowitz
Fran Rabinowitz

Know what they say, if you can’t stand the heat get out of the school kitchen. That’s what school chief Fran Rabinowitz is doing effective December 30. In a scathing resignation letter critical of school board member Maria Pereira she declares “I can no longer allow my energies to be diminished or focused on fulfilling mandates from Maria Pereira that detract from the focus on what’s best for our children.” Hmmm, one person, among nine board members, has this kind of impact? The power of Pereira. Meanwhile, Republican school board member Kevin McSpirit has also resigned, in a letter to the board and school chief.

School board Chair Dennis Bradley issued this response regarding Rabinowitz:

“A very sad day for our district and city. When will the good people stand up and speak up about the lack of respect, love, professionalism and understanding that has plague this board for far too long. We cannot allow one person to trump all of our students, parents, teachers, administrators, and board members.”

McSpirit, last week, also issued his resignation from the board in an email. “To the Board Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Superintendent. I hereby resign from the Bridgeport Board of Education with immediate effect.”

So now the search is on for another board replacement, the third in two months.

Rabinowitz resignation letter:

Since March of 2014, I have been honored and privileged to serve as Interim Superintendent of the Bridgeport Public Schools. This period of time has been an incredible experience of shared passion, commitment, love of children and the City of Bridgeport.

Together, the Board of Education, teachers. administrators and parents have accomplished a great deal in this time. We have found new and more effective ways through the RULER Program to hold our children’s social and emotional needs and development as paramount in their educational experience. We have worked hard to establish a culture that values and fosters the worth of every person and champions belief in self, kindness and caring for others.

I am proud of our work to raise the achievement level of all of our students. We have accomplished significant growth in literacy, mathematics and science across this system. We are certainly not anywhere near where we can be but it is a promising start. I believe in the talents and commitment of our staff, parents and the community to settle for nothing less than success for every child.

I had intended to further these efforts and assist the Board in the selection of a new superintendent with the goal of having Bridgeport Public Schools becoming a model urban district. But this has become impossible for me. I think many of you already know why and, if not  I will do my best to explain because each of you deserves an explanation.

Sadly, one Board member, Maria Pereira has been relentless in her negative crusade to undermine and discredit much of what we have built for children in this school district. She has been blatant in not supporting the RULER program. focused on the social and emotional well-being of students.

She has torn apart this Board in a way that is incredibly detrimental to the children of Bridgeport. And most importantly, I cannot stand by and condone her undermining the basic safety of the children in our care through her advocacy for removal of School Resource Officers (SROs), having young children walk one and a half miles to and from school and elimination of after school programs, which keep our children safe. She has created anarchy in the name of democracy resulting in failed governance on the part of the Bridgeport Board of Education.

The Coalition for Justice and Equity of Funding (CJEF) decision was a step in the right direction for the children of Bridgeport and I am very proud to have been port of this lawsuit for our children. The decision also spurred me on to work for the children of Bridgeport and Connecticut in the best way possible. I can no longer allow my energies to be diminished or focused on fulfilling mandates from Maria Pereira that detract from the focus on what’s best for our children. I will not stand by and watch a Board being pulled apart and staff, parents and community members being belittled and harassed–through e-malls, slurs, bullying and intimidating behavior that even by Board policy would be considered unacceptable for our very own students. I believe I can do more for all of you by seeking other professional opportunities to work on your behalf; therefore, I will resign my position effective December 30, 2016. I will continue to work for the children of Bridgeport as Interim Superintendent until then and will do my best during that time to ensure an effective transition.

However, please know that my heart remains with the Bridgeport school community, and I hope to be able in some way to continue to be helpful to the many people of goodwill here who want the best for the children of Bridgeport.

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47 comments

  1. I would like to thank Ms. Rabinowitz for her 2-1/2 years of service as interim-superintendent. In December, we will have reached the five-year mark of interim-superintendents, which is not in the best interest of our over 21,000 students. I will focus my energy on finding a permanent superintendent with a record of success in an urban school district because our children deserve no less.

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    1. Thank You and the other three board members whose continued call for an evaluation of Ms. Rabinowitz and a permanent replacement. Now maybe that ‘this divisive issue’ is moot it strikes a few contentious issues off the agenda for the next meeting. Now on to the search!

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  2. Now will the Board’s employees kindly return to committee meetings now that their chief obstructionist is gone? The board needs these data and reports in order to effectively govern. Perhaps now the Board could come together and search for a new effective superintendent who does not sweep problems under the rug. (Speaking from personal experience). Perhaps if Ms. Rabinowitz would have charted her feelings on RULERS mood meter every day she could have worked with the FOUR members of the board seeking a permanent superintendent.

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    1. You sir are ill-informed. The chief obstructionist here is Maria Pereira and her merry band of do-nothing idiots. You write on here the Supt. is at fault, and you know this how?

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      1. Personal first-hand experience where the Supt swept issues under the rug. Allowed staff to violate board policy at my son’s school. Refusal to enforce board policy at the school level.

        First-hand knowledge by attending many board meetings and committee meetings.

        You know Rabinowitz was competent how? Newspapers? How did you form this opinion? Did you base it on our schools’ excellent math and reading scores?

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  3. It is so sad to see the Superintendent had to resign. Having lived in Bridgeport for 40-plus years I have seen my fair share of inequalities and neglect in this city when it comes to education. Every other town has their education system on a pedestal. Why don’t we? We definitely need some people on the Education Department up in the Capitol who will make something happen. Reality is the state is being run by the suburbs. We need people from our own backyard.

    This superintendent has the heart for the children. I won’t pick sides, because I believe everyone on the board has God-given potential, I believe everyone on the board has unique talents that can benefit all our kids. I wish they would just put their differences aside and work for what they were elected to do, which is work for our children. They all have part of the blame whether they see it or not. We are in a critical time where our city is plagued with such violence, hatred and anger. The BOE should be the total opposite. The BOE should be a place where parents and students come to hear the positive.

    Come on BOE, let’s get together and make a change for the better. It’s okay to disagree, you are all different and with different minds. It’s not okay to take up time from meetings to argue and get nothing done because the arguing is like a revolving door.

    You were all elected someway somehow because of what you have to offer. Start new, start fresh, with clear minds and same goals = OUR KIDS. We’re Bridgeport, and we can achieve the impossible.

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  4. Considering Rabinowitz was hired as an INTERIM Superintendent, her decision to resign is a good decision and will force Bridgeport school parents to get more involved in the education of their children. The Bridgeport system needs a Superintendent who is attuned and has a proven record in urban education. That is a huge challenge. On a side note, I do have to say I am concerned and frankly disagree with the decision to remove the SRO’s and the school busing decision (children within 1-1/2 miles will need to walk). In fact, I think the busing decision is a terrible idea and needs to be scrapped NOW. If the Bridgeport BOE cannot get its act together, it may be time to consider The State of Connecticut to takeover the school systems of BRIDGEPORT, HARTFORD AND NEW HAVEN.

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    1. Frank, we were faced with a $15 million dollar deficit thanks to the state of CT, Mayor Ganim and the City Council.

      Rabinowitz eliminated 50% of the SROs from March 2014 through June 2015 leaving us with five SROs for 37 schools, 21,000 students and 3,000 employees. Two of those SROs were performing ZERO SRO duties because one was sitting at the front desk checking in visitors and the other is the NAGE President and focused on his union responsibilities. That left three SROs for 37 schools and then even then they were directed to take BPD calls for charter schools, car accidents, domestic violence calls, etc.

      These five SROs cost the BOE $500,000 per year NOT including overtime. We made it clear if the City of Bridgeport gave us the $500,000 to fund them we would keep them, or they could make them city employees and fund them on the city side. This motion passed 6 to 2.

      New Haven has transported elementary/middle school children at 1.5 miles for years. We will save $1.6 million which will be used to bring back a majority of the kindergarten paraprofessionals who were laid off. There are up to 25 kindergartners in classrooms 6.5 hours per day with one teacher with no help.

      This motion was made by Kevin McSpirit and passed UNANIMOUSLY.

      None of these choices are good choices, but we had to address a $15 million dollar deficit.

      People should be upset, but they should start with the state of CT, Mayor Ganim and the City Council.

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      1. Maria Pereira, THANK YOU for the response and thank you for the number-crunching the BOE was faced with. Due to the lack of concern from Mayor Joe Ganim and the complete indifference from the City Council, the BOE was put into a lousy position and any and all decisions can only be BAD decisions–WHOMEVER MAKES THEM. Unfortunately, the people of Bridgeport remain indifferent to the CRISIS that is building in this city and protests that ONLY concern property taxes will be ineffectual. All in all, we are all in a terrible situation. Hopefully, if there is any good to come out of all of this, is that people in Bridgeport will get more involved in all levels of the Quality of Life. Maria Pereira, you started a little bit of the “revolution” in your DTC district as well as your campaign for State Rep. We need this “revolution” to continue throughout the rest of Bridgeport. Good Luck and Godspeed to ALL of us.

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  5. And GOOD RIDDANCE to Kevin McSpirit. Obviously, he was not up to the task of being on the School Board. However, being on the school board is an onerous task involving long hours and sincere dedication. Considering the turmoil over the years and the inability of locally elected School Board members to effectively take care of schoolchildren (and this goes back decades), it may be time for everyone to step back one bit, analyze and think, what is the best thing that need to be done going forward?

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  6. Without even trying to assess the performance of Ms. Rabinowitz, I am pleased to see she has decided to move on although I am not sure what “I believe I can do more for all of you by seeking other professional opportunities to work on your behalf” is supposed to mean.
    It is time to get the process moving on finding a qualified, professional permanent Superintendent with the necessary skill set to make meaningful and significant improvements in the Bridgeport School System.

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    1. Well, there are two positions open for superintendent in a shortage area that may allow Rabinowitz to double dip for years to come. I’m betting on New Haven or heading up some sort of charter school alliance.

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      1. The odds are New Haven will be bringing back their former Superintendent (to double dip) as the interim Superintendent while they search for a replacement.

        I lived in New Haven for 34 years, then Hamden for 16 years before moving to this area. The pols in New Haven know how Rabinowitz ran the Hamden Schools and she is not a prime candidate to run New Haven, even on an interim basis.
        New Haven’s BOE is even more under the Mayor’s thumb than Bridgeport. Mayor Harp made herself chairman of the New Haven BOE, talk about a conflict of interest. The newly ousted New Haven Superintendent will be replaced by a minority. The previous superintendent was African American and his succession by a white male was resented by many in the community (and voiced publicly).

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  7. Just wondering, does her resignation mean the Board of Education does not have to pay her for the remainder of her contract or was this a negotiated resignation? I for one think she should not get a dime after double-dipping for almost three years.

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    1. What double-dipping? She retired from her teaching job and then went to work in another school district. She then came back to BPT and took the Acting SUPT job.
      Are you saying city or BOE people once they retire should stay out of the work force?

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      1. Double dipping. Receiving a full pension and a full paycheck from the same system. Special exceptions have been made for Rabinowitz to receive two paychecks at taxpayer expense for the last 2.5 years and counting.

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        1. Joseph, fire chief Rooney and police chief Gaudett were both allowed to retire, get their pensions and then sign contracts that paid them another $125,000 a year. Double-dipping is city policy.

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          1. Respectfully Mr. Day, your reply brings to mind one of my biggest pet peeves. When confronted with something being done wrong out comes the answer “this is the way it’s always been done.” My response is always “well you have been doing it wrong all these years now let’s do it right.” Or “no, that’s the way you’re been allowed to always do it without consequence.” Bridgeport voters? Hello? It’s time for consequences.

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          1. How, by ignoring parents with legitimate concerns? By protecting staff over children? Please enlighten me, sir.

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  8. With all this chaos on the board I wonder how long the mayor will wait before he acts and sends the remaining board member to Harassment, Diversity and Sensitivity Training.

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    1. Joe Ganim has not helped the situation. First of all, it was his decision to flatline and essentially force cuts in the BOE budget. WE have an indifferent City Council that can try to move some extra funds to the schools but the CC awaits direction from Mario Testa. Ganim does not care one bit about the schools. Ganim has also worsened the situation with his legally dubious appointments to the BOE.

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    2. The Mayor has no say with the BOE. The BOE members are elected representatives of the community. The BOE presents their budget to the Mayor, the Mayor presents the city budget as a whole to the council.

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      1. The mayor wouldn’t have any say over the BOE if the Common Council were strong. The mayor presented a budget that flat-funded BPS. The council (not so smart people) approved the budget. The mayor in essence controlled the purse strings.

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  9. To those of you who are saying you’re happy Ms. Rabinowitz is leaving, just wait. The real arguments start now, her replacement. The animosity existing now will continue without a doubt, Mr. Bradley and his supporters will want one person, and Ms. Pereira and her supporters will argue for their choice. Factor in the time the search will take etc., this will leave us with chaos, with the bickering, lawsuits and bad feelings festering. It’s a sad day for our kids.

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    1. It’s puzzling me that people forget her title is INTERIM Superintendent. She was going to have to go at some point anyway. Since she has failed to follow board directives, allowed the special education services to further disintegrate, and double-dip, it’s time for her to go. Maybe, just maybe, Dennis Bradley will follow suit.

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  10. Harvey: That’s democracy. I wouldn’t be so pessimistic. The board met last night with no blood drawn. Maybe when the dust settles after the “strike” situation, the learning experience and distillation of the new board composition will lead to a situation of reasonable, student-focused thinking and behavior by a reconstituted BBOE.

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      1. Harvey, I’m going with team Jeff on this one. It’s too bad it had to get this far, but it had to get this far to stop the craziness. The real culprits are Testa and Ganim. They created a monster in Bradley and then they lost control of him (thus the boycott). Ganim had to find a way to break it so he swore in Fonseca who agreed not to join the boycott, since Bradley wasn’t moving. What surprises me is Kevin M. and Joe L., two Republicans went as far as they did with Bradley. Why? The future of Negron and Fonseca rests with the court decision. Depending on which way that goes, we can possibly have three seats to fill. Bradley’s a straw man now, so that’s why I feel Jeff is right on this one.

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        1. Lisa Parziale, I believe that pretty much sums it up. But I’m a little skeptical, there are more players in this. I just can’t figure out whom yet.

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          1. Gary, if I weren’t there when Testa began the plot, I might agree with you. I know the way these guys think. For five administrations I was privy to their ways. This was completely unnecessary, it was simple a case of Mario feeling the need to flex his perceived muscles after being in the desert for eight years. Ganim’s head hadn’t even cleared from his win so he wasn’t caring what Testa did. I remember that evening so well, Ganim, with Testa on his heels, and every member hired at that point were told to follow the two little guys. It was a sight to laugh at, then with no shame they followed up on their plan to make Bradley Chair. The rest is history. Fran R. was in on every move to circumvent Maria and the other three commissioners. She stirred that pot like the devil incarnate. To answer your question, no I don’t believe anyone else in that administration had anything to do with what has ultimately occurred. I applaud whomever finally advised and convinced Ganim to take the action he did; I know he didn’t think of that on his own.

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  11. Look, Fran Rabinowitz sees her little empire is crumbling down. She sees Mr. Bradley and his puppets are fractured and soon to be broken. She can’t handle being accountable to the whole board. Being questioned on her plans and/or actions. With Mr. Bradley sitting on his self-proclaimed throne she had it made because he didn’t have a clue and it was easy for him to just let her do whatever she wanted.

    Her letter of resignation is pitiful.

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  12. To let one person’s actions and words trigger your resignation from a school district you are supposedly committed to is pretty thin-skinned. I don’t necessarily think Rabinowitz was a bad Superintendent, albeit Interim, I would just think with her seasoning and experience, she would have a better handle on who she is as a professional. I likely would have thought the resignation was due to a combination of things and a focus on her own quality of life, if she had not editorially stated it was because of Maria Pereira. Better to go on record just moving on because it was time. Her statements to the press promote a perception of weakness.

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