From Linda Conner Lambeck, CT Post:
The district’s state-appointed school board won’t hire a search firm to find a new school superintendent until the state Supreme Court decides if the law used to create the new board was constitutional and properly used.
Read more: www.ctpost.com/local/article/School-board-holding-off-on-superintendent-search-2291488.php
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As the lead plaintiff in Walsh vs. The State of Connecticut, I say to Brantley & Brannelly you can step down from the council and run for the Board of Ed when the state rules against the current board.
Otherwise, you can keep your mouths shut (which both of them did during the entire BOE fight) and try doing a better job tending to city business.
Both of the Council members should have loudly spoken up when the BOE gave Ramos those concessions. Instead they stood silently by–and they will again when the NEXT superintendent has his/her wishes granted in a contract.
Come on man, you both know they never did and never will speak out.
I read the comments by Brantley and Brannelly, pure and simple they are both full of it. Look, Brantley would not be on the council now if Bob Walsh had sought reelection. Brannelly is always a day late and a dollar short. The comments by Brannelly are not surprising, this is the same person who thought the city did a marvelous job of plowing this year and though they did a good job filling potholes.
The writing is on the wall as to who will be the next acting head of the BOE. I just read comments by Telfry in this article, it says it all for me.
“Trefry insisted that no one is waiting in the wings to be appointed as interim superintendent.” That really means it will be John Fabrizi. Telfry stated he consulted with the mayor and I then go back to that sickening nomination speech made by Fabrizi for his former enemy Finch. Watch!!!
tc, Fabs told me he’s not positioning for school chief whether in a permanent or acting capacity. He says he will accept neither if offered.
TIME WILL TELL.
Do you really think so, tc? And what will time tell us in this case??? Guess we have to wait a bit longer.
Well Beacon, if I had a crystal ball you would not have to wait. I base my opinion on what I have seen in the past. I base my opinion on the fact John Fabrizi hated Finch and never said a good word about him. I base it on the nominating speech I heard at Testa’s that was made by Fabrizi.
Whatever the merits of a Fabrizi appointment, politically it is a non-starter in Bridgeport and in Hartford.
Lennie, I hear you, but … The new BOE will say, John, your City needs you in this time of crisis for our 20,000 Bridgeport school students, we feel you are the best person to help us through this crisis. John Fabrizi will then say, okay.
Come on, Lennie. Quit being a shill for the Fabulous one.
The bogus BOE WILL NOT sign a contract with a search firm for a permanent Superintendent. They are probably worried the BOE might be sued when a new board steps in and voids the contract.
But they have NO PROBLEM promoting an existing staff member to temporary Super because even when they are replaced, if a new board decides to throw Fabs overboard he goes right back to his old job, no loss of pay, no loss of bennies, no loss of seniority. No grounds for a lawsuit.
But just think of the beauty of the possibility of Johnie Fabs standing (and sweating might I add) before former councilman Walsh and now BOE member begging to be retained as acting Superintendent. Only In Bridgeport.
Troll, why would the state-appointed BOE want Fabs in an acting capacity?
1) Trefry has a relationship with Fabs and Finch going back to the BRBC.
2) Trefry and the state BOE are already acting like their days are numbered.
3) Who would be more malleable than the Fabulous one if he had to stick around for some time and do other people’s bidding?
4) No ties to Ramos.
Just to name a few reasons.
From a P/R point of view, even if the appointment of John Fabrizi were made and it was pure politics, the outcry from parents and anti-Finch/Fabrizi would be deafening. That said, I believe John Fabrizi would make a very competent Superintendent of schools. He has been the Mayor and a teacher for over 20 years. I think he is more than qualified. Look, I know there are Fabrizi haters out there. I am not one of them and would repeat it is to his benefit not to accept the position. From a P/R point of view, he would relive the nightmare that cost him the ability to run for mayor four years ago. I think he has grown wiser as time goes by. But let me be clear, to the chagrin of all the anti-Fabrizi voices out there. I believe Mayor Fabrizi is more than qualified to take the position. He is a Bridgeporter, Salcedo and Ramos cost the city megabucks.
Steve, when was the last time Fabrizi was in a classroom for any length of time? The people did not want him back as mayor because of his past sins. I probably would have voted for him in a primary MINUS MJF.
Because of those past sins do you think people would want him in charge of 20,000-plus students?
BTW just because a person like me would not want to see Fabrizi as an acting Supt does not mean I hate him, in fact I somewhat like the guy.
There is another fact, where has he received the educational experience to run the school system? And please don’t tell me about night school.
I can’t argue this point with you because I am not fighting for his position. I was just stating my belief. This is not my battle. My battle right now is I need to lose 25 pounds and I am on my way to the gym. lololol … Chat soon. Oh yeah I do have one last thought for you, tc, on behalf of John Fabrizi. He was the manager of the largest city in the state of Connecticut. He has been a teacher, whether night school or kindergarten it doesn’t matter. Point is he is more than qualified to take the helm. That of course is my opinion. He has management skills, that is all he needs. His knowledge of the school system is just icing on the cake. When dealing with a failing school system you need to look at other alternatives. I do not think I would be so quick to dismiss Mayor Fabrizi in support of another person with Salcedo’s and Ramos’ qualifications. They both failed and made out very well for their failures.
Steve, not to belabor the point but just because Fabrizi was a school teacher does not mean he would be a good SUPT.
Point well taken. On the other hand, seriously, do you think he would be less productive than the losers who have been there before him?
Thank you Linda Connor Lambeck for covering this story and providing facts and opinions.
Remember folks, the story that was not covered with the Mayor in Hartford planning the tactics that would take us to where we are today, waiting for the State Supreme Court to provide their opinion on the Bridgeport BOE “mass suicide” in order to allow a new and untested State law to provide direction. (We understand in Bridgeport you can follow the “letter of the law” or interpret the “spirit of the law,” whichever fits your preordained plan, or if nothing works, just “do it” and hope not too many people wake up.
As for Council persons Brantley and Brannelly, before sending them to the woodshed for punishment for their statements, don’t you want to give them some points for speaking out on fiscal matters of wasted dollars? I am willing to do that since such behavior occurs so rarely at Council meetings or Budget and Appropriations meetings.
Don’t you wonder whether Tom McCarthy as Council leader was asked for a comment and demurred? Or B & A chairpersons Curwen or DePara, were they asked but had no comment on financial matters at this time?
And I like John Fabrizi, too, and think he has been a great mouthpiece for City advancement. However, if the Superintendent’s responsibility is to dynamically shape educational reform in Bridgeport even for a few months, what educational experience on John Fabrizi’s resume makes him a serious candidate for getting our school system out of the basement it has settled into for the past ten years??? And just what do parents and high school students, checking out history and facts on their computers, going to understand about use of drugs excused because of an alcohol problem? Happy Mr. Trefry has consulted all of the “stakeholders” including the politicians? Where are the “heavyweights” heading us on this one? The parents of twenty thousand kids want to know, don’t you, too? Time will tell.
Hold off, folks!
As for Council persons Brantley and Brannelly, they’re still drinking the Kool-Aid.
With regard to the Bridgeport School system, I know it is a done deal but an individual such as Mr. Ramos, the former Superintendent of schools, as nice of a man he was, he failed. He failed miserably thousands of students who have come and gone over the past few years. It will be hard to tell how much damage has been done under his leadership. He should have been fired instead of resigning with a healthy package in an economy where individuals are losing everything they have worked their whole life for.
That being said, it is a done deal. Reward for a job done poorly. Benefits for years while the average Bridgeporter learns to live without benefits for their family and children. Let’s discuss the real issues. This afternoon on my way home I drove by Harding High School. This is the real reason for this letter. Harding High School was identified as one of the worst performing high schools in the area. The principal was let go and a group came in to revamp and wave the magic wand to help bring that school to a higher level.
You would think with the high caliber of individuals coming into that school at a nice price there would be basic improvements like cleaning the garbage around the school. You would think not only the former Superintendent but the new principal and associate principals, students and families would have gone on a team-building expedition to increase pride in the school and neighborhood. The entire property lining Central Avenue around their otherwise beautiful athletic field is completely littered and fenced in with garbage for the entire stretch of the school. This is a disgrace. This not only sets the tone for the students but also shows the lack of self esteem of the school teachers and students, parents and neighbors surrounding the school. I do not blame the Mayor but would question the local council members of that district.
Setting the tone of the school would be the first step in improving conditions at Harding. Getting the community and students involved would improve not only neighborhood relations but teach the students about team building and improve their social skills. The students and teachers deserve to work in an environment that is clean. The neighbors should not have to look at garbage seven days a week every week year after year. That garbage lining Central Avenue on the Harding School property is just plain unacceptable and yes it does affect on a subconscious level anyone interested in developing any part of that neighborhood. In just a short while the General Electric property could be just one development affected by this.
I would suggest, for the sake of our students, teachers and neighborhoods, this school address this opportunity to make a huge impact in the neighborhood. Partner up with a Home Depot. Plant gardens and improve the quality of life for all of the residents and students.
There are many problems with our schools that need to be addressed. The school system in Bridgeport is key to our future economic development. Cleaning the garbage and improving self esteem is a quick fix. Just do it and get it done.
Steven L. Auerbach
Bridgeport CT
Fabs, first item on his agenda would be “How to use cocaine and not get caught.” Second item, “How NOT to defend a sexual predator in court.”
City is a State joke!
When Brantley and Brannelly had to vote on all of the severance packages Finch put before the council, did they vote against them? NO!!!
They joined the chorus of voices and said the city had to move forward. They are both hypocrites. They are just running their mouths on matters they have no say over but just do what they are told when a matter comes before the council.
Trefry worries me. Too close to the bogus BRBC a la Timpanelli. There is too much goombah commerce going on in the BOE for these people to allow the applecart to be tipped. Not saying the practice is corrupt because I have no direct knowledge of anything of the sort. My contention is every single dollar the city spends on educational services and supplies should be put out to competitive bid with complete transparency. Costs would go down exponentially if competitive bids were mandated.
I cannot be comfortable with Trefry if he is even remotely connected to the bogus BRBC.
As we consider allowing the Calamarians to remain in control of BOE spending these facts may be alarming.
1. Nearly a 70% dropout rate.
2. 83% of our students do not meet minimum standards for math.
3. 96% of our students do not meet minimum standards in verbal communication.
Since education could amount to 45% of our city budget, let us all think deeply about the cost benefit of this expense.
Now, will someone tell me why it would be beneficial to appoint Fabrizi to a position that must solve this issue?
yahooy, you made some great points and have spelled out what the problem is and why nothing will change. Follow the Money, this “Merry-Go-Round” will not stop going around unless something corrupt is found or a NEW mayor gets into office and they are forced to make changes.