What was advertised as a short-term interim basis replacing school chief Paul Vallas one year ago now appears to be at least a three-year gig for Fran Rabinowitz leading city schools. Monday night the Board of Education voted 7-2 to extend her contract until July 2017. She had been a finalist for appointment as Connecticut’s Commissioner of Education.
Last month the school board approved a one-year extension for the interim chief. Monday night they approved another year. So it appears there’s no rush to select a permanent chief, and who knows the way these extensions are going, perhaps it will be Rabinowitz herself.
Statement from Mayor Bill Finch:
“I have two kids who currently attend Bridgeport public schools, and I couldn’t be happier to have Fran Rabinowitz remain as the Superintendent of Schools in the state’s largest city. She’s committed to helping our city achieve universal pre-k for kids, ensuring our kids are learning in the right environment through new school construction, and that kids are learning important life lessons outside of the classroom through high-quality after school programs. All of these measures are helping to make sure that our kids are prepared to one day compete for 21st century jobs. Fran Rabinowitz is helping Bridgeport get better every day. We’re glad she’s staying.”
More from Linda Conner Lambeck, CT Post here.
Fran Rabinowitz will not be here through July 2017. The four BBOE members who are up for re-election will not be here as of December 2015.
No community forums or focus groups were held to receive input from the community. Fran cut a deal with Mayor Finch, Dishonest Dave, Kenneth Moales, Joe Larcheveque, etc. that she would play nice and in turn she would receive these contract extensions. If Fran wants to play politics, she has to take what comes with it.
Maria, what is your plan for improving education for Bridgeport kids? You have a lot of negatives so what would you do if you were in charge.
This is great news for Bridgeport! But it is a loss to the state. Hopefully she will be here long past 2017. Congratulations, Fran!
Fran will absolutely not be here past June 2016. In fact, I will be shocked if she even makes it to that date.
I know Andy, because you exemplify nothing but positivity???
I have quite a few initiatives I would implement and none of them include the likes of Fran Rabinowitz.
These initiatives are based on proven methods that are supported with research and a variety of studies, especially at the high school level.
By the way, how does someone get a two-year extension on their contract when they haven’t even been evaluated on their first full year as an interim superintendent?
I am so looking forward to this year’s elections. I honestly don’t believe Mayor Finch can win, and I know I am going to do everything in my power to contribute to his defeat.
Maria, talk is cheap. You had a chance to make changes and did not. I hope Fran R stays for a good long while as the record of the BOE in hiring a superintendent is horrible.
Andy, I agree that “talk is cheap,” however that appears to be all you do. The vast majority of those active in Bridgeport politics know I do much more than just “talk.” The TC elections in the 138th serve as proof I just don’t “talk.” I am glad you have “hope.” Hope doesn’t necessarily translate into results.
I spent 16 hours in Hartford on Thursday waiting to testify in support of a moratorium on charter schools. I also organized 12 other Bridgeport parents, community activists and elected officials to travel to Hartford to offer testimony as well. That is certainly much more than just “talk.”
Maria, you do wonders and shit cucumbers. The TC elections, yes I remember them. You are being investigated for illegal things you did at the polls. I do have hope, what results can you point to? Maria, again I will ask what have you accomplished in the time you were on the BOE and the time you were teamed up with Judge Lopez. is it true she no longer wants anything to do with you? Maria, while you are in the 138th you are still a carpetbagger with no roots here.
Andy, I accomplished more in the six years I have been actively involved in this community than you have done in your lifetime. And I have done it for free. I have never received a dime in compensation as a BBOE member, for the advocacy work I do, or for a single campaign I have worked on.
Judge Lopez certainly isn’t confiding in you, so why don’t you focus on our exchange without trying to draw others into our debate.
I was born and raised in Bridgeport, therefore I am not a carpetbagger. I am well respected in this neighborhood. It appears that really bothers you. Oh well.
Maria, you are a carpetbagger in this neighborhood, you are not a permanent resident here. Outside of a few old ladies in Nob Hill you don’t have as many friends here as you think.
You don’t like me bringing up Judge Lopez? Too bad. When you were teamed with her you could not stop talking about it.
Maria, you don’t know what I have done in this community but I can assure you it got things done. The only thing you have done is become an inoperable hemorrhoid. I keep asking you what you have accomplished and you never answer.
According to your logic, anyone not born and brought home from the hospital to a residence in our neighborhood is a “carpetbagger.” Your interpretation of a “carpetbagger” is flawed.
Judge Lopez has nothing to do with our exchange, and I have rarely posted about Judge Lopez here, or anywhere else for that matter.
I don’t owe you any answers, Andy. Most people on this blog already know you just like to mouth off, however you don’t do any heavy lifting.
You see Maria, your statement “According to your logic, anyone not born and brought home from the hospital to a residence in our neighborhood is a “carpetbagger.” You see Maria, I am probably the only one still in the neighborhood who was born here as the houses were being built and the roads were dirt covered. Maria, you are a carpetbagger because you have no investment in this neighborhood. You own nothing here and could leave TOMORROW. Maria, you have no idea what heavy lifting is.
Andy, I will make sure I let every resident in our neighborhood who was not born into the neighborhood, know they are a “carpetbagger.” After all, your definition would only apply to about 95% of the residents in our neighborhood.
Maria, again you twist facts to suit your purpose. You see, all the people who invested in the neighborhood by buying houses and living in the neighborhood are NOT carpetbaggers. Maria, it’s people like you who have not invested in the neighborhood who are carpetbaggers. BTW I don’t give a damn who you lie to.
:outsider; especially :a nonresident or new resident who seeks private gain from an area often by meddling in its business or politics
— car·pet·bag·gery \-ˌba-g(ə-)rē\ noun
Maria,
Seems like carpetbagger defines you well.A new resident to the 138th, meddling in politics.
You are a loud mouth with too much time on your hands.
Really invest in Bridgeport. Put your money where your mouth is. Pay some taxes here. Buy a house, pay some real estate taxes. Get a job, pay some income tax.
What the heck, if I am a “loud mouth” you are a “coward.” Until you utilize your real name and stop hiding behind a handle, I will not respond to you.
Not because I can’t take criticism, but because I know it will irritate, agitate and aggravate you. 🙂