Superintendent of Schools Michael Testani writes, in a commentary that also appears in the Connecticut Post, “the Welcome Back Bridgeport Plan is proof positive that Bridgeport Public Schools is taking proactive measures to reopen in the fall to serve students, staff, faculty and parents …”
From Testani:
An op-ed recently appeared in the Connecticut Post written by Tressa Pankovits regarding Bridgeport Public Schools’ delivery of educational services through a distance learning model during the last three months of the ’19-’20 school year. Her feeling was that, given the already adverse circumstances caused by distance learning forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased effort should be taken to bridge students through the summer into the ’20-’21 school year. In addition, she addresses the BPS fall reopening plan and her belief that the district is not adequately prepared for it. She also questions the degree of professional development provided to teachers to operate in a distance learning environment.
BPS agrees that remedial efforts are crucial to assisting students to bridge the summer gap so that they retain what they learned in the last school year and remain motivated for the coming one. To that end, BPS has held a virtual early learning program for identified students in grades K-2 and a district-wide virtual extended school year (ESY) program for special education students. In addition, a virtual credit recovery program was also provided for high school students.
With respect to the opinions put forth by Ms. Pankovits concerning the district’s lack of preparedness in planning for the fall reopening, on July 24, BPS submitted a detailed, 45-page, reopening plan to the state Department of Education entitled “Welcome Back Bridgeport.” This plan was developed over the past six weeks through the work of a 35-member reopening task force comprised of teachers, school administrators, parents, Board of Education members and high-ranking members of the city’s administration. A public presentation of the plan was given at a special Board of Education meeting on July 23.
The plan provides for three reopening scenarios: 1. all in-person learning; 2. all distance learning; and 3. a hybrid of in-person and distance learning. It is detailed and nimble enough to be effective no matter what the future holds. It addresses all areas affecting students and teachers, including student and staff safety, development of appropriate educational opportunities and awareness of social and emotional well-being, as well as a plan to assess growth and achievement by June 2021.
Finally, her expressed concern for the professional development and preparedness of the faculty and staff is shared by us, as well. In fact, the Welcome Back Bridgeport Plan provides for robust ongoing professional development of faculty and staff, building on professional development initiatives which occurred during the period of forced distance learning. Under this plan, any of the reopening scenarios can be implemented with an equal degree of success.
Having said this, we would like to note that, while she clearly has a passion for the subject of public education, Ms. Pankovits’ professional expertise lies in other areas. She is co-founder of the Chicago-based Vallas Group, Inc., which is a consulting firm with experience in providing public administration consulting services. Some of these are related to schools in the areas of administration, grant management and lobbying. As a point of full disclosure, the Vallas Group contacted the district immediately after it was announced that BPS would be receiving funding under the CARES Act to try to arrange a consulting agreement. The district did not have an interest in pursuing such an arrangement.
The district values all feedback and input from the community. As written, the Welcome Back Bridgeport Plan is proof positive that Bridgeport Public Schools is taking proactive measures to reopen in the fall to serve students, staff, faculty and parents regardless of which model is followed. It is also a testament that all district staff are working extremely hard for Bridgeport’s kids and will continue to do so with the community’s support as we move through the coming school year.
The Welcome Back Bridgeport Plan can be viewed on the BPS website: www.bridgeportedu.net
Thank you, Mr Grimaldi for posting this. Ms. Pankovits’ opinion piece was nothing more than a hit job and an insult to the 35 people not receiving compensation (volunteer parents, union reps etc) or any additional compensation. One must always considers the source of opinions and whether or not advocates of those opinions are being well compensated for their “advocacy”. All told Hundreds of combined hours were spent on meetings, planning for meetings, building walkthroughs, number crunching etc. in order to open our schools in public he safest way possible. Here is the link to the plan that was worked so hard to produce. https://www.bridgeportedu.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=15696.
I’ll be happy to respond to any comments that lie within my knowledge base, so long as the questions show that the plan has been read.
*** Supt. of Schools, a thankless job in Bpt. ***
Ms. Pankovits’ professional expertise lies in other areas. She is co-founder of the Chicago-based Vallas Group, Inc. You understand that this is owned by the same Paul Vallas that a Superior Court judge in Connecticut had ordered that Paul Vallas, a major school reformer who has run schools in Chicago, New Orleans and Philadelphia, be removed from his job as superintendent in Bridgeport because he hadn’t complied with a state law requiring him to take a school leadership program. The Connecticut Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, also filed a complaint with the State Department of Education, saying that Vallas shut teachers and parents out of discussions and decisions.
Why the need to recycle the same old, same old for the children of Bridgeport as if their education doesn’t mean shit!
How many times will we change our minds on this one???
Please elaborate.
Questions are generally harmless unless they go without answers for extended time periods. Some do not believe in sharing answers from a sense of power (their own) or maybe they do not know or understand not why such inquiry may contribute to successful results for all?
Did the date of Taxpayer Pankowitz’ letter to the CT Post featured on the OPINION page precede the report from the 35 member group of advisers? Yes. Was this dedicated group of 35 known to the public through CT Post or OIB before BOE folks were firing back? Yes, they should be appreciated for what may have seemed thankless work. A most serious thank you to all.
But, what has happened if anything or what is planned for the number of special students who are due PPT and or IEPs on an annual basis? Since the BOE and Superintendent signed the Opinion response, can they speak to the “markers” or grades they use to know in their hearts that all students are getting a quality education from the resources, personnel and physical property deployed in the K-12 task annually?
Joe, my friend, you have mischaracterized the Opinion piece as a ‘hit job’ unfortunately. I guess that those are also words for “an opinion piece”? And since Superintendent Testani based on my research, had no discussion with former Superintendent Vallas about a project going forward, perhaps he is guilty of mischaracterization, as well? Paul Vallas, like you, was found to have CT requirements to meet for his “superintendency” and he completed them. Congratulations on meeting your requirements during this COVID 19 year in May.
Having the resources for distance learning or instruction and students, including trained teachers, is a challenge certainly. But then so is being a citizen of Bridgeport with job, housing, health, financial, and transportation issues facing one many days of the week and attempting to be a positive family member, especially as a parent! Time will tell.
Also since Vallas was before my time a constituent pointed out to me that Vallas never achieved certification in the state of CT. I verified this in CT cert look up.
A search of Supt from Geraldine Johnson and M. Testani shows both to be certified. When Mr. Vallas is entered into the system the term “No educator found” pops up. Like him or not, Mr. Testani after being granted a waiver completed his certification requirements and achieved his 093 whereas Mr. Vallas did not.
Supt Aresta Johnson; please get her name right.
Its also a shame to talk about how Supt Testani gets paid almost the same ($244,000 v. Aresta’s $250,000). A $6,000 difference from a woman with a Doctorates degree in Education as well as already held her certifications for years and having served as an assistant superintendent in another district. Talk about disparity and inequality even at the district level. Considering that interim Fran Rabinowitz made less in her salary than the district offered Testani in his interim position is crazy within itself.
A. It is DR. Aresta Johnson a woman whom I’ve the utmost respect for (although I’m still a bit peeved she left us before her time was up) who earns her title of Doctorate and it should always be used.
B. I was referring to Geraldine Johnson the first African American Supt in Bridgeport a pioneer that paved the way for DR. Johnson (you may have noticed there is a whole school named after her)
Read more here and learn about this amazing woman. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ctpost.com/news/amp/Geraldine-Johnson-teacher-superintendent-6662117.php
C. I used her name to show how far back the records go.
D. I voted against Mr. Testani’s hiring and his contract and attempted to get a lower salary negotiated. I failed.
E. That is all In the past Mr. Anonymous BRIGHT FUTURE and I stand behind my convictions with courage.
F. Who are you again?
The task force was mentioned numerous times. I took the 30 seconds to google a mention on July 11 there have been other public mentions. https://www.ctinsider.com/news/nhregister/article/CT-school-districts-consider-traditional-safety-15400023.php
Ms. Pankovits sole research on the task force or lack thereof was a missed question on FB live.
As far as your questions regarding your plan I respectfully ask you to read it. It has taken hundreds of man hours to prepare.
Also I’d ask you to consider the source of those opining and what skin they have in the game. Is their skin related to being a highly compensated individual advocates? Or are they the unpaid volunteers with actual children in the schools this plan will affect.
Also I would like to know what research you conducted on a lack of discussion? I wouldn’t advise reaching out to Mr. Vallas as Mr. Testani has things well in hand.
I’ve also copied for your convenience FB posts about the task force and school survey also predating Ms. Pankovits “HIT JOB”. Information that was immediately available to anybody bothering to put a little research in rather than relying on one unanswered question on FB live before writing a scathing hit piece. https://www.facebook.com/113988665342314/posts/3983844938356648/?d=n
https://www.facebook.com/113988665342314/posts/3975490345858774/?d=n
https://www.facebook.com/113988665342314/posts/3969140113160464/?d=n
Moderation? Was it the links?
Yes. It wasn’t you
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