Government watchdog Jonathan Pelto has an interesting piece about Board of Education member Hernan Illingworth and school uniforms.
Last week, with only about 40 days left to the 2012-2013 school year, Central High School announced that they would begin enforcing Bridgeport’s district-wide school uniform policy.
As the CT Post wrote, “The edict, made during morning announcements Tuesday by Principal Stephen Anderson and sent home to parents by letter, was ordered by the district administration after some board members learned that the district’s 2-year-old high school uniform policy was being ignored at Central.”
That Board of Education member was Hernan Illingworth … who just happens to be a salesman for Bridgeport based Uniformz, whose website reports that the company is, “the premier local supplier of School Uniforms to the students of the Bridgeport (CT) Public School System.”
Read more here.
What is interesting is for all the blather from Walker and his naïve minions about how they don’t like Finch (I don’t either) is they think the whole baloney with the so-called education reform with the appointed board and Paul Vallas who reminds me of the lead character in the movie the Flim Flam, is doing a wonderful job, when in reality it seems like they are all helping themselves to all sorts of favorable contracts that are putting money in their pockets or of friends and relatives … so much for volunteerism.
*** The overall decision to go with school uniforms in the Bpt elementary schools was and still is a good idea for many reasons; however the rules implementation and school enforcement concerning the uniform code needs to be better addressed by the school administration to the children’s parents and kids to be sure everyone is on the same page and understands any violations of the uniform code will be enforced! *** GO HOME AND COME BACK WEARING YOUR SCHOOL UNIFORM AND WHATEVER TIME IT TAKES WILL BE MADE UP AFTER SCHOOL ***
*** In other words, it’s time to get tough about wearing school uniforms to school and wearing them the correct way or else! *** OLD SCHOOL WAYS, NO? ***
You just can’t make this stuff up. Does anyone see a conflict of interest here? I do.
Did Illingworth have to pay his taxes?
I think the City Council should be required to show up in kilts at every meeting from now on.
Except Warren Blunt. I would have to gouge my eyes out after viewing that.
Mean.
That remark was nowhere near as nice as raising my taxes, right?
Ride Sally, Ride.
Well I’m glad Pullman & Comley LLC no longer represents the City on Bonding and Contracts, now that one of their associates sits on the City Council.
Maybe someday Lennie or Pelto will point that out to us little Black Rockers?
Response to Sonny Fox: Most Black Rockers are smart.
How about Webziners?
This is definitely a conflict of interest. But I have a couple of thoughts I need to share. First, students can easily find their uniform requirements at Target, Marshalls and TJ Max. There is definitely a conflict of interest and it is not relevant whether it was Finch or Malloy who appointed him. The fact he works for a company that sells uniforms for the students in the city is enough for an ethics investigation. Personally, when they first decided on uniforms I thought it was a great idea. I thought students would be more focused wearing a uniform reminiscent of the parochial schools of days gone by. The uniforms look sloppy and dirty. You can hardly tell the students are even wearing uniforms. I have been in every single school in the City of Bridgeport over the past two years. My comments come from daily experiences. I know the system cannot police the parents maintaining the few shirts students wear for an entire school year.
On Mr. Anderson, the principal of Central High School, my school class of 1975, I give my KUDOS to him. Students in high school are beginning to truly develop the individuality and creativity that will ultimately shape their career. I believe juniors and seniors should be allowed the autonomy to decide whether they prefer a uniform or any other acceptable school attire.
On Mr. Vallas, I have yet to find a teacher who sings his praises. Change is definitely needed and I have only been impressed with 60 percent of the teachers I have met and observed. 40 percent are totally committed and amazing. Most teachers I have met are more interested in the union. The students are not naive and they are aware who cares and who does not. But I digress, this a conflict of interest with the uniforms and I hope this will be elevated to the proper individuals and rectified immediately. That means before the next school year.
Sorry, not impressed with the 60 percent who are more concerned with the union.
NOTICE:
Starting next Monday, the OIB uniform policy will be enforced. All readers or posters of OIB must wear their uniform without exception. If anyone is interested in purchasing a uniform, you will be permitted to purchase from Hernan Illingworth if you wish to. The uniforms colors are limited to the OIB colors–baby blue shirts and gray pants or skirts. yahooy is the only OIBer allowed to wear all pink. After three warnings, violators will be banned from OIB participation. Any complaints or objections should be addressed to Hernan Illingworth, Bridgeport BOE member.
What about bow ties? Are they allowed to be worn? Anyone need some help tying one on? Here’s where we will separate the men from the boys, or get some assistance from the distaff side and getting the knot right, rather than a right NOT!
Practically speaking, before there is an appearance of or actual conflict, should we have a public notice board for elected or appointed people who have posted their work, economic contacts and other groups with which they have strong associations? In this case right on the Bridgeport Public School web site. I asked a Board member this morning about the Pelto disclosure and was told Mr. Illingworth had made his business activities a matter of record on the BOE, however perhaps a broader PUBLIC disclosure would be useful? Time will tell.
What about gloves? Oh. Never mind.
*** What about a web handle, no? *** OH WELL! ***