On another post Anonymous wrote:
"How we got where we are, part 30, May 2009
May 27, 2009: The Board approves a $132,000 contract “with Focus on Results to coordinate the training and development of the Superintendent's Cabinet on building a high performance culture to support the realization of the District's goals. This work is part of a District-wide plan to develop Human Capital at all levels. The Superintendent's Cabinet engages in training, receives critical feedback and engages in activities to increase team work performance. In
addition to this work, FOR works with the administrative team providing coaching, conducting school visits, increasing the inter-rater reliability of the principal evaluation process, facilitating the retreat goal setting for the year and following up with the staff on progress toward goal attainment and the relationship with school achievement results.”
Nobody seems to notice that the scope of work frankly is exactly the task of a commissioned officer per the PA school code (superintendents, assistant superintendents).
The Board approves a contract with Mary Ann Brown "To do an audit of the District web site conducted by the design firm of Mizrahi Design Associates, Inc. earlier this year, who recommended significant changes to the site in order to support audience needs and make the site easier to use....Services to be provided by Ms. Brown include, but are not limited to, developing copy for additional pages required by the new site structure and editing existing pages to conform to site standards.”
Good heavens, consultants auditing the work of consultants.
The Board authorizes “(1) student tutor, Franco Colaizzi to work with children during the nineteen (19) days of summer school at Pittsburgh Phillips K-5. The student tutors will support struggling students in reading and math instruction during the three (3) hour morning session and will support the work done in partnership with CitiParks, Mercy Behavioral Health, The Brashear Association, R.I.F. Pittsburgh and Riverset Credit Union during the three (3) hour afternoon session.”
Enough said.
Central Office explansion continues as the Board hires Lauren Meehan as “Program Coordinator, Stimulus Funds Utilization, Office of Strategic Initiatives.” Anita Ravi, fresh off of her connections with the Institute for Learning, is hired as the Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator.
This really is a trademark of the Roosevelt/Lane/Fischetti/Weiss administration, with every new task not replacing some other, less important task for an existing employee, rather creating an opportunity to hire another Central Office true believer.
The financial statements again warn that “Significant efforts must be made to reduce operating costs.” Mr. Brentley again seems to get it, noting that “I'm concerned about the administration's spending.”
Randall Taylor objects to the continuation of the Focus on Results contract: “The other one I wanted to ask about is No. 27, Focus on Results....Didn't we have a similar contact....it's difficult for me, and I hope that, Mr. Roosevelt, you know what contract I'm referring to that we did have someone who was supposed to come in and they are supposed to look at various departments. I mean, did we not have some group that was also playing a similar role as far as...”
At which point, Mark Roosevelt, either oblivious that FOR was doing work that is his or truly showing that he didn't care, cuts Taylor off: “This is the group that has been operating in this capacity for us....it represents a continuation of that work, so I'm sorry. I don't know exactly what you're referring to, but I think you're referring to Focus on Results who have been playing this role with us for a number of years now.” "
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Everything will be fine once Dr. Lane's help arrives from Detroit:
Detroit Fire Department Investigating Public School Overcrowding Complaints.
The Detroit Free Press (10/29, Dawsey) reports, "City fire marshal investigators plan to inspect every Detroit Public Schools classroom after receiving complaints this week about overcrowded classes with more than 50 students." Assistant Fire Marshal Osric Wilson said fire department officials met last week "with district officials to determine the maximum number of students for every classroom in the district." The Free Press notes, "DPS has enough classroom space, but not enough teachers. Last week, DPS laid off 87 teachers to save money. But officials decided this week to transfer 44 teachers and recall 45 more to address crowding at 34 schools."
...and the glitter just keeps falling off of all of Roosevelt/Lane/Fischetti/Weiss' heroes from Aspen/Broad/Gates/Council of Great City Schools:
Boston Superintendent Plagued By Rising Number Of "Missteps."
The Boston Globe (11/2, Vaznis) reports on a number of "missteps" dogging the steps of Boston Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, who six months ago received lavish praise from local board members upon the extension of her contract. Since that time, "Johnson's accomplishments have been overshadowed by her missteps and snags on several fronts. She has been unable to wrap up teacher contract negotiations and has struggled to get school buses to run on time. Last week, she abandoned a proposal to move Boston Latin Academy to the recently closed Hyde Park High School after a barrage of protests from students, parents, and teachers." The Globe continues to describe the backlash against her, adding that many "students, teachers, and parents say that her proposals are poorly researched or crafted with little, if any, consultation with those directly affected by the changes."
New York Teachers Union Survey Details Classroom Impact Of Budget Cuts.
The New York Times (11/2, Fertig, Subscription Publication, 950K) reports on a new survey of New York City teachers' union chapter leaders by the United Federation of Teachers which "gives a new look at how the latest round of budget cuts has affected students," noting that respondents reported "more crowded classrooms, fewer textbooks and even a lack of furniture." Moreover, the Times reports, "three-quarters of the elementary school leaders said their schools had been forced to raise class sizes, and more than half said they had to cut back on tutoring and other supports. More than 60 percent of the high school respondents said their schools had reduced or eliminated afterschool programs."
The question is, would budget cuts be having the same effect even if Broad and Gates never got involved in education? We have had economic downturns in the past- in the 70's, mid 80's, etc. Is something different this time, and is it related to Broad/Gates?
Good point. Might be a haves/have nots situation. Government thinking "if they are getting all that foundation money, they should need less money from state and local tax revenue and federal funds." All very convoluted thinking but for those not thinking deeply, very possible conclusions.
Continually yammering about Detroit pales actually getting a look at the mismanagement and graft, and the heartbreaking story of kids who actually want to learn there.
Got to HDNET. Watch Dan Rather's incredible report. Then get a sense of how downright INSANE it is to bring anyone from Detroit to have any type of input whatsoever. A jail cell would be a much more appropriate place for many of the school board members there to speak from.
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