Woodstock Public Schools Continue to Pay Lip Service to Education while Thompson ‘Soars’
Thompson’s Mary R. Fisher elementary school was recently recognized by ConnCan as third in performance gains among the state’s 596 elementary schools. ConnCAN statistics show a 20 percent increase in the number of Fisher fourth-graders meeting goal level on standardized tests in 2010 versus the number of third-graders meeting the goal level in 2009. You can read the full article -HERE- .
By contrast, what’s going on in Woodstock? A look at the 11/18/2010 BOE minutes reveals that: “Dr. Baran highlighted the dip in grade four achievement which appears to be specific to Woodstock.” No discussion of the problem exists in the minutes, instead he moves on to the “new report cards”, huh? This doesn’t warrant discussion and explanation especially in light of his observation that it is specific to Woodstock?
A discerning read of the minutes from the two school boards will give you a clue as to why. While in Woodstock they discuss policies, boilers, and money; the Thompson BOE actually discusses education and how to improve it- communication, attitude and more. Moreover, recent administration changes in Thompson appear to account for an entirely new attitude and direction- how refreshing. Just a peek at the respective websites will give you a clue- open and friendly vs. foreboding and lacking information. While Thompson meetings begin at 7:00pm with the last ending at 9:15- Woodstock’s run into the wee hours; to accomplish what exactly?
How can this continue to be lost on such ‘superior’ minds (just ask them) such as Lindsay Paul, Kirsten Rigney, Sara Harkness and some of the others? One word- politics. Despite my high hopes for Tony Walker, it appears that he has lost his way and succumbed to the madness as well, while Lindsay Paul plans her self-promotional ‘Community Discussion’ and Scott Sincerbeaux quietly prepares to run for first selectman.
Some of you may recall that I and others called for such a discussion in the past under a framework and moderation developed by Dr. Armand Fusco that has paid fantastic dividends in other districts- and at no cost. The problem there appeared to be that it couldn’t be tightly scripted and controlled enough for her liking, so instead what we will experience is the appearance of a real discussion spun for effect- and she needed a grant for this?
It is my sincere hope for the children of Woodstock that parents will wake up and start asking the hard questions of this BOE and administration. Unfortunately, you will probably experience what many have before you- stone walling, personal attacks and waiting you out to go away. Unfortunately, it works…too bad for your kids, they deserve better than this.
Most of us that have come before you no longer have a dog in this fight so to speak. Budget season is coming soon and if you thought the shenanigans were bad in the past, you haven’t seen anything yet. Frank and the administration are going to need a raise you know…
Happy holidays,
Craig R. Powers
By contrast, what’s going on in Woodstock? A look at the 11/18/2010 BOE minutes reveals that: “Dr. Baran highlighted the dip in grade four achievement which appears to be specific to Woodstock.” No discussion of the problem exists in the minutes, instead he moves on to the “new report cards”, huh? This doesn’t warrant discussion and explanation especially in light of his observation that it is specific to Woodstock?
A discerning read of the minutes from the two school boards will give you a clue as to why. While in Woodstock they discuss policies, boilers, and money; the Thompson BOE actually discusses education and how to improve it- communication, attitude and more. Moreover, recent administration changes in Thompson appear to account for an entirely new attitude and direction- how refreshing. Just a peek at the respective websites will give you a clue- open and friendly vs. foreboding and lacking information. While Thompson meetings begin at 7:00pm with the last ending at 9:15- Woodstock’s run into the wee hours; to accomplish what exactly?
How can this continue to be lost on such ‘superior’ minds (just ask them) such as Lindsay Paul, Kirsten Rigney, Sara Harkness and some of the others? One word- politics. Despite my high hopes for Tony Walker, it appears that he has lost his way and succumbed to the madness as well, while Lindsay Paul plans her self-promotional ‘Community Discussion’ and Scott Sincerbeaux quietly prepares to run for first selectman.
Some of you may recall that I and others called for such a discussion in the past under a framework and moderation developed by Dr. Armand Fusco that has paid fantastic dividends in other districts- and at no cost. The problem there appeared to be that it couldn’t be tightly scripted and controlled enough for her liking, so instead what we will experience is the appearance of a real discussion spun for effect- and she needed a grant for this?
It is my sincere hope for the children of Woodstock that parents will wake up and start asking the hard questions of this BOE and administration. Unfortunately, you will probably experience what many have before you- stone walling, personal attacks and waiting you out to go away. Unfortunately, it works…too bad for your kids, they deserve better than this.
Most of us that have come before you no longer have a dog in this fight so to speak. Budget season is coming soon and if you thought the shenanigans were bad in the past, you haven’t seen anything yet. Frank and the administration are going to need a raise you know…
Happy holidays,
Craig R. Powers
Something else that shows the ineptitude of this cast of characters- in reading the 11/18/2010 BOE minutes I was astounded to notice that the bathroom partitions at WMS are still a topic of discussion. This has been going on for 5 YEARS or more. The time that has been spent on this ridiculous item is just embarrassing, especially considering the June cash dumps that have occurred over the last number of years.
Priorities people! (AKA actual education issues) Or is this too difficult to understand?
You like a growing amount of Woodstock voters are growing wiser as time passes. United we can do something about the BOE, BOF and Town Hall. The spending and where the money is going and to whom.
We all know what is going on it's time to unite and let Hartford and beyond know what is going on in the Quiet corner.
The protection of people in the clique and the laws that are broken and the lack of enforcement is running rampart.
We pay a Building Inspector and yet how many buildings have been built in Woodstock?
We pay a Town Planner/ ZEO, for what? They are trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
We need to organize and plan a strategy to defeat the powers who squander tax dollars.