woodstocktruth.com: Recent Comments

Comment on If We Are to Focus on Education- Baran, Lustila and Shipman Must Go

Woodstock Valley Girl — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:41:57 GMT

HA! That's hilarious.

Comment on John Leavitt and the “Attack PAC” Smacked by the SEEC

Woodstock Valley Girl — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:38:41 GMT

John Leavitt knows better and should have been fined. Kevin Ford is clueless but he's the dangerous type who THINKS he knows everything but in fact doesn't know much. He should have been fined too.

Comment on If We Are to Focus on Education- Baran, Lustila and Shipman Must Go

Preston Shultz — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:15:12 GMT

Shipman and Goodwin announce the opening of an office in the Northeast Corner of CT due to their business growth in this area and the cost of gasoline and the ability to find open phone circuit between Hartford and Woodstock. Work will begin immediately on the conversion of the Administrative conference room next to Frank's office. The carbon foot print reduction resulting from this move will rival the production of the methane plant to be constructed at the Miller Farm.

Comment on Woodstock's "Attack PAC" Revealed

Woodstock Valley Girl — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:40:05 GMT

John Leavitt can't seem to figure out how to fill out simple forms, can he?

It's hard to tell if he's just plain stupid or he's smart like a fox and does this deliberately in order to make things as confusing as possible.

I don't think he reported the contribution properly. Someone ought to file a complaint with the elections people. This can be added to the pile of complaints that have already been filed against him.

Comment on If We Are to Focus on Education- Baran, Lustila and Shipman Must Go

Preston Shultz — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:48:54 GMT

People do not sue at the drop of a hat. People sue when they are frustrated to the maximum. Every time anything comes up, he calls the lawyers- every day.

An example of such is calling the lawyer rather than a parent that was not going to allow their child to be detained after school. Shouldn't the first call be made to the parent to engage in a dialog? Other times when it comes to SPED and IEP's and PPT's where the parents are supposed to be equal in the process on educational decisions be made for their child, you see in the legal bills that each "strategy" is being scripted by Shipman. If the parents are equal partners then no one needs an attorney much less using one that the parents do not know about.

Why do you think he is taking legal strategy on the bus drivers , the teachers, the custodians...He is not a people person and he has a real problem when it comes to speaking the truth.

Comment on Why Not “Regionalize” the Entire Town First?

Mark — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:33:24 GMT

I've not heard any more regarding the Citizens Audit Committee. Are there plans to begin such a committee in Woodstock. In the future, I'd be interested in starting one in my town.

Comment on If We Are to Focus on Education- Baran, Lustila and Shipman Must Go

Admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:47:30 GMT

Tax,

I don't disagree with all you have said; however, I have to ask myself what would be the reason that the adminstration would ask what their authority is to override a teacher's grade? Is there a problem with the teacher? Were they trying to appease parents? There doesn't seem to be a good answer. Moreover, why would Frank be asking about PAC contributions? It would appear that he was asking on behalf of the 'Attack PAC'- this is public money we are talking about and I don't care if it's a nickel- IT IS WRONG! Just a couple of small examples, but goes to the core of the issue which is there is something systemically very wrong with our school system and it starts at the top.

Comment on If We Are to Focus on Education- Baran, Lustila and Shipman Must Go

A Taxpayer — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:52:24 GMT

I think Margaret's question is a good one as well. In many ways I don't blame our BOE and Superintendent for seeking legal consult. We not only live in a litigious society, but the rules that govern it have become increasingly complex. I don't think anyone can keep current with all of its laws. However, that being said, if local boards and administrators lose their efficacy and strength as a result, then perhaps there is no reason to continue with the same structure. Perhaps regionalization of local offices and administrators should be considered-not only as a matter of practicality, but also as a matter of cost savings. If an administrator's role has become merely one of a legal go-between, then we need to ask ourselves if they are they really worth their salary. For instance, perhaps there should be one Superintendent of schools for all the Academy sending towns.

Comment on If We Are to Focus on Education- Baran, Lustila and Shipman Must Go

Admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:27:12 GMT

A very good point Margie, and a question more citizens and parents should be asking, in my opinion.

Comment on If We Are to Focus on Education- Baran, Lustila and Shipman Must Go

Margaret Wholean — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:12:47 GMT

Why do we pay our administrators so much money if they have to constantly ask for legal advice on how to perform their job and how to deal with daily issues? Why do they need to receive strategy advice from the attorneys on so many of the issues? Don't they know the right thing to do?