North Middlesex panel votes to discuss sharing schools chief - ...

The North Middlesex Regional School Committee last night voted to negotiate with the Quabbin Regional School District on a proposal that would allow North Middlesex Superintendent Maureen Marshall to serve as superintendent of both districts.

[JIm]

Now that the school committee has determined that they are administratively top heavy, and only need a part time Super.

It makes you wonder why they had kept this position full time for so many years, what did the past Supers do if it's only a part time position.

Now that this position has been identified as only a part time position, the school district should continue saving money as future Super positions should be contracted as part time positions as well.

Let's start looking at other positions in the school district and make them part time as well

Great job school committee

[Nightmare]

JIm wrote:

Now that the school committee has determined that they are administratively top heavy, and only need a part time Super.
It makes you wonder why they had kept this position full time for so many years, what did the past Supers do if it's only a part time position.
Now that this position has been identified as only a part time position, the school district should continue saving money as future Super positions should be contracted as part time positions as well.
Let's start looking at other positions in the school district and make them part time as well
Great job school committee

This action, on the part of the school committee, is a nightmare of inefficiency and distruction for our schools. They will not be well-managed if they are under part time leadership. Why not just set up a bunch of one room school houses and let people do whatever they want because that is what is going to happen here with no oversight. Someone needs to look out for the community to make sure that things are in place for our schools. I am ashamed to see this move in our community. I think that it shows that we care very little about our children and care more about keeping a superintendent (who obviously doesn't want to invest in our district) happy with her career. Personally, I will never support of the people who vote to support this move in the future. Sorry kids, the grownups are out of town today.

[Baffled Mom]

Each school district has bought half a horse and is jackass proud of themselves.

Special exemption and commendation to Anne Buchholz and Michael Morgan for voting against this folly.

[Rob]

I always look at the money. Ms Marshall ending up taking no pay cut. Correct me on that if I am wrong. Everyone else is taking pay cuts or losing their job. She works closer to home for half the time. Sounds good. I have to agree with Baffled Mom on her comment about the school district.
The students will be alright as long as parents keep involved. I feel Ms Marshall is half way out the door and the towns would be smart to start looking for a replacement.
Thank You to Anne Buchhotz and Michael Morgan for voting against this folly and having some common sense.

[Fred Wheeler]

I was at the meeting the other night.
The school committee is putting itself into a position that for the next 3-4 years they will have to justify why we have paid for and will need to pay for a full time superintendent.
They will divert energies from the issues that face the District.
My comments were directed to have the " rainy day fund" which has about $700k available to fund the three new teachers and cut a position at the central office ( 40k) that is presently vacant.
I also warned them of the political fallout of their decision. Their committee publicly stated they did not consider political impact nor did they consider any admin cuts at central office even though this vacant position is new to the District.
The issues that face the District were eloquently stated by the next speaker from the audience.
She pointed to disparity in curriculum instruction in the elementary schools , specifically showing an example of different teacher's handling of book reports.
She also stated that parents judge the District on the MCAC scores and NMRSD lags Groton-Dunstable and Quabbin lags NMRSD and asked the pointed question which District will get your attention Mrs. Marshall?. When a committee member stated that there are other methods of judging the district she replied that this is the way parents do it and you are not going to change that.
There is also $1,000,000 leaving the NMRSD every year for choice and charter schools.
These three issues should be the attention of a full time Superintendent.
Several committee members have been persuaded to support this because the entire administration have said they can do it. Just because they say they can do it doesn't mean they should do it .
North Middlesex is a good school system and has a lot to offer a student. The committee and Adminstration should focus their energies on these issues and tell Quabbin “ No Thanks”
Fred Wheeler
NMRSD committee member 2003-2009

[Fred Wheeler]

PS
If anyone wants to see the Quabbin Regional School District meeting minutes 6/11/09 to see their discussions email me

fwheeler3 at yahoo.com

[Fred Wheeler]

oops

fjwheeler3 at yahoo.com

[resident]

The school committe is deciding the fate of our schools and have no right as a tax payer this should be a town vote not a school committe vote. I can tell you my grandchildren will opt for school choice.

[Paying Attention]

Baffled Mom wrote:

Each school district has bought half a horse and is jackass proud of themselves.
Special exemption and commendation to Anne Buchholz and Michael Morgan for voting against this folly.

Yes indeed! A dead horse at that.