Daily Archives: March 17, 2012

The more things change, the more they stay the same… Reply

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from The Pingpank Report, December 2010

First . . . There will be continued problems if the faculty usurps the high school principal, if the central office usurps the high school administration,  or if the central office works in conjunction with selected members of the faculty to the exclusion of the high school administration.

Second, there will be continued problems if the faculty divisions are not healed or at least minimized. One would assume that the faculty, working with a new high school administration, can lessen those divisions. . .

Third, there needs to be less involvement by the central office in the daily life of the high school [which is exactly what Jack said at the August 16, 2010, meeting, which so offended the superintendent that she wrote that email kicking Jack and the 21st Century group out of the taxpayer-funded conference room].  . .

Fourth. . .Administrators should be aware that not everything that goes on in the central office needs to be kept confidential . . .

Fifth, there are concerns over intimidation by the central office. While the concern is not limited to the assistant superintendent, Ms. Goncalves is as much a lightening rod for opinion and controversy as was the [former] principal. She has been blunt. At times that bluntness has been excessive. Her manner at times can be intimidating and threatening. She should be counseled to moderate her behavior. The power of her office should allow her to give clear and direct guidance without the need for intimidation. There are clearly elements in the region that would like to see Ms. Goncalves leave. This can impair her effectiveness, much like her excessive bluntness has impaired her effectiveness. Whether she can be effective is a matter either for the Boards) to decide, or for time to tell.

In future actions, the central office needs to take care to ensure that the course of action chosen is a proper one, a proper method is used to achieve a proper result, and the proper and accurate justification for the action is given.

Sixth. . .It would be helpful if all could take actions that are in the best interest of the Regional School District, that they act with proper motives, and use proper methods.

From The Litchfield County Times 1

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In Region 1, Honor Jack Mahoney by Naming the Building After Him

Published: Thursday, March 08, 2012

Speaking of gratitude, it would seem to us that it is time to honor former Housatonic Valley Regional High School principal Jack Mahoney by naming the new science and technology center on the school’s campus for him. Mr. Mahoney, who died unexpectedly last year, was nearly as dedicated to the school after his retirement as he was during his more than three decades as a teacher and principal there. He had devoted many hours to bringing to fruition the dream of the science and technology center.The center, which will occupy an abandoned and renovated building on the campus, is one of those life-enhancing efforts undertaken by volunteers. It is being largely paid for through grants and private donations and will give aspiring students at the school a place where they can do long-term extracurricular or extra credit projects under the guidance of—you guessed it—volunteer advisors.

But, when the 21st Century Fund, which Mr. Mahoney helped to found to help advance educational experiences at the school, recommended that the center be called the Mahoney-Hewitt Science and Technology Center (Diane Hewitt is another major benefactor of the center), the Region 1 Board of Education postponed the vote for a month, purportedly to give time for public comment.

This provoked an outcry among sensitized residents of Region 1, who believe the delay may result from a disagreement between Mahoney and Superintendent of Schools Patricia Chamberlain stemming from last year’s shake-up at the school. Whether the delay is, or is not, politically motivated, it does raise the question: Why is it so hard to say, “Thanks!”

A letter to the editor in this morning’s Republican-American Reply

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http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2012/03/17/letters/628176.txt

Name Region 1 science center for educator Jack Mahoney 

Amy D. Schuchat, Sharon

The Feb. 7 article “Region 1 delays naming science center,” regarding the delay in naming the science-technology center at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, left me disappointed in, and hurt and enraged by, the actions of the Region 1 Board of Education and Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain.

It has been recommended that the building be named in memory of the late Jack Mahoney, a teacher and principal who devoted his life to educating the children of Region 1.

In his later years, there was little that pleased him more than seeing “his” students, and catching up on their lives.

I can verify that Jack remembered, with humor and love, each and every one.

In what turned out to be the last years of Jack’s life, he was intensely passionate about building the science and technology center.

He profoundly believed in public education.

He understood the future of this country lies in educating all its children and providing them with the opportunity to compete in the new worldwide arena, and that science and technology were key. That is why this building was so important to Jack.

Not politics, not intimidation, not mean-spirited insinuation.

All Jack ever believed in was children, and that good education conquered all.

It is apparent to me that this is not the primary motive of many members of the Board of Education and, sadly, the Region 1 administration.

Shame on all of you. 

Aeron Watson, Scott Fellows, and the Superintendent…. Reply

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Aeron Watson, Scott Fellows, and the Superintendent …

Our Superintendent, Patricia Chamberlain, chose a letter from Aeron Watson (see below) to be included in a Board Packet that was distributed to board members and the press.  It strains credulity that the Superintendent did not know who Aeron Watson was.  In a court of law, convictions would be overturned, and prosecutors and their employees would be fired if anyone was discovered presenting (planting?) “evidence” like this.  In Region One, apparently, everyone gets a raise, and a hearty “job well done”.  It’s about time that all changes.

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Two different letters, show the true personality of our Region One Superintendent… Reply

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Two different letters, show the true personality of our Region One Superintendent…

One from our Superintendent herself:

From: Patricia Chamberlain [mailto:pchamberlain22@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 5:38 AM
To: Jack Mahoney
Cc: elindholm01@hotmail.com
Subject: Central Office Involvement in the High School

Jack,

In light of your comments at the Board meeting yesterday, regarding the location and involvement of Central Office adminsitrators as unhealthy for the high school, I ask that you remove Sam Herrick, Diane Goncalves and myself from the Science and Technology Committee for the high school. If you have a need to meet, please contact Julie Lang for a time and place. Also, I will forward the money being held here for your project to Berkshire Taconic – 21st Century Fund unless you advise me otherwise. Please have the curricula/unit committee present their needs to the K-12 curriculum council. Please know we respect your position and we gladly will share all documents with the interim principal as soon as possible.

Patricia

One from the respected former Region One Assistant Business Manager

Choo K. Singer, 36 Hooperfields Drive, Sharon, CT 06069

March 10, 2012

RE: Malicious Mistreatment of Jack Mahoney

To: Region One Board

 The nasty aroma of cronyism and incompetence of Region One Superintendent has traveled all the way down to our winter residence in Florida. How long will our community put up with the nasty disruptive tactics of the Superintendent throwing her weight around??

She clearly over reached her level of authority when she emailed Jack Mahoney not to call the Central Office to set up a meeting in the conference room. Doesn’t she realize her office and the conference room including the furniture are public properties belonging to the Regional High School? Doesn’t she realize that the debt incurred to build the RSC offices is sitting in the High School’s Balance Sheet currently as a liability making the debt service payments semiannually out of the High School’s operational budget?

She calls herself a CEO, as if Region One is a private sector corporation.   She is nothing but a public servant spending public funds.

The above is my opinion as a concerned citizen and longtime dedicated employee of Region One.

Respectfully,

 Choo K. Singer

Former Region One Assistant Business Manager

Two different emails and letters, from two different people, one the Superintendent….show her true personality and agenda…