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The CT State Board of Education that settles the residency issue involving Barbara Bishop, We at Region One Report wonder how much the money wasted on legal fees the Kent Center School could have spent on Kent students with those resources? It seems to be just another example of the lack of follow-thru, the lack of leadership and the abuse of authority in Region 1 Reply

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Here is the recent decision from the CT State Board of Education that settles the residency issue involving  Barbara Bishop. The Hearing Officer validated completely the Bishops steadfast assurance that Ms. Bishop and her son were “actual residents” of Kent because their roots in the community are deep and permanent in addition to contributing significantly to her community.  This was a sad case that should have never risen to this level according to the evidence in the decision. The Town spent thousands of dollars on an investigation that turned up virtually nothing according to this finding. Then they (Kent Board of Ed. and presumably Superintendent Chamberlain) spent thousands and thousands more taxpayer dollars on legal fees to prosecute an action that they ought to have known they could not have won (at least legally)  We at Region One Report  wonder how  much the money wasted on legal fees the Kent Center School could have spent on Kent students with those resources?  It seems to be just another example of the lack of follow-thru, the lack of leadership and the  abuse of authority in Region 1.

Please click on link below for decision

KentDecpdf174

Breaking News…Barbara Bishop of Kent won her case against Pat Chamberlain and Kent! Reply

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The ruling by an INDEPENDENT State Department of Education hearing officer was just issued determining that the Bishop family did indeed reside in Kent for he required time for sending their son to KCS. More details to come….This overturns the decision made at a prior hearing by a board of local residents had found the Bishops did not meet the residency requirements. Just another of the mounting legal bills spent under this administration, and there are now two more suits on the front burner concerning the Superintendent and her assistant. Oh, by the way, the attorney for the Bishops…..Richard Podykula. Yes the same attorney representing executive secretary Lucille Paige in her suit against Chamberlain.school-bus-stop-color

Terry Cowgill Gets It Wrong Again….and again…and again…. 5

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A reader passed this along to me…Terry Cowgill gets it wrong again! Here is another misinformed Cowgill “tweet”….

Region 1 budget fails for the 5th time. Boring! Keep holding these votes at town halls. At $8k a pop, they’re fun monthly social gatherings.

— Terry Cowgill (@terrycowgill) August 21, 2013

Terry at $8,000 a pop that totals $40,000.00, the budge has been cut over $250,000 dollars…still a SAVINGS of over $210,000!!! But Terry never was good at math! terryc

Attention Kent…Mr. Moore MUST GO..NOW! 5

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Mr. Moore of Kent must resign or be replaced by the Kent Board Of Education. Why? Here is Mr. Moore’s comment after last nights vote to The Republican-American…

“A budget is supposed to be a statement about educational priorities,” said board Chairman Jonathan Moore of Kent. “Apparently, the Region 1 voters believe that political agendas are more important than education. It’s a shame.”

 

This budget will go NOWHERE with comments made like this It is not the public that does not understand what is going on, this points out how out-of-contact the board chair is with reality.20130529_175353

A letter to the editor of The Region One Report 4

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I too hoped that former Principal Matt Harnett had potential.  I admired that he respected Gale Toensing and that their relationship was about improving education.  Last year Matt and I traded calls going into one of his Steve Hurley testimonials.  Diane Goncalves and Patricia wanted Steve Hurley out but he had a clean file.  I think he was too popular and Diane and Patricia do not like to compete with that.  Diane Goncalves was responsible to evaluate Steve that year.  She failed to do her job yet needed a negative written evaluation to pad Steve Hurley’s file.  So – I am told that Diane directed Matt to create one and Patricia kept the money (our money) flowing so the attorney could polish this fabricated evaluation.  I called Matt and pleaded with him to be a leader – and to not take directives from Superintendent Chamberlain or Diane Goncalves that include non-truth.  But he would not budge. He also did not deny it.  I know of others who tried as well.  Allegedly – some that worked for him refused to speak with him for months afterward.  A group of Steve Hurley’s co-workers stepped forward and wanted to testify on his behalf.  Patricia and  Diane had Scott Fellows (as a union rep) call each one of these teachers to his office where he gave them a talking to.  Diane stood in the doorway for each one.  Intimidation?  In conclusion – Matt Harnett was a tool.  Our students deserve better.
I shared the Becky Hurlburt letter with you a couple of months ago.  The one where she violates important by-laws and bullies Principal Croft regarding CCS Boys Basketball Coach – Michael Pierce.  (The prominent by-law being that Board Members may not, can not – manage the school or staff – even if they have kids at the school.)  The story did not end there.  Becky wanted Michael Pierce out and went after him.  CCS Principal Mike Croft and Athletic Director Dan Carroll created a horribly insulting evaluation that should be the beacon of low points for our CCSPrincipal’s career and Mike Croft can wear that and show up and take our tax dollars – but buddy – you should start apologizing.  When Mike Pierce went to his friends who are Coaches and teachers at CCS for a letter of recommendation to help him fight back – each one said the same thing to him as if scripted:  “I wish I could but I can’t afford to lose my job”.  Retribution.  Did Michael Pierce deserve the negative eval – absolutely not.  I have it.  They gave him zero points for emergency medical training and CPR etc…  He has all those certifications and more as the State requires.  You have to see this document.  Dr. Fitz wrote him a lovely letter of recommendation – as did many of the boys he coached.
I am voting “No” again.  70% of our property tax dollar is this budget.  We want a High School that reflects the great teachers and students and citizens of Region One.  We vote “No” to end this Correctional Facility under this Superintendent and Warden.  Do not buy them out – insist that they go by voting “No”.
Next we should be discussing thorough and acceptable annual financial audit procedures.
Lawrence Van Valkenburgh