Where are the voters who elected this group of incompetent and unprofessional Board members? We have all seen the failed agenda of the Grand Slam Team ineffectively carried out by a weak and incompetent Interim Superintendent. Ms. Belin-Pyles should do herself a favor and resign along with the convicted felon that is serving as a Board member in violation of the law and a poor example for our students in Mr. Abdul-Haqq.
Why is the public silent about this? Everyday he sits on the Board he is breaking the law.
The recent transfers of principals is just another example of the lies and politics being played out by the Grand Slam Team. All of the Board members except Ms. Gilbert should step down immediately. Yes, Ms. Logan Leach, you too. You had a chance to lead this district in the right direction but instead of leading you seemed to follow and serve as a puppet to the Grand Slam team that used you.
The poor or secret planning and continued walkon items is evidence enough that the transparency promised to the voters that elected them has been denied. There is no regard for public input or for the professionalism of employees. The treatment of speakers by the Board President is unacceptable. Why do we continue to allow this to happen?
Ms. Keisha Edwards chose to step down and not run, but agreed to be placed back on the Board by her cronies without much notice or involvement of the public. The newly elected board members have disappointed greatly and proven themselves to be group thinkers and pawns to Wilma Campbell.
The massive moves of principals Tuesday night which was not placed on the public agenda is another example that things have gotten worse, not better in the district. I have received e-mails that principals were told by telephone that they were being moved shortly before the meeting. As many have posted, the Interim Superintendent was unable to give an explanation as to why the moves are being made and being made at this late hour.
This is the change that Plainfield voted for.
One comment that struck me was regarding Ms. Belin Pyles' statement that there was more than enough time to plan. The person commented simply asked the question: "How in the hell would she know"?
"The fact that she has never been a teacher let alone a principal underscores her inability to understand the work required to prepare students for the school year. She has never done such work and has no clue".
The Board President Renata Hernandez is not only an embarrassment, she is a disgrace. With her type of leadership there is no where for the district to go but down.
It has been nearly two years.
Simpy put: What has the Grand Slam Team and the Interim Superintendent done?
The answer is why it is time to clean house at the board and district level.
I'll buy the brooms and handcuffs.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Back from Vacation
I am back from a much needed vacation. I never thought that after retiring a nice get away can make such a difference.
I returned to many comments about more shootings in Plainfield, nationally shown fights in the high school, Dr. Bilal (glad to hear he landed a new job), Marias OPRA documents (seemed that it was the lawyers), the Council, the "Assistant" Mayor, the Assemblyman, the Governor's near heart attack (strange what some people were hoping), and yes, the BOE namely the Grand Slam Team.
I will be sifting through these comments and issues and back to posting.
Thanks for checking in.
I returned to many comments about more shootings in Plainfield, nationally shown fights in the high school, Dr. Bilal (glad to hear he landed a new job), Marias OPRA documents (seemed that it was the lawyers), the Council, the "Assistant" Mayor, the Assemblyman, the Governor's near heart attack (strange what some people were hoping), and yes, the BOE namely the Grand Slam Team.
I will be sifting through these comments and issues and back to posting.
Thanks for checking in.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Politics. Period.
The final decision to not renew Dr. Bilal is the most embarrassing and blatant act of politics that I have seen. The principal has shown that he is more than capable of running the high school and moving it forward. He presented numerous data points that showed his progress and over 100 supporters came out last week to publicly state their support for him at his Donaldson Hearing in which he agreed to be held in public.
As Dr. Bilal shared data, the Interim Superintendent Belin-Pyles showed once again why she is not qualified to hold the highest position in the district or select or evaluate district administrators. Her attempted responses in light of Bilal's well prepared and delivered presentation proved her totally incompetent and inept and made her look like the "fish out water" that she is. I don't know her personally, but so far her record over the past year, especially following Gallon who I have yet to hear anyone challenged his leadership or educational skills, is an utter failure ridden with fumbles and snafus.
The Cook relocation debacle, public statement from principals that they had not been evaluated, promotion of a principal that did not meet the minimum qualifications, pattern of hiding from the media and offering no comments or responses to direct questions, and non renewal of Dr. Bilal show that Ms. Belin Pyles is not fit to be Superintendent of Schools. Add to the fact that according to numerous comments that she has no experience as a principal or teacher for that matter, the district is on a track to failure, cronyism, and rampant politics under her leadership.
It is common knowledge that persons that are unqualified, incompetent, or unfit to do their jobs usually survive and sometimes thrive due to politics. They make no decisions on their own, take no position on matters, and are beholding to the people that put them in place and not the organization that they should be serving. The Plainfield district and children are ill-served by this type of leadership.
And before I get any nasty comments, this post is not about how nice, kind, or sweet a person is. It is about how politics continue to run this district and city in the ground. It is the politics that votes out Lenny Cathcart but that still keeps in place a convicted felon in Abdull Haqq on the Board despite the law stating that it is illegal to do so. It is also the politics that would have the same convicted felon that is a Board member publicly state who Bilal's successor will be. The fix is already in. Such is politics.
Dr. Bilal will not be back at the high school next year. Based on his proven track record before he even arrived to Plainfield, I am sure he will land on his feet and probably be on the prevailing end of a lawsuit against the district.
If one questions whether or not there are conspiracies that play out in the back rooms of City Hall or in the Executive Sessions of Board Meetings, read the released minutes on Maria's Blog. They are very telling in the Gallon matter and I suspect he too should be licking his legal chops after reading some of the statements made by Board members and even the Board attorney.
I suspect that Dr. Bilal too would be wise to start looking into the discussions that involved his nonrewenal, the Board members that supported him, and the superintendent's take on the matter as presented to the Board.
The elections are the most obvious of the political process. They allow citizens to participate in democracy and determine who is going to represent them and their interests. Over a year ago, the process was underway to rid the district of "wayward" reforms that were brought in by a young energetic, idealistic superintendent. These same innovative reforms were celebrated by the local and State media and are still place to this day in the district. He seemed to have had a vision and was able to use data to show and measure the progress of the district and reforms that he instituted. His numbers and initiatives showed that he was doing right by the district. He was well educated and held an earned doctorate.
Plainfield was not ready for such reform from outsider, from one who was not one of their own.
Yes. I am talking about Dr. Steve Gallon. I am also talking about Dr. Brian Bilal. One is from Florida. One is from Plainfield. In an effort to move a reform agenda is doesnt matter where you are from when people are stuck on politics and maintaining the status quo. It is well known that the status quo in Plainfield is failing schools, incompetence, cronyism, nepotism, and politics.
In the midst of the gang violence and deaths of young people right here in Plainfield over the past six months who are usually black or hispanic, these two gentleman defied the odds and could have served as positive role models for the youth, especially black male youth in Plainfield.
But it won't be. The reason that it won't be has nothing to do with their ability, qualifications, credentials, work ethic, or knowledge. Those are matters that seem to apply to the current Board and district leadership. They won't win or succeed because of their ability, qualifications, credentials, work ethic, or knowledge. They win and succeeed because of their politics. They so do even at the expense of the students and downward spiral of the district.
It has everything to do with politics in Plainfield, New Jersey. Period.
As Dr. Bilal shared data, the Interim Superintendent Belin-Pyles showed once again why she is not qualified to hold the highest position in the district or select or evaluate district administrators. Her attempted responses in light of Bilal's well prepared and delivered presentation proved her totally incompetent and inept and made her look like the "fish out water" that she is. I don't know her personally, but so far her record over the past year, especially following Gallon who I have yet to hear anyone challenged his leadership or educational skills, is an utter failure ridden with fumbles and snafus.
The Cook relocation debacle, public statement from principals that they had not been evaluated, promotion of a principal that did not meet the minimum qualifications, pattern of hiding from the media and offering no comments or responses to direct questions, and non renewal of Dr. Bilal show that Ms. Belin Pyles is not fit to be Superintendent of Schools. Add to the fact that according to numerous comments that she has no experience as a principal or teacher for that matter, the district is on a track to failure, cronyism, and rampant politics under her leadership.
It is common knowledge that persons that are unqualified, incompetent, or unfit to do their jobs usually survive and sometimes thrive due to politics. They make no decisions on their own, take no position on matters, and are beholding to the people that put them in place and not the organization that they should be serving. The Plainfield district and children are ill-served by this type of leadership.
And before I get any nasty comments, this post is not about how nice, kind, or sweet a person is. It is about how politics continue to run this district and city in the ground. It is the politics that votes out Lenny Cathcart but that still keeps in place a convicted felon in Abdull Haqq on the Board despite the law stating that it is illegal to do so. It is also the politics that would have the same convicted felon that is a Board member publicly state who Bilal's successor will be. The fix is already in. Such is politics.
Dr. Bilal will not be back at the high school next year. Based on his proven track record before he even arrived to Plainfield, I am sure he will land on his feet and probably be on the prevailing end of a lawsuit against the district.
If one questions whether or not there are conspiracies that play out in the back rooms of City Hall or in the Executive Sessions of Board Meetings, read the released minutes on Maria's Blog. They are very telling in the Gallon matter and I suspect he too should be licking his legal chops after reading some of the statements made by Board members and even the Board attorney.
I suspect that Dr. Bilal too would be wise to start looking into the discussions that involved his nonrewenal, the Board members that supported him, and the superintendent's take on the matter as presented to the Board.
The elections are the most obvious of the political process. They allow citizens to participate in democracy and determine who is going to represent them and their interests. Over a year ago, the process was underway to rid the district of "wayward" reforms that were brought in by a young energetic, idealistic superintendent. These same innovative reforms were celebrated by the local and State media and are still place to this day in the district. He seemed to have had a vision and was able to use data to show and measure the progress of the district and reforms that he instituted. His numbers and initiatives showed that he was doing right by the district. He was well educated and held an earned doctorate.
Plainfield was not ready for such reform from outsider, from one who was not one of their own.
Yes. I am talking about Dr. Steve Gallon. I am also talking about Dr. Brian Bilal. One is from Florida. One is from Plainfield. In an effort to move a reform agenda is doesnt matter where you are from when people are stuck on politics and maintaining the status quo. It is well known that the status quo in Plainfield is failing schools, incompetence, cronyism, nepotism, and politics.
In the midst of the gang violence and deaths of young people right here in Plainfield over the past six months who are usually black or hispanic, these two gentleman defied the odds and could have served as positive role models for the youth, especially black male youth in Plainfield.
But it won't be. The reason that it won't be has nothing to do with their ability, qualifications, credentials, work ethic, or knowledge. Those are matters that seem to apply to the current Board and district leadership. They won't win or succeed because of their ability, qualifications, credentials, work ethic, or knowledge. They win and succeeed because of their politics. They so do even at the expense of the students and downward spiral of the district.
It has everything to do with politics in Plainfield, New Jersey. Period.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
On Cowards and Politics
The mailer I received on the City Council Election is sickening. The sponsor and author shows his cowardice and what type of person he is by attacking the daughter of one of the candidates. My support for either team is not important. What is important is that I do not support below the belt, gutter politics that have become a staple of Plainfield over the past several years and of which too many of us by continuing to elect these people continue to tolerate.
This type of politics and campaigning is not only a reflection on the sponsor, author or people that are running, it is really a reflection on the community because such mailers and campaign talk clearly state that we the electorate will easily fall for it. This was the type of rhetoric that got the Grand Slam Team elected last year. They campaigned on lies and distortions against Dr. Gallon that can finally be read in the Executive Session Minutes that are now on Maria's Blog. The personnel matter can be now seen for what it is, something that the Minutes reflect Wilma Campbell knew all of the time. It seemed to had been the lawyers hand in the personnel matter and the South Plainfield enrollment issue. Both, to quote a fellow blogger, "rang hollow" but eventually accomplished their goal of getting the superintendent out of office.
So if personnel and ethics was the issue, why are we a year later facing a situation where a member of the Grand Slam Team is going to have to be removed because he is a convicted felon, a principal has been hired that did not meet the minimum qualifications while Campbell is the HR Chair, and the Board President has shown herself to be the most rude, uncouth person in a position of leadership? I dont know her but read her remarks to Olddoc and could not believe that they came from the person to be representing our district and students.
I could not resist using this as an example of how the electorate continues to be fooled by dirty politics, lies, and sensationalism. The mailer that implicated a candidates daughter that interned at PMUA was not fair, inappropriate and cowardly. There are some areas that should be sacred in politics and that is one's family and children. There have been well documented reports that even the lowest career criminals have established such codes of respect and honor in not offending one's family or children, i.e., the Mafia. They have a code.
In the Politics of Plainfield there seems not to be a code of honor or respect among some politicians who will do, say, or mail anything to get themselves or their team elected.
We can no longer fault them when they are successful. We need to fault ourselves for falling for this silly games of lies, cowardice, and deceit. Their success in getting elected over and over again is our failure.
I thought I had seen it all last year during the school board election. After learning what I knew from my own research and seeing it confirmed in the Executive Session Minutes posted on Marias Blog, I had hoped that many, especially after seeing the district's decline in performance over the last year and rise in incompetence, cronyism, and politics, the electorate would learn and do better. I guess we will see this week. on Wednesday we will learn and know more about who we are and where we are headed. With the high taxes, rise in violent crime, and rampant incompetence at both the City and the BOE, I am sure that many will be heading out of Plainfilelf if things don't get better in the Queen City.
This week will be a test. It will show rather or not Plainfield is going to rid this community of cowardly politicians.
The recent mailer attacking the daughter of a candidate shows that we have at least one that is still in power.
This type of politics and campaigning is not only a reflection on the sponsor, author or people that are running, it is really a reflection on the community because such mailers and campaign talk clearly state that we the electorate will easily fall for it. This was the type of rhetoric that got the Grand Slam Team elected last year. They campaigned on lies and distortions against Dr. Gallon that can finally be read in the Executive Session Minutes that are now on Maria's Blog. The personnel matter can be now seen for what it is, something that the Minutes reflect Wilma Campbell knew all of the time. It seemed to had been the lawyers hand in the personnel matter and the South Plainfield enrollment issue. Both, to quote a fellow blogger, "rang hollow" but eventually accomplished their goal of getting the superintendent out of office.
So if personnel and ethics was the issue, why are we a year later facing a situation where a member of the Grand Slam Team is going to have to be removed because he is a convicted felon, a principal has been hired that did not meet the minimum qualifications while Campbell is the HR Chair, and the Board President has shown herself to be the most rude, uncouth person in a position of leadership? I dont know her but read her remarks to Olddoc and could not believe that they came from the person to be representing our district and students.
I could not resist using this as an example of how the electorate continues to be fooled by dirty politics, lies, and sensationalism. The mailer that implicated a candidates daughter that interned at PMUA was not fair, inappropriate and cowardly. There are some areas that should be sacred in politics and that is one's family and children. There have been well documented reports that even the lowest career criminals have established such codes of respect and honor in not offending one's family or children, i.e., the Mafia. They have a code.
In the Politics of Plainfield there seems not to be a code of honor or respect among some politicians who will do, say, or mail anything to get themselves or their team elected.
We can no longer fault them when they are successful. We need to fault ourselves for falling for this silly games of lies, cowardice, and deceit. Their success in getting elected over and over again is our failure.
I thought I had seen it all last year during the school board election. After learning what I knew from my own research and seeing it confirmed in the Executive Session Minutes posted on Marias Blog, I had hoped that many, especially after seeing the district's decline in performance over the last year and rise in incompetence, cronyism, and politics, the electorate would learn and do better. I guess we will see this week. on Wednesday we will learn and know more about who we are and where we are headed. With the high taxes, rise in violent crime, and rampant incompetence at both the City and the BOE, I am sure that many will be heading out of Plainfilelf if things don't get better in the Queen City.
This week will be a test. It will show rather or not Plainfield is going to rid this community of cowardly politicians.
The recent mailer attacking the daughter of a candidate shows that we have at least one that is still in power.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
WILL THOSE ELECTED TO UPHOLD THE LAW FOLLOW IT?
As I said before, it wasn't personal. But now it is the law.
Any BOE Member that was convicted of certain crimes cannot serve as a member of the Board of Education. And it is not about whether one likes the person or not.
The law is the law.
Will our elected officials at the BOE show leadership and respect for the law?
According to today's Courier News, it appears that this will not be the case. You can read the article for yourself at http://plainfield.injersey.com/
How much time and money will be spent on fighting something that was unanimously passed into law by our elected officials? I waited until the Bill was signed and for the person that may be affected to honorably step down.
Service to this community as described in the very same article does not have to come as a BOE member. Here again is the double-standards mentality that is shown by the new Board Majority. In the article, the BOE President has also seemed to take a position as the leader of the Board that is critical of the law that she was elected to uphold. This would clearly put the BOE at odds with Assemblyman Jerry Green, those who voted unanilmously for it, and the Governor who signed it into law.
What does the Board say to a teacher or administrator if they adopt a policy or rule that may affect current employees? Disregard the policy or rule? I think not.
This is the democratic process at work. This is what makes this country great.
It seems that Mr. Abdull Haqq was no stranger to breaking the law when he was caught and convicted of possessing heroin, this after having two disordely persons offense. By my count, that is three separate brushes with the law by Mr. Abdull Haqq---three strikes for a member of the Grand Slam Team. Three strikes always means out.
Mr. Abdull Haqq can still hit a home run in the area of leadership and respect for the law. He can show respect for the law and a sense of honor and duty that he may have shown during his service in the Army by respecting and upholding the law.
He can do this by stepping down.
Any BOE Member that was convicted of certain crimes cannot serve as a member of the Board of Education. And it is not about whether one likes the person or not.
The law is the law.
Will our elected officials at the BOE show leadership and respect for the law?
According to today's Courier News, it appears that this will not be the case. You can read the article for yourself at http://plainfield.injersey.com/
How much time and money will be spent on fighting something that was unanimously passed into law by our elected officials? I waited until the Bill was signed and for the person that may be affected to honorably step down.
Service to this community as described in the very same article does not have to come as a BOE member. Here again is the double-standards mentality that is shown by the new Board Majority. In the article, the BOE President has also seemed to take a position as the leader of the Board that is critical of the law that she was elected to uphold. This would clearly put the BOE at odds with Assemblyman Jerry Green, those who voted unanilmously for it, and the Governor who signed it into law.
What does the Board say to a teacher or administrator if they adopt a policy or rule that may affect current employees? Disregard the policy or rule? I think not.
This is the democratic process at work. This is what makes this country great.
It seems that Mr. Abdull Haqq was no stranger to breaking the law when he was caught and convicted of possessing heroin, this after having two disordely persons offense. By my count, that is three separate brushes with the law by Mr. Abdull Haqq---three strikes for a member of the Grand Slam Team. Three strikes always means out.
Mr. Abdull Haqq can still hit a home run in the area of leadership and respect for the law. He can show respect for the law and a sense of honor and duty that he may have shown during his service in the Army by respecting and upholding the law.
He can do this by stepping down.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Plainfield High School Principal Should Stay
I am taking a position on the Plainfield High School principal, Dr. Brian Bilal. I don't care if it is not popular with the BOE or the administration. The community wants answers.
Today's Courier News ran a story on the fact that the Plainfield BOE is planning on not renewing Dr. Bilal's contract despite him having made progress over the past several years.
Read here: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110527/NJNEWS/305270033/Plainfield-principal-hanging-on?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
This seems to be a pattern of this BOE. They seem to not want to retain young, competent administrators that have documented their progress and the fact they they are making a difference. I am a white male and have stated my support of the work that Dr. Gallon did in the district. Add Dr. Bilal to this list based on his improvement of Plainfield High School. I don't know neither but met Dr. Gallon once at a community event. My support is based on facts and data that no one seems to want to look at including this interim superintendent and BOE that have decided that he should not return next year. Why?
Dr. Bilal is up for tenure in the district. He did his time. It will be nearly 3 years and a day in which he would have served the district in which according to the article he hasn't missed a day of work. The Interim Superintendent who, according to some of the comments that I received on another post pointing me to this story, has never served as a school principal or vice principal, yet has decided to that Dr. Bilal should not return as principal next year. She naturally hid behind the "no comment" cover which is often used by officials when it comes to personnel issues. Seems though she has also mastered this two liner when it came to the Cook School plan according to Maria's Blog in which she simply didn't answer questions regarding plans for Cook.
This is yet another Grand Slam decision. They appointed her as interim superintendent after Gallon's ouster. If it is in fact true that she never served as a school principal or even vice principal, then one would question what criteria, if not data is being used to not bring Dr. Bilal back.
According to the article Dr. Bilal improved test scores, reduced suspensions and raised graduation rates. He also increased advanced placement studies and had the school removed from the state's list of dangerous schools. These achievements seem to be aligned with the goals that were laid out on the district's strategic plan developed by Gallon in which he also achieved in these areas. What is with this place coming to? What are they doing here?
These guys seemed to had been moving the school and district forward only to be thwarted by decisions that had no rhyme or reason. We know that Gallon's hiring of staff began a series of events that fueled public discontent and ended up with him being charged in the South Plainfield matter although the OFAC report shows that the hiring issue was mainly a function of an incompetent HR department and the South Plainfield matter was dismissed without ever going before a grand jury. But what is this with Dr. Bilal? He is a product from the community and graduate from Plainfield High school.
If after reading today's article the community does not have questions, well I do.
Interim Superintendent Belin Pyles and Board President Hernandez why are you two deciding to get rid of a man who has seemed to have done a good job at the school?
Why would you want to continue the instability of leadership of the high school?
What information or data are you using to decide not to bring Dr. Bilal back?
Are there other principals that are not being brought back next year?
Are you using the same criteria to determine who stays and who goes as a principal for next year?
Are there other principals that were hired after Dr. Bilal?
Has Dr. Bilal and other district administrators been evaluated according to the law?
What role if any does the HR department have in this decision?
These are questions that should be answered by this administration and BOE.
Should Dr. Bilal be allowed to stay as principal of Plainfield High School?
Why is Ms. Belin Pyles and the BOE taking this action against Dr. Bilal?
Can anyone shed some light?
Today's Courier News ran a story on the fact that the Plainfield BOE is planning on not renewing Dr. Bilal's contract despite him having made progress over the past several years.
Read here: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110527/NJNEWS/305270033/Plainfield-principal-hanging-on?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
This seems to be a pattern of this BOE. They seem to not want to retain young, competent administrators that have documented their progress and the fact they they are making a difference. I am a white male and have stated my support of the work that Dr. Gallon did in the district. Add Dr. Bilal to this list based on his improvement of Plainfield High School. I don't know neither but met Dr. Gallon once at a community event. My support is based on facts and data that no one seems to want to look at including this interim superintendent and BOE that have decided that he should not return next year. Why?
Dr. Bilal is up for tenure in the district. He did his time. It will be nearly 3 years and a day in which he would have served the district in which according to the article he hasn't missed a day of work. The Interim Superintendent who, according to some of the comments that I received on another post pointing me to this story, has never served as a school principal or vice principal, yet has decided to that Dr. Bilal should not return as principal next year. She naturally hid behind the "no comment" cover which is often used by officials when it comes to personnel issues. Seems though she has also mastered this two liner when it came to the Cook School plan according to Maria's Blog in which she simply didn't answer questions regarding plans for Cook.
This is yet another Grand Slam decision. They appointed her as interim superintendent after Gallon's ouster. If it is in fact true that she never served as a school principal or even vice principal, then one would question what criteria, if not data is being used to not bring Dr. Bilal back.
According to the article Dr. Bilal improved test scores, reduced suspensions and raised graduation rates. He also increased advanced placement studies and had the school removed from the state's list of dangerous schools. These achievements seem to be aligned with the goals that were laid out on the district's strategic plan developed by Gallon in which he also achieved in these areas. What is with this place coming to? What are they doing here?
These guys seemed to had been moving the school and district forward only to be thwarted by decisions that had no rhyme or reason. We know that Gallon's hiring of staff began a series of events that fueled public discontent and ended up with him being charged in the South Plainfield matter although the OFAC report shows that the hiring issue was mainly a function of an incompetent HR department and the South Plainfield matter was dismissed without ever going before a grand jury. But what is this with Dr. Bilal? He is a product from the community and graduate from Plainfield High school.
If after reading today's article the community does not have questions, well I do.
Interim Superintendent Belin Pyles and Board President Hernandez why are you two deciding to get rid of a man who has seemed to have done a good job at the school?
Why would you want to continue the instability of leadership of the high school?
What information or data are you using to decide not to bring Dr. Bilal back?
Are there other principals that are not being brought back next year?
Are you using the same criteria to determine who stays and who goes as a principal for next year?
Are there other principals that were hired after Dr. Bilal?
Has Dr. Bilal and other district administrators been evaluated according to the law?
What role if any does the HR department have in this decision?
These are questions that should be answered by this administration and BOE.
Should Dr. Bilal be allowed to stay as principal of Plainfield High School?
Why is Ms. Belin Pyles and the BOE taking this action against Dr. Bilal?
Can anyone shed some light?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
SHOULD A CONVICTED FELON BE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE PLAINFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION?
This isn't personal. It can't be as I have not met the person in question.
Although there are over 600 school districts throughout New Jersey, Plainfield will find itself again in the unique position of potentially having to remove a sitting school board member. Despite the unusual silence from a usual voiceful Board of Education and community, the legislation to bar those convicted of crimes from serving on school boards and requiring board members to undergo criminal checks was approved again and is moving through the process.
Frankly, at this point it really doesn't matter what many have spoken locally think or feel about this issue. There were some emotional remarks about second chances and turning one's life around of which I understand. Despite their being a splash of articles and commentary about whether the current school board member should be removed for his past criminal record and conviction, the elected officials in Trenton, including our very own Assemblyman, clearly and unanimously stated their position in their 76 to 0 approval of the Bill. The slightly revised version of one that passed the Legislature in February was conditionally vetoed by the governor.
Apparently, the Governor's veto was not a sign of hope for convicted felons currently serving on school board. It was a notice that the Bill would be signed once the stronger language was included. The conditional veto added language barring people convicted of bias intimidation and any fourth degree crime involving a child. The bill also would require each member of a board of education to undergo a criminal history background check within 30 days of being elected or appointed.
Clearly, he wanted to make the Bill even tougher and place board members that are convicted felons on notice that their time is up.
Under the bill, any person elected or appointed to a board of education would be disqualified from serving if they have been convicted of any crime that, under existing law, would disqualify them from being employed in a public school. The cost of the criminal background check will be the responsibility of the school board member, but unexpended campaign funds may be used in the case of an elected member.
The Bill it would also amend the oath of office taken by new board members to include a specific declaration that the member is not disqualified from service due to conviction of one of those crimes and any member who falsely swears that he or she is not disqualified would face penalties of up to 18 months in prison and $10,000 in fines.
The revised Bill was sent back to the Senate.
The crimes included under the bill include any crime of the first or second degree; an offense involving the manufacture, transportation, sale, possession, distribution or habitual use of a controlled dangerous substance or "drug paraphernalia; a crime involving the use of force or the threat of force to or upon a person or property including, but not limited to, robbery, aggravated assault, stalking, kidnapping, arson, manslaughter and murder; a third degree crime, or any of the following crimes: recklessly endangering another person; terroristic threats; criminal restraint; luring, enticing child into motor vehicle structure or isolated area; causing or risking widespread injury or damage; criminal mischief; burglary; threats and other improper influence; perjury and false swearing; resisting arrest; any crime of the fourth degree involving a victim who is a minor; or conspiracy to commit or an attempt to commit any of the aforesaid crimes.
The Bill is for those that were convicted of the crimes listed above. It does not apply to instances in which a person may have been arrested or even charged with such crimes. Sadly, we just lost from the Board a law abiding citizen with a clean record and known service to the community in Lenny Cathcart. There were other candidates last year with impecable resumes, records of service, and yes, clean criminal backgrounds that were not elected to the Board.
This issue would again place the Plainfield Board of Education in the middle of this debate. A member of the Grand Slam Team has been identifed as a convicted felon that would be subject to removal. That would leave the Grand Slam Team slate that swept last year's board election down to two after one member who was an educator decided not to run after only one year in office. Was her decision not to run due to district's gloomy financial picture, signs of what would be a failed reform agenda, an inability to keep campaign promises, politics, knowledge of the limited powers that board members have to run the daily affairs, or all of the above? I guess we will never know.
What we do know is that the Grand Slam Team and the Plainfield Board of Education is going to have to show real leadership and practice what it preaches. Accountability. Transparency. Ethics. Honesty. Law.
These will be guiding words that will shape how they deal with one of their own who just last year served as Vice President and held major sway on the runnings in the district.
The Board and community have been extremely silent on this issue.
Should a convicted felon be allowed to serve in a position of leadership and authority over a school district when the people employed in the district under that authority could not be hired if they were convicted of similar crimes?
This is a question that will have to be answered soon. It is my hope that the Board of Education lead and the convicted board member bow out graciously and step down. Any other option would be politics as usual in the Queen City.
No more silence. Let's get it out in the open and talk about it.
What do you think?
Should a convicted felon be allowed to continue to serve on the Plainfield Board of Education when the law passes? Yes or No.
Remember, it is not personal.
Although there are over 600 school districts throughout New Jersey, Plainfield will find itself again in the unique position of potentially having to remove a sitting school board member. Despite the unusual silence from a usual voiceful Board of Education and community, the legislation to bar those convicted of crimes from serving on school boards and requiring board members to undergo criminal checks was approved again and is moving through the process.
Frankly, at this point it really doesn't matter what many have spoken locally think or feel about this issue. There were some emotional remarks about second chances and turning one's life around of which I understand. Despite their being a splash of articles and commentary about whether the current school board member should be removed for his past criminal record and conviction, the elected officials in Trenton, including our very own Assemblyman, clearly and unanimously stated their position in their 76 to 0 approval of the Bill. The slightly revised version of one that passed the Legislature in February was conditionally vetoed by the governor.
Apparently, the Governor's veto was not a sign of hope for convicted felons currently serving on school board. It was a notice that the Bill would be signed once the stronger language was included. The conditional veto added language barring people convicted of bias intimidation and any fourth degree crime involving a child. The bill also would require each member of a board of education to undergo a criminal history background check within 30 days of being elected or appointed.
Clearly, he wanted to make the Bill even tougher and place board members that are convicted felons on notice that their time is up.
Under the bill, any person elected or appointed to a board of education would be disqualified from serving if they have been convicted of any crime that, under existing law, would disqualify them from being employed in a public school. The cost of the criminal background check will be the responsibility of the school board member, but unexpended campaign funds may be used in the case of an elected member.
The Bill it would also amend the oath of office taken by new board members to include a specific declaration that the member is not disqualified from service due to conviction of one of those crimes and any member who falsely swears that he or she is not disqualified would face penalties of up to 18 months in prison and $10,000 in fines.
The revised Bill was sent back to the Senate.
The crimes included under the bill include any crime of the first or second degree; an offense involving the manufacture, transportation, sale, possession, distribution or habitual use of a controlled dangerous substance or "drug paraphernalia; a crime involving the use of force or the threat of force to or upon a person or property including, but not limited to, robbery, aggravated assault, stalking, kidnapping, arson, manslaughter and murder; a third degree crime, or any of the following crimes: recklessly endangering another person; terroristic threats; criminal restraint; luring, enticing child into motor vehicle structure or isolated area; causing or risking widespread injury or damage; criminal mischief; burglary; threats and other improper influence; perjury and false swearing; resisting arrest; any crime of the fourth degree involving a victim who is a minor; or conspiracy to commit or an attempt to commit any of the aforesaid crimes.
The Bill is for those that were convicted of the crimes listed above. It does not apply to instances in which a person may have been arrested or even charged with such crimes. Sadly, we just lost from the Board a law abiding citizen with a clean record and known service to the community in Lenny Cathcart. There were other candidates last year with impecable resumes, records of service, and yes, clean criminal backgrounds that were not elected to the Board.
This issue would again place the Plainfield Board of Education in the middle of this debate. A member of the Grand Slam Team has been identifed as a convicted felon that would be subject to removal. That would leave the Grand Slam Team slate that swept last year's board election down to two after one member who was an educator decided not to run after only one year in office. Was her decision not to run due to district's gloomy financial picture, signs of what would be a failed reform agenda, an inability to keep campaign promises, politics, knowledge of the limited powers that board members have to run the daily affairs, or all of the above? I guess we will never know.
What we do know is that the Grand Slam Team and the Plainfield Board of Education is going to have to show real leadership and practice what it preaches. Accountability. Transparency. Ethics. Honesty. Law.
These will be guiding words that will shape how they deal with one of their own who just last year served as Vice President and held major sway on the runnings in the district.
The Board and community have been extremely silent on this issue.
Should a convicted felon be allowed to serve in a position of leadership and authority over a school district when the people employed in the district under that authority could not be hired if they were convicted of similar crimes?
This is a question that will have to be answered soon. It is my hope that the Board of Education lead and the convicted board member bow out graciously and step down. Any other option would be politics as usual in the Queen City.
No more silence. Let's get it out in the open and talk about it.
What do you think?
Should a convicted felon be allowed to continue to serve on the Plainfield Board of Education when the law passes? Yes or No.
Remember, it is not personal.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Do We Need more Options in Plainfield for our Students?
There has been much discussion about how charter schools are "destroying" the Plainfield Public Schools. First, charter schools are public schools of choice that are state-funded but privately operated. There is no tuition for attending a charter school. The uninformed statements by educators and elected officials that charter schools are taking away from "public" schools is misleading and well, let me be blunt, incorrect. It is yet another way to distort truth and facts for a particular agenda.
The idea that here in Plainfield the rise in the number of charter schools has led to downfall of the district's schools is also misleading. The district's schools have been in a downward spiral during the past decade. Both middle schools are up for restructuring because they have failed to make academic progress for many years. Basically the students are not learning or progressing as they should be. Based on Dan's post, the district administration does not seem to have a clear cut plan to deal with these schools or the tenured teachers that are ultimately responsible for the many years of failure. Shouldnt this be a priority of the Board?
That is why I believe that without local educational choices other than a failing school district our parents will be forced to keep their children in the district's schools and basically have them trapped in a system that has proven time and time again that is unable to properly educate their children. They has also been unable to do so despite having the largest budget in the City and having received millions of dollars during the same period either through Abbott or the recent Stimulus funding.
That is why I believe that without local educational choices other than a failing school district our parents will be forced to keep their children in the district's schools and basically have them trapped in a system that has proven time and time again that is unable to properly educate their children. They has also been unable to do so despite having the largest budget in the City and having received millions of dollars during the same period either through Abbott or the recent Stimulus funding.
Those that argue against charter schools and giving our students more educational choices are arguing FOR the status quo. From the local teacher's union that protects ineffective and incompetent teachers many of which have been in the failing schools year after year, to a seemingly innefective Board that is more concerned with who gets hired and gets what contract, our district schools under the current structure have shown that they are unable to educate our students. This is a priority that should be shared by teachers, administrators, and members of the Board. Obviously, it is not. Many of the comments that I have received reveal a system that is more concerned with power, control, and revenge than the education of students. It continues to not seem like a place for reform and innovation when it comes to education of students. Is this the case?
For example, Plainfield High School has long been considered an institution of failure when it comes to preparing students for college and employment. This is not my opinion as I have looked at the state data for Plainfield High School School. Based only on graduation rates alone, the school has failed for the past decade. This is a failure on the part of everyone, but mainly teachers that have been teaching at the school for years and in some cases decades, but have become comfortable with the school's failure. From everything that I have read teachers are mainly responsible for students learning.
I am glad that there is now a charter school serving high school students which will give more parents a choice when it comes to sending their children to a high school in the community. This will further push the high school to improve. On another note, the high school principal now seems to being pushed out despite having not been evaluated as required by law and despite making gains in the school, notably the graduation rate which should be a critical marker for high school success. I hope that this isn't the case.
The argument against charter schools in Plainfield is not an argument based on education. It is an argument that is steeped in squabbles over money. Those in the district would rather fight to keep more money for high paying administrators, contracts for friends and cronies, large lawsuit settlements, teacher and administrator raises in a down economy and decreasing revenue rather than use the threat of increased charter schools to improve their own system which will eventually improve education for all students in Plainfield.
When will the fight and argument be based on what is needed to provide a better education for our students?
When will the question also be asked about how charter schools do more with less and have teachers, principals, and boards that keep education as the number one priority?
Charter schools have the freedom to set their own rules with regard to curriculum, teaching styles, and flexibility with hiring, salary and benefits and are usually free of the politics of local school districts and boards such as what we have here in Plainfield
There are other advantages of charter schools which can be valuable in improving our school district and giving better options to our students that are currently trapped in the failing Plainfield Public Schools.
Should we fight to stop charter school in Plainfield? If so, why?
Do you think our district is properly using resources to educate our students for the 21 century?
Is the Plainfield school district focused on education as it should be?
Why have our students been failing over the past decade?
What role do teachers, principals, parents, administrators, and board members have in the documented failure of many of our schools?
When charter schools fail, they get shut down. What should we do with a failing district?
Send me your thoughts.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
ON COMMENTS AND KEEPING QUIET
I was graciously welcomed to the new world of blogging in Plainfield by Dan Damon of Plainfield Today. I appreciate the "tips" he provided me and the few words of wisdom he gave me about this new undertaking. What Dan didn't prepare me for were the comments that bloggers receive from people speaking on various posts. I had opened up my blog by reflecting on the recent school board election and former superintendent Steve Gallon.
I was going to periodically revisit this case and share some of the documents that I had in my possession but had moved on to my recent posts on the district reduction plan. I thought that as people lose their jobs the BOE would be reminded not to take away from students and teachers. I read that the BOE challenged the teacher' union to work with the administration to save jobs. That is a great idea and a sign of leadership by the BOE. Let's see if there is similar leadership at the helm of the teacher's union. I even offered a few suggestions myself. But some of the comments I received both in support and against Dr. Gallon made me wonder. Why would some people want me to leave it alone, be quiet, let sleeping dogs lay, or the let the "deceased die" which included other statements that I dare not repeat? Why was there such deep seeeded hatred by some?
Everything I have learned about this case I read in about 10 public documents that are either online or available through OPRA at the district or State. I knew that there was a period of turmoil under former Superintendent Steve Gallon that involved the certification of his two of his people that joined him for Florida that eventually ended in him being charged with allowing two children to attend school under his address in the neighboring South Plainfield School district.
I also knew that a new Board majority made a move to oust him within two weeks after being sworn in to office. Before I get a comment on this look at the timeline. Based on official records the new BOE began this action on a matter that previous BOE had already dealt with. Was it double jeopardy? This same new Board majority eventually settled with Gallon, paid him over $100k of our taxpayer's dollars and who knows what to their lawyers. Their settlement indicated that he violated no policy, law or procedures as superintendent although they had made not one, but two accusations through tenure charges that he had before dismissing both sets of tenure charges altogether. Why make the accusation, then settle stating that he did nothing wrong? Although promised there was never an explanation given on this to the public.
The Middlesex prosector's office took a similar path when they essentially dismissed the case by never formally filing charges against Gallon and the pair about the South Plainfield enrollment issue.
What I did not know was that there are many who would rather forget the past and risk repeating it than know more about this saga and learn from it. Some of the hateful comments that were made about Dr. Gallon and even me for having a different point of view shocked me. Dr. Gallon aside, I was basically attacked personally for expressing my views and writing about factual events, facts that are available to the public and media but that went largely ignored in the effort to rid Plainfield of what one person commented the "wicked, corrupt" Dr. Gallon. Even though I don't know him personally, I have not seen proof of his wickedness or that he is corrupt. Any proof is welcomed.
The comments made were mostly personal and not based on his qualifications and record of accomplishments in Plainfield. There were also comments that looked like tips on things I should look into and blog about. Anon 7:38 p.m., I will be forwarding your comment to the Union County Prosecutor's Office.
I have combed through many documents involving Gallon's case. I started out by simply reading the OFAC report done independently by the State in which I could not for the life of me find a reference to Dr. Gallon doing anything illegal. Read for yourself here http://www.scribd.com/doc/29461318/Ofac-Report.
What I did read was an HR department under former Assistant Superintendent Dr. Garnell Bailey that was in disarray. The OFAC investigators mentioned several times that interview records that were requested from HR staff were often not presented or available. Based on an a document submitted to the State, Dr. Bailey resigned from the district before the investigation of her department was concluded.
There are other documents that include names of over 20 employees that were either not certified or were in positions that were not approved by the Board. The documents state that none arrived from Florida with Gallon but were here in the district for years. There is a reference to an employee by name that was hired and employed in Plainfield without completing a background check or being fingerprinted by HR. According to the document, the employee resigned after being directed to have fingerprints taken by Dr. Gallon, not HR.
I revisited some of the above facts to share why I have taken a differring view about this case and that it shows the worse case of how politics can take over in a school district or city. I need only mention former City Administrator Bibi Taylor. She is not serving Plainfield because of politics. What about the hate filled ant-gay flier that was cowardly distributed at City Hall? Some politics want people to scream loud about issues they want at the forefront while some politics would prefer we be quiet.
While watching a movie last night the main character commented to his friend "we must be right". His friend asked him why. He answered "because there are too many people that want me to be quiet".
I was going to periodically revisit this case and share some of the documents that I had in my possession but had moved on to my recent posts on the district reduction plan. I thought that as people lose their jobs the BOE would be reminded not to take away from students and teachers. I read that the BOE challenged the teacher' union to work with the administration to save jobs. That is a great idea and a sign of leadership by the BOE. Let's see if there is similar leadership at the helm of the teacher's union. I even offered a few suggestions myself. But some of the comments I received both in support and against Dr. Gallon made me wonder. Why would some people want me to leave it alone, be quiet, let sleeping dogs lay, or the let the "deceased die" which included other statements that I dare not repeat? Why was there such deep seeeded hatred by some?
Everything I have learned about this case I read in about 10 public documents that are either online or available through OPRA at the district or State. I knew that there was a period of turmoil under former Superintendent Steve Gallon that involved the certification of his two of his people that joined him for Florida that eventually ended in him being charged with allowing two children to attend school under his address in the neighboring South Plainfield School district.
I also knew that a new Board majority made a move to oust him within two weeks after being sworn in to office. Before I get a comment on this look at the timeline. Based on official records the new BOE began this action on a matter that previous BOE had already dealt with. Was it double jeopardy? This same new Board majority eventually settled with Gallon, paid him over $100k of our taxpayer's dollars and who knows what to their lawyers. Their settlement indicated that he violated no policy, law or procedures as superintendent although they had made not one, but two accusations through tenure charges that he had before dismissing both sets of tenure charges altogether. Why make the accusation, then settle stating that he did nothing wrong? Although promised there was never an explanation given on this to the public.
The Middlesex prosector's office took a similar path when they essentially dismissed the case by never formally filing charges against Gallon and the pair about the South Plainfield enrollment issue.
What I did not know was that there are many who would rather forget the past and risk repeating it than know more about this saga and learn from it. Some of the hateful comments that were made about Dr. Gallon and even me for having a different point of view shocked me. Dr. Gallon aside, I was basically attacked personally for expressing my views and writing about factual events, facts that are available to the public and media but that went largely ignored in the effort to rid Plainfield of what one person commented the "wicked, corrupt" Dr. Gallon. Even though I don't know him personally, I have not seen proof of his wickedness or that he is corrupt. Any proof is welcomed.
The comments made were mostly personal and not based on his qualifications and record of accomplishments in Plainfield. There were also comments that looked like tips on things I should look into and blog about. Anon 7:38 p.m., I will be forwarding your comment to the Union County Prosecutor's Office.
I have combed through many documents involving Gallon's case. I started out by simply reading the OFAC report done independently by the State in which I could not for the life of me find a reference to Dr. Gallon doing anything illegal. Read for yourself here http://www.scribd.com/doc/29461318/Ofac-Report.
What I did read was an HR department under former Assistant Superintendent Dr. Garnell Bailey that was in disarray. The OFAC investigators mentioned several times that interview records that were requested from HR staff were often not presented or available. Based on an a document submitted to the State, Dr. Bailey resigned from the district before the investigation of her department was concluded.
There are other documents that include names of over 20 employees that were either not certified or were in positions that were not approved by the Board. The documents state that none arrived from Florida with Gallon but were here in the district for years. There is a reference to an employee by name that was hired and employed in Plainfield without completing a background check or being fingerprinted by HR. According to the document, the employee resigned after being directed to have fingerprints taken by Dr. Gallon, not HR.
I revisited some of the above facts to share why I have taken a differring view about this case and that it shows the worse case of how politics can take over in a school district or city. I need only mention former City Administrator Bibi Taylor. She is not serving Plainfield because of politics. What about the hate filled ant-gay flier that was cowardly distributed at City Hall? Some politics want people to scream loud about issues they want at the forefront while some politics would prefer we be quiet.
While watching a movie last night the main character commented to his friend "we must be right". His friend asked him why. He answered "because there are too many people that want me to be quiet".
Monday, May 2, 2011
Reduction in Force at BOE: Will Students and Teachers be First?
The Plainfield BOE Agenda shows that the district will be considering a Reduction in Force to balance the budget. In this economy I have no problem with the need to cut staff and make sure that the budget is balanced. I have received a few comments that people are already being laid off. Does this have to go the BOE first?
Since the BOE is known for giving away the store in legal fees I hope that proper procedures are being done when it comes to laying people off and is doing so in a professional way. With the new BOE majority in place for over a year now I am sure that all procedures are being followed and this week they wont be approving a plan that already started with people being let go. Or will they?
The main question that the BOE and district should answer in the next few weeks is will teachers and students be first? There has been a lot of talk about bloated administrations and the Governor himself has come down pretty hard on administrator pay. As a failing district that lags behind even other failing districts and a community that continues to see too many of our youth waste away and die in the street, our schools are even more important. I believe that too often we complain and don't offer solutions to our community's problems. I will offer a few suggestions to the BOE. First put teachers and students first.
In the Reduction Plan I hope the BOE considers teachers and students first. Here are a few suggestions:
1. There should be no teachers laid off to save administrators that do not work at schools with students.
2. There should be a total review of certifications and qualifications for all administrators and staff.
3. In light of the controversy last year, any administrator that does not hold the proper certificate should be either laid off or made to teach students if they are qualified to do so.
4. A review of each department should be reviewed for the number of administrators and secretaries.
5. The BOE should know the impact of laying teachers off on the number of students in classes for next year.
6. There should be openness and transparency about how people are selected for layoffs. Asks questions.
7. The BOE and taxpayer's cannot afford to keep people who are in luxury positions. If you really have to ask what the person does, then they are in a luxury position and should not be kept. No politics or favoritism.
8. To save money the BOE should contract out certain duties that don't require a full time person. This has been popular in the private sector and is being used by many in public sectors these days. My former employer did it to save on overtime and employee benefit costs.
9. If a person's has a job that is tied mainly to projects or seasonal activities, then hire someone just to do the project when they are needed.
10. Look at Human Resources and positions that work with staff in the district. If you are laying off then you are not hiring. If you are not hiring then you don't need as many staff in your HR department.
11. There should be not cuts to programs for students at school and there should be money for all of the things students need such as materials, computers, textbooks, and supplies.
The students of Plainfield should be our priority in any reduction plan. If they are the priority then we will value our teachers. We need to make sure that the resources we have go to support students and teachers in the classrooms.
Let's see if the BOE will really put students and teachers first.
Since the BOE is known for giving away the store in legal fees I hope that proper procedures are being done when it comes to laying people off and is doing so in a professional way. With the new BOE majority in place for over a year now I am sure that all procedures are being followed and this week they wont be approving a plan that already started with people being let go. Or will they?
The main question that the BOE and district should answer in the next few weeks is will teachers and students be first? There has been a lot of talk about bloated administrations and the Governor himself has come down pretty hard on administrator pay. As a failing district that lags behind even other failing districts and a community that continues to see too many of our youth waste away and die in the street, our schools are even more important. I believe that too often we complain and don't offer solutions to our community's problems. I will offer a few suggestions to the BOE. First put teachers and students first.
In the Reduction Plan I hope the BOE considers teachers and students first. Here are a few suggestions:
1. There should be no teachers laid off to save administrators that do not work at schools with students.
2. There should be a total review of certifications and qualifications for all administrators and staff.
3. In light of the controversy last year, any administrator that does not hold the proper certificate should be either laid off or made to teach students if they are qualified to do so.
4. A review of each department should be reviewed for the number of administrators and secretaries.
5. The BOE should know the impact of laying teachers off on the number of students in classes for next year.
6. There should be openness and transparency about how people are selected for layoffs. Asks questions.
7. The BOE and taxpayer's cannot afford to keep people who are in luxury positions. If you really have to ask what the person does, then they are in a luxury position and should not be kept. No politics or favoritism.
8. To save money the BOE should contract out certain duties that don't require a full time person. This has been popular in the private sector and is being used by many in public sectors these days. My former employer did it to save on overtime and employee benefit costs.
9. If a person's has a job that is tied mainly to projects or seasonal activities, then hire someone just to do the project when they are needed.
10. Look at Human Resources and positions that work with staff in the district. If you are laying off then you are not hiring. If you are not hiring then you don't need as many staff in your HR department.
11. There should be not cuts to programs for students at school and there should be money for all of the things students need such as materials, computers, textbooks, and supplies.
The students of Plainfield should be our priority in any reduction plan. If they are the priority then we will value our teachers. We need to make sure that the resources we have go to support students and teachers in the classrooms.
Let's see if the BOE will really put students and teachers first.
Friday, April 29, 2011
A Successful Reform Agenda?
The Gallon and Plainfield saga is a classic case of local politics and its impact on educational systems serving students who are the furthest behind and have the greatest needs. Based on court documents read that were filed by Gallon’s attorney to the State in defense of tenure charges brought against him by the new Board majority, “Dr. Gallon arrived committed to providing stability, accountability, and leadership to a district that had experienced a revolving door of superintendents in recent years and had languished academically in its failure to provide an effective, thorough, and efficient education to its students.”
The political demonizing of Gallon during this BOE elections is troubling. One mailer went over the top in characterizing him considering that the Board that selected Gallon went to great lengths to find and hire a quality educational leader and ensure that his background was properly checked. Gallon’s attorney further supports this by stating that Dr. Gallon’s “selection and hiring process required a comprehensive background check that included a review of his criminal history, education, work experience, driving history, credit and finances, a community site visit to his former district, and a media background check. Dr. Gallon successfully met all requirements of this screening which finally included fingerprinting, a medical examination, and a drug screening.”
Gallon seemingly arrived to Plainfield with much fanfare and after a sustained, stable career as a teacher, assistant principal, elementary and high school principal, and district administrator. They had in their new superintendent a published author of several books and one who had served as a university Professor of Educational Leadership, preparing prospective students for school leadership positions. By all accounts, Dr. Gallon seemed to be type of leadership that a failing district such as Plainfield needed---young, well educated, charismatic, energetic, and proven. A review of his experiences in Miami-Dade County shows that he was assigned to some of the most challenging schools, leaving a documented track record of success in student achievement and community involvement.
His formula and approach for improving schools as he had done for nearly twenty years in Miami-Dade seem to had been working and paying great dividends to the Plainfield School District. Noted among his achievements reported in court documents, state reports and the local media, who initially embraced him as Plainfield’s educational messiah, included the development of a Comprehensive Strategic Plan with accountability measures, the launching of K-8 Centers, the creation of a School for the Arts and Advanced Studies, Districtwide Mandatory Student Uniforms, increased community involvement and access through Town Hall Meetings, and the development of an evaluation system for administrators. Based on a State Quality Schools Accountability Continuum (QSAC) Report, principals and district administrators, though required by law, had not been evaluated for nearly four years prior to Gallon’s arrival. This resulted in many earning what has now become highly controversial tenure rights although never having their performance properly evaluated. I read a recent blog which indicated since Gallon's departure principals again have not been evaluated as required by law. I will look into this further.
After only one year, Gallon’s initiatives and approach had shown improvements in the district and according to many, gained positive attention at the State level. In his first year, he had increased student enrollment, student attendance, grant dollars, the graduation rate, and courses and programs for gifted and honors students. Audit findings at the district level had decreased from 37 to 5 over the course of his tenure. Gallon inherited a high school that had been labeled the State only persistently dangerous and a district that had been classified “In Need of Improvement” for several years under the federal guidelines of No Child Left Behind Act. Both labels would be removed from the district after only 18 months of Gallon’s leadership as Plainfield’s Superintendent of Schools. There would also be double-digit gains in each of the five QSAC categories, with Curriculum which had scored the lowest---a sad 8%---realizing the highest gain. This was an area that curren BOE Member Wilma Campbell was listed as the Committee Chairperson for the past several years.
There has been no debate about Gallon’s positive impact on the educational programs for students and operations of the district, and his unique ability to lead. His efforts to lead a positive reform agenda had proven successful. It has been said among certain inner circles that he refused to play "political ball" with old and new power brokers in Plainfield and at the BOE.
For a district that was seemingly headed in the right direction in its overall operations and education of its students, many are still left to ponder want went wrong. Most have resigned themselves to the sad reality that this episode is just another chapter in the book of New Jersey Politics, and even sadder, the persistent problems in the City of Plainfield, New Jersey.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
GRAND SLAM REDUX-WHAT NOW?
The low voter turnout in the Plainfield School Board elections resulted in another sweep by what is becoming infamously known as the Grand Slam Team. This slate headed by Board Member Wilma Campbell has become the power broker of the Plainfield Board of Education since they launched their successful campaign to oust former Superintendent of Schools Steve Gallon and incumbent Board members Martin Cox and Christian Estevez. Even though we are now learning a year later that that the rhetoric about Gallon and his leadership was more smoke than mirrors, the damage seems to already be done the district and our students.
Yesterday's sweep and recent ouster of incumbent Board Member Lenny Cathcart was fueled by more negative campaigning and lies. I will posting more about the facts in the coming weeks. Stay tuned. Their sweep was also fueled by voter apathy and a biased media in the name of the Courier News. Jay Jefferson's Cooke editorial is an example of why readers and subscribers to the Courier News has been reduced by over fifty percent over the past several years. His all out assault on Cathcart seem childish and personal. Cathcart may even wise to consult an attorney to see if Cooke's views are libelous or the Courier's bias crosses the lines of an unfair political endorsement. Further his reference to Gallon over nearly a year ago seems to be sign of desperation in holding on to a person who is long gone and whose educational work was among the best the district had ever witnessed.
Anyway, have things gotten better in the Queen City when it comes to educating students? That is the main question.
Scores have been at the bottom for years. So if it is time to sweep the "slate" clean of incumbents and start anew, Board Member Wilma Campbell who also headed Curriculum since arriving on the Board should be viewed with skepticism. There are major budget problems and many of the positive initiatives of Gallon seemed to have gone by the wayside.
As for Cathcart, many have described him as a caring and sincere Plainfielder who has dedicated his life to the children in this community. I guess his defeat last night is another sign that champions for children no longer have a place in the Plainfield Board of Education. Many I have spoken with share that the new agenda is contracts for lawyers, jobs and promotions for friend, and punishment for enemies.
Yesterday's sweep and recent ouster of incumbent Board Member Lenny Cathcart was fueled by more negative campaigning and lies. I will posting more about the facts in the coming weeks. Stay tuned. Their sweep was also fueled by voter apathy and a biased media in the name of the Courier News. Jay Jefferson's Cooke editorial is an example of why readers and subscribers to the Courier News has been reduced by over fifty percent over the past several years. His all out assault on Cathcart seem childish and personal. Cathcart may even wise to consult an attorney to see if Cooke's views are libelous or the Courier's bias crosses the lines of an unfair political endorsement. Further his reference to Gallon over nearly a year ago seems to be sign of desperation in holding on to a person who is long gone and whose educational work was among the best the district had ever witnessed.
Anyway, have things gotten better in the Queen City when it comes to educating students? That is the main question.
Scores have been at the bottom for years. So if it is time to sweep the "slate" clean of incumbents and start anew, Board Member Wilma Campbell who also headed Curriculum since arriving on the Board should be viewed with skepticism. There are major budget problems and many of the positive initiatives of Gallon seemed to have gone by the wayside.
As for Cathcart, many have described him as a caring and sincere Plainfielder who has dedicated his life to the children in this community. I guess his defeat last night is another sign that champions for children no longer have a place in the Plainfield Board of Education. Many I have spoken with share that the new agenda is contracts for lawyers, jobs and promotions for friend, and punishment for enemies.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Was Gallon the Victim of Selective Prosecution?
Selective Prosecution?
Selective Prosecution happens when a criminal prosecution is brought at the discretion of a prosecutor rather than as a matter of course in the normal functioning of the prosecuting authority's office. To many, it seemed that the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office would have hinged on selective prosecution if they had pursued the charges against Gallon, Kemp, an Kelly.
The answer as to why the State decided to even consider charges against Gallon, Kemp, and Kelly, making it the first known case in New Jersey to ever result in an arrest and attempt to prosecute persons for a school enrollment issue may never be known. Though the attorneys for the defendants called it an “aberration” and had planned to vigorously defend the charges, Kemp and Kelly were initially provided access to the State Intervention option but Gallon was denied. Thomas Ashley, Gallon’s high-powered Newark attorney filed an Appeal to the denial. An argument to the appeal was never heard in court and Gallon was provided the option without any explanation from the State.
The answer as to why the State decided to even consider charges against Gallon, Kemp, and Kelly, making it the first known case in New Jersey to ever result in an arrest and attempt to prosecute persons for a school enrollment issue may never be known. Though the attorneys for the defendants called it an “aberration” and had planned to vigorously defend the charges, Kemp and Kelly were initially provided access to the State Intervention option but Gallon was denied. Thomas Ashley, Gallon’s high-powered Newark attorney filed an Appeal to the denial. An argument to the appeal was never heard in court and Gallon was provided the option without any explanation from the State.
The fact that Gallon, who was embroiled in a bitter battle with a newly elected School Board majority that campaigned publicly on a platform to get rid of him, yet reached a settlement in which he was paid over $100,000.00 is even more troubling and further calls into question how local and possibly state politics are played at the expense of children in one of New Jersey’s most neediest and troubled districts. The new Board majority after only one week in office took action to remove Superintendent Gallon from office. This action along with the actions of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office call into question the real motives around the Gallon saga. Were they working together? Were in local or state politicians involved?
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office on one end should be applauded for not wasting tax payer’s dollars on what seemed to had been an already resolved, victimless matter. However, the question still looms as to the reason that arrests were made and charges were even considered against the trio in the first place. These are questions that may remain unanswered and left to speculation, rumor, or innuendo. People will continue to ask whether the matter was fueled by politics, power, racism, or a combination of the three.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office on one end should be applauded for not wasting tax payer’s dollars on what seemed to had been an already resolved, victimless matter. However, the question still looms as to the reason that arrests were made and charges were even considered against the trio in the first place. These are questions that may remain unanswered and left to speculation, rumor, or innuendo. People will continue to ask whether the matter was fueled by politics, power, racism, or a combination of the three.
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Decline of Plainfield Schools
I am a community member in Plainfield, New Jersey. I am concerned about the way politics have destroyed our community. We continueto be robbed and destroyed by politics.
I am going to start posts about the Plainfield school district which has been on the decline for years. We began to see some positive changes the last few years with Superintendent Steve Gallon. But we know how that ended or do we?
I will be sharing public information about this saga that seemed to have been totally ignored by the local bloggers and media, especially the Courier News.
Stay Tuned and Welcome to my New Blog. I hope you find it informative.
I am going to start posts about the Plainfield school district which has been on the decline for years. We began to see some positive changes the last few years with Superintendent Steve Gallon. But we know how that ended or do we?
I will be sharing public information about this saga that seemed to have been totally ignored by the local bloggers and media, especially the Courier News.
Stay Tuned and Welcome to my New Blog. I hope you find it informative.
Charges to be Dismissed Against Former Plainfield Schools Superintendent Steve Gallon and
Former Schools Superintendent Steve Gallon will not be prosecuted by Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office according to a resolution reached in Middlesex Superior Court on January 31, 2011 in New Brunswick. Those who were following this saga and anxiously waiting for it to unfold in a court room need not wait any longer. The State will not seek to have the matter heard before a Grand Jury. As a result, the charges against him will be dismissed through a State Intervention option in which Gallon’s plea of not guilty to charges involving two children attending school while reportedly residing with him at his South Plainfield residence will still remain on the record according to Superior Court Judge James F. Mulvihill.
Tuition for the few months that the students attended the school was paid at least four months before charges were ever brought against the former superintendent and his co-defendants, Angela Kemp and Lalelia Kelly. Both Kemp and Kelly were two former high-ranking Plainfield district administrators who joined Gallon from Florida when he was appointed Superintendent of the 6,000 student school district in July 1, 2008.
Because of its Tuition Agreement with the two parents, the South Plainfield School district did not bring charges against Gallon, Kemp, and Kelly. The neighboring district, which had been virtually silent through the entire ordeal, never filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Education’s Office.
Most, if not all such cases are directed and handled for resolution through the New Jersey Department of Education. Cases that do not get resolved in the parent’s favor at the Commissioner’s level usually result in an assessment for the payment of tuition being levied against the parents for the cost of educating their child. Even if an allegation of fraud is proven in such matters, according to State law, school cases involving allegations of fraudulent student enrollment are considered Disorderly Persons Offense and are handled at the Municipal Court level.
Nothwithstanding the Tuition Agreement between the parents and South Plainfield, the arrests of the three accused in this case raised more questions than answers.
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