Tonights school committee meeting ended with a big surprise. Hochman blasts the interview process as tainted...Everyone in the committee lashes back at him and said that Mastercola is the best man for the job. I was not happy with Hochman with his over the top tone with the candidates but I do agree that there is not enough evidence that this gentleman coming back to Peabody will have any success. Here are my thoughts.
I would like to know if he was in the first batch of candidates that did not turn up any viable candidates to interview. If not, why did it take a second attempt IF he really wanted to come back to Peabody...If he was such a great employee of the schools, why didn't they do something to keep him here...? In business if they eliminate positions but they really respect and love the employee then they find another position that would keep them. Never give up your assets...So this must mean he was never seen as an asset of Peabody.
The other issue that is really bothering me with this candidate is his actual length of experience as a superintendent. He has been in that role for two years. Lets look at this in sports terms. You have a rookie pitcher (AKA DICE K)that has a great first two years in a ball club that is in AAA. You decide to sign him to a longterm multi-million contract in the majors for those two great years he had in the minor leagues. You have no idea if the player has any endurance or staying power... Why would you put all your eggs in the basket and take such a huge risk at such a critical time for your schools? As always we learn history so that we do not repeat the mistakes of others. I am sure there are many more examples of this and the leaders of our education should have honestly taken a step back and have a much more in-depth conversation like Mrs. Dunn indicated...
During his interview on tv the other night he spoke more about money than he did about education. It could have been to the very weak questions that were being asked by the school committee but I also think most of them had already made their decision on him. This entire school committee had worked with him prior to him leaving and I have a feeling they asked him to come into the process knowing that they could not find someone else. The fact that Kelleher stepped down tells you a lot of the lack of respect for our school district. He did not want to deal with this so called dream team because they did not represent the school district well with how they asked questions and acted during the interview process.
So what does everyone think of the new superintendent?
I know people that are politically connected in the city of Salem where Kelleher is currently in charge of a charter program. The charter program that he is running is the envy of the Salem School District and everyone that seems to know him has nothing but great things to say. I see Hochman out in two years when his buddy Ben runs again.
ReplyDelete"The fact that Kelleher stepped down tells you a lot of the lack of respect for our school district. He did not want to deal with this so called dream team because they did not represent the school district well with how they asked questions and acted during the interview process." What do you mean by this? It seemed they treated Kelleher very well at his interview. And to anonymous Feb.10 at 5:18 - Kelleher was the first person interviewed...the man last night was from the Salem School and they explained he was only in Salem for a little while.
ReplyDeleteWhy does this school committee not like Hochman? They consistently attack him when there is a difference of opinion. Talk about thin skin. If your an elected official you have to listen to other viewpoints and stop attacking people. Beverly Dunne is famous for this. I dont know if this guy is right for the job, but you only get angry when you've done something wrong. This is a huge decision for our schools and this committee has a track record of picking losers. They even gave a raise to a super they gave a lousy review to! Blow the whole committee up and let the mayor pick the super. At least I trust him.
ReplyDeleteRemember the past election they bullied Ben Russell right out of the seat because they would not run as individuals but as a team. McGenney wouldn't even hold a sign or walk a neighborhood. Our School Committee is a joke and I hope to god that Hochman beats them up with all future decisions. I would like to see him run again with Ben and have either Bev or Tom gone from the committee. Tom has already become one of the good ole boys and that is not a good thing when you are really trying to get to the next level....
ReplyDeleteGod help our schools with elected officials like these. Hochman stands up for what he believes and the rest don't like it. Well that's tough sh-t. Grow a set and do whats right for the schools and not your cozy little "team". Making hard decisions is part of the job. When we hear Brandy tell us, I was crying on the way home after a meeting because we cut teachers jobs. Nobodys crying over me when I can't pay my mortgage. It makes me sick. Your elected to be a leader, not a chummy pal of the teachers and parents. Well lead by example and get rid of the crocadile tears.
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeleteI agree. They run as a team! So lets review what the "team" has done for our schools. Hmnn.....It's hard to remember. Well...uh.....Nothing really strikes me as exceptional. Have Mcast scores gone up? Nope, they went done. Have we had a revolving door of subpar superintendents? Yes. Did they give a raise to the subpar super? Yes. Did the "team" violate the open meeting law? Yes, and the two lawyers sitting on the board say nothing. That's true. They gave their temporary super a "hats off" for covering up the PCB issue at an elementary school? They sure did. Did Mcgeney and the gang do nothing when the education mayor screwed up the system? Yeah, the team just went along. I could keep this up but you all get the picture. Stop sucking up and as Bill Belichek says "Do your job".Dont we all the think the "team" has done a wonderful job? NOT......
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ReplyDeleteWithout commenting specifically on the new super's qualifications, I can tell you that this choice seems awfully provincial. Was he hired because he is the most qualified and offered the best vision for the future of the school system or simply because he's one of us from Peabody?
ReplyDeleteNot to mention I would be very concerned with hiring anyone who was part of a past administration here in Peabody. That would be analogous to hiring a coach from a losing program (say the Dolphins or Rams for instance) to be your head coach. There's a reason why pedigree matters in life.
But then again, I guess this is what you get when you continue to elect mediocre candidates like McGeney,Charest, & Rossignoll.
Hochman writes a ridiculous apology in the Peabody weekly. Typical politician backtracking on the issue. Please Mr. Mayor, blow the whole board to smithereens. We don't need this committee as they continue to be irrelevant. The only thing they are good at is spending our money and raising our taxes.
ReplyDeleteI think as a whole the Mayor wants a new masterplan for the city then the review of the city charter and bi-laws should be part of that as well. Maybe their should be an appointed bd vs an elected board. Also, the Mayor should be in for four years and not two.
ReplyDeleteI do not want a mayoral term of 4 years. If Bettencourt turns out to be a lousy mayor, were stuck for 4 years. Two years is just fine. The school committee should not be 4 years. Once again all the problems on that board and the residents are stuck with these people for 4 years.
ReplyDeleteYou can replace 4 of 7 on the school committee every 2 years keith
DeleteFour years is too long to let the "team" destroy what's left of our school system. I agree the Hochman letter was an embaressment.
ReplyDeleteThe verbage by a typical lawyer was so transparent and insincere, I can't believe he wrote it. Oh well, hats off to the team.
Who is "Keith: ?
ReplyDeleteHe was the drummer in the band The Who.
ReplyDeleteNo, he was the guitarist in the Partridge Family
ReplyDeleteAnon, I agree with your description of the whole school board.
ReplyDeleteEspecially the one who wrote the sorry apology in the paper.
Any thoughts on the health insurance vote scheduled for Tuesday?
ReplyDeleteThe union is in trouble. Bettencourt has them over a barrel and won't let up until they concede benefits.
ReplyDeleteOver a barrel? If you really think he has wait until the city council hears the back lash from the city workers and then see what the public reaction will be. Do you really think they'd give up their health insurance with out a fight? Wake up OG and stop trying to make a lot out if nothing.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I have agree with Anon 437pm.
ReplyDeleteI do have a couple of concerns about this though. I hear a lot of citizens complaining about two things: increased crime and lower test scores. It seems that we need to attract more/better police and educations to our city...but how do we plan do to do so? We already pay less than other citys do, and now are on the verge of taking away their biggest incentive to work here?
I guess my major question is this: How are we going to attract qualified professionals to this city if we are not willing to compensate them with competitive pay and/or benefits? If we can't answer this question, then we must accept and prepare for the direction that this city is heading in.
As much as we like our low taxes, we need to reevaluate our priorities. Our property values are plummeting, and the low test scores/increased crime are not helping matters. I can only hope that our councilors are not short-sighted enough to pass this through.
Welcome to the land of Lentiqua better known as Lawrence!
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the first hearing, the city council president has turned his back on the teachers union. After all the years of support we gave him, he does this. What a backstabber.
ReplyDeleteThe city should look to save the max amount. Which means roll into the state plan. The city unions have had it way to good for way to long with regard to healthcare.
ReplyDeleteIt's very rare to have any leverage with the unions, I hope Ted has the stones to do what is right.
vote delayed.
ReplyDeleteThis site is a joke...it averages about 2 new posts a month. Shut it down.
ReplyDeleteBring back the Patriot!