Branford Eagle

posted by: fassett on December 8, 2009  1:02pm

Not to nit pick but… if the superintendent was thinking about retiring why did she go through the trouble of negotiating another multi-year contract? ...

posted by: Becca Bennedict on December 8, 2009  1:05pm

The BOE needs to know - loud and clear - that parents want a part in all phases of the search committee and the process for choosing the parents needs to be open and public. 

It’s NOT business as usual anymore.

posted by: Tisko Parent on December 8, 2009  7:49pm

I don’t think we could have received a better Christmas present then this.  Unfortunitly Halligan has left us with a large mess which will take years to clean up. The BOE (Krause, Prinz and Carrano) backed Halligan and refused to listen to the paretns of this town hopefullly they will be the next to go.

posted by: MICHELE on December 9, 2009  1:19am

gee- isn’t it interesting how there are so many concerns being voiced about student test scores statewide!!  you would never know that if anyone sat in on the Farina hearings- she was set up to sound like she was the ONLY teacher whose class had low scores!!  look out Branford- you will have your day in court!!!  Looking forward to seeing you there Mr.Rose!!

posted by: Becca Bennedict on December 9, 2009  9:05pm

The Farina case had it’s own unique focus, scope, and facts that is distinctly different from the issues and remedies sought by this group of concerned parents whose focus is student learning and how to achieve it.  The objective of the Farina case was obviously of an entirely different nature.  This is not forum to rehash Farina’s case.

posted by: MNotz on December 10, 2009  11:57am

Becca,
You seem to be very uninformed about the information that was disclosed during the Farina hearings. Those hearings disclosed everything from the failing student assessment scores to the lack of training provided to our teachers during the last several years.  It also discussed in detail the new curriculum in Math, Reading, Science and Social Studies that was implemented in 2007 and the newly implemented ELL Pilot program in 2008 that also brought with it a new curriculum and models that were introduced in 2008. The testimony of the MTM 4th grade teachers is quiet disturbing - lack of training, all teachers struggling, implementation of new curriculum with no instructions. If you want to improve student learning and achievement you have to look at what “is” and then formulate the plan on “what can be”.  As a parent, I am very upset and angry over our failing educational system, but I also know that in order to achieve a positive outcome, I have to look at all the information from where every it can be obtained, even if that information is not favorable or of my own opinion.  That would include looking at all the information that was disclosed during the Farina hearings, as well as that which was disclosed at Tuesday nights board meeting and the opinions, thoughts, suggestions and gripes of the parents who may post on these sort of websites. If you, me, we - want the BBOE to listen - then don’t we also have to lead by example and not shut out others from expressing their own comments or point of view?

posted by: Jacqueline on December 17, 2009  12:23am

WOW…isnt it amazing that in her tenure the ONLY thing Frank Carrano can say positive is that she implemented a all-day kindergarten.  Good for her… What about everything she didnt do? WAIT… because it was basically NOTHING.

I agree with Becca that the search for someone new needs to be VERY interactive with the parents and made open and public.

posted by: Pat Santoro on December 18, 2009  4:06pm

It is great that so many parents are involved and want to make a difference. I applaud you. Your biggest hurdle will be Frank Carrano as he presents himself as all knowing and the authority on the educational principles of Branford, CT. There is one fatal flaw, I compare this to the Wizard of Oz, you open the curtain and there is nothing there but a man in a very empty suit.