Sunday, May 31, 2009

Changing the Calculus for Filing Grievances

As usual, I need to remind my readers that I am speaking as a private citizen, these views are solely my own, and I have no authority outside a school board in session.

Our teachers union’s philosophy can be summed in three lines. 1) A happy teacher is a productive teacher. 2) There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. 3) We stand together.

This philosophy, mandatory union contributions, and a pliant school district, has led to a bewildering array of grievances. Yet, over the past ten years, only two decisions regarding the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Teachers Association have been issued by the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission. Only two because the rest were settled.

There are always good reasons to settle – the chance of losing, the cost of fighting, and the damaging effects of poor employee relations. Unfortunately, the constant reflex to settle has essentially invited the union to file grievances in place of negotiating with the administration in good faith.

For example, here are the two cases that weren’t settled:
Docket No. SN-2008-035
The grievance contests the Board’s decision to use the math and science faculty room as a classroom and to have the math and science faculty share the world language and business faculty room.

Docket No. SN-2004-20
The grievance contests the withholding of a computer science teacher's salary increment for the 2003-2004 school year. The Commission concludes that this withholding was triggered by the conclusion that hacking by students into school computers and other student misconduct occurred during the teacher's class.

Are these issues truly worthy of the of the superintendent’s time, not to mention the legal fees? Is the teachers’ legal fund truly being used for these frivolous cases? Yes, because the thinking is that so long as the district knows it’ll be sued for every little thing, it’s less likely to do anything against any teacher.

It doesn’t have to be this way. As soon as the teachers union realizes these petty grievances are not in its best interest, they will stop. I suggest the district consider the following guidelines:

  1. The threat of a grievance filing should not be considered in any administrative or board decision
  2. If the district has a strong case and settling does not offer great benefits, don’t settle
  3. Inform the public of all PERC decisions through the school website
Another option, and this hasn’t been fully considered and is sure to arouse controversy, is to set a separate line-item in the school budget for all grievance related legal fees and establish a policy that would dedicate all unused funds to specific student activities. That would force both the school district and the teachers union to weigh the political repercussions of every grievance filing and would go a long ways towards eliminating frivolous filings.

Lastly, the administration must begin speaking to the teachers directly and not just through the union. The vast majority of teachers put their students first and it’s a grave mistake to believe the union’s position reflects the majority viewpoint among teachers. All the teachers have email. It’s free so let’s use it.

The frivolous grievance filings must end and, as soon as we make the teachers union bare the brunt of the cost, they will. >>> Read more!

174 comments:

Mim Song said...

Your 3 points get better as you go. #3, notifying the public through the website, is great. #2, not settling unless it's worth it is a bit obvious, no? But #1 just sounds arrogant for no good reason. "The threat of a grievance filing should not be considered in any administrative or board decision." Shouldn't the administration negotiate with the affected parties in order to avoid the possibility of a grievance? It seems to be what you suggest later -- reaching out to the teachers instead of letting the union always speak for them first. And refusing to consider the threat of a grievance regardless of the situation is close to ignoring the public interest. You can't be saying that Board members, who have a fiduciary responsibility, should move forward without assessing the risk? If you meant that the Board or administration shouldn't be cowed by the threat, you should have said that.

By the way, a happy professional -- teacher or otherwise -- is a productive professional. Unless the Board's motto is to be "The beatings will continue until morale improves."

Aberdeener said...

Mim Song,

I've missed you dearly and its great to have you back.

The point of #1 is to remove the incentive for threatening a grievance prior to good faith negotiations.

Point #2 had not been followed because it was always "cheaper" to settle. The math was something like pay $1,000 every year or pay $5,000 this year in legal fees and risk losing anyways. But the stance of constantly settling simply encouraged more grievance filings. That's why I say there needs to be "great benefits" to outweigh the benefit of taking a strong stance against the threat of grievance filings.

Lastly, I believe there's a line between a happy worker and a spoiled worker. If you always give the employee what he wants, you'll soon find you're working for him instead of him for you.

THATSAFACTJACK said...

Change will never come as long as tenure and massive teachers union campaign contributions to low life politicians, rule the day.

Let the accusatory union BS begin.

Attack away.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener, a question,

Is the teacher's union for our district strictly for MARSD? If so, how are we to change anything, being that an overwhelming majority of the teachers that support the union live in this town, vote and support the teacher's union, and are basically voting for thier own benefit?

Aberdeener said...

Our teachers union, the Matawan Regional District Teachers Association, is specifically for our district. Carl Kosmyna, its president, began teaching here when Dr. O'Malley was still in pull ups.

Like you say, many of our teachers do live here and even the ones who don't are part of our community. They want our children to have the best education.

Because they are part of our community, I believe we can work together to our mutual benefit. I doubt a majority of them would support the union's tactics if they were fully informed.

Anonymous said...

"I doubt a majority of them would support the union's tactics if they were fully informed."

Aberdeener, What tactics are you referring to?

Aberdeener said...

The tactics I'm referencing are 1) Filing frivolous grievances and 2) Filing grievances before first attempting to negotiate with the administration in good faith.

How can anyone, in good conscience, argue a teacher who allowed his students to commit felonies in the classroom during class time is entitled to a pay raise?

Anonymous said...

How do we know what the real story is. Is the Union frustrated with a lack of cooperation from the Administration? Has the Union attempted to pre-settle grievances? Has the Administration made an honest attempt to work with the Union? I really have no idea what the answers to these questions are. What we do know is that good labor-management relationships are fostered by both sides of the equation.

Anonymous said...

I was wondering what the legqalities of you posting such a piece are? Aren't you as a board memember prohibited in anyway from union bashing?

Anonymous said...

"The frivolous grievance filings must end and, as soon as we make the teachers union bare the brunt of the cost, they will..."

Does that mean they must do it naked?

Aberdeener said...

Hehe. Very good. It should have been "bear the brunt".

As for the legalities of the posting, even board members are allowed to give opinions. I assure you, several lawyers have been reading this blog and I'm careful to stay within my legal rights.

Anonymous said...

Good one Aberdeener-

Are you insinuating that Mr.Kosymna is too old to teach or that Dr. O'Malley is too young to lead the district. I actually think I know your intent and you should be ashamed of yourself. Your disrespect to Mr. Kosmyna and anyone else teaching since Dr. O'Malley was in "pull-ups" is truly an indication of your bias towards our teaching staff.
As it relates to grievances, I think there is specific language in the contract that describes the grievance procedure and who pays which portion.If the board does not violate the contract then the association would, I think ,not file "frivolous " grievances. Your constituents would be interested in knowing the number of grivances filed by the MRTA and the number of grievances they won. Guess what- they wouldn't win if they were wrong.
I wish our teachers luck in their next contract negotiations.I think it is safe to say that you are not too interested in a happy staff.

Aberdeener said...

Too old to teach? Have you ever met Kosmyna? You've got to be kidding. The "insinuation" is that Kosmyna is vastly more experienced than Dr. O'Malley in labor relations.

I realize there's an ongoing campaign to either discredit or silence me. So long as I interest you that much, I'm flattered.

PlumberDave said...

Come on people too old to teach. Ask any student what they learned from Mr. Lloyd for example? I asked my daughter that question and she told me "he taught us most often about how to treat our elders and about being polite". I do not know about you but I respect Mr. Lloyd but I also think there is a limit to instruction that does not benefit a students education in college. My daughter had Mr. Lloyd in her senior year. He did not teach her about report writing or anything else that she was weak in during her freshman year in college. I understand he has put his time in. I also understand that we could also hire two teachers if not more for his salary. Their needs to be a respectful balance I am certain. I also think that balance would be objected to very strongly by the teachers union.

Anonymous said...

So, are you implying that the teachers union should have the right to tell someone when they are to retire? Or do you think they have the power to do so?

I think we should leave that to the board memembers.

Anonymous said...

The only two state pensions with mandatory retirement are police/fire and the troopers. Unless mandatory retirement age is also added to tpaf, Lloyd can stay as long as he damn well pleases.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the currnet board will be trying to change that as well. Maybe they can file a grievance against the teachers union to have an age requirement added for retirement.

Anonymous said...

The vibe I got from one anon. post is that teachers who live in town should not be allowed to vote in school elections either?

I am friends with a few of them in town and tell them this : Good Luck = with this negative environment they will need it.

Now here is the question I pose:

We have removed or replaced principals, new Super, removed people from positions, hired new teachers, got some program called Ed-Sol = if scores do not improve by leaps and bounds - who do we blame then? When do students themselves and parents share any of the blame? I have lived here my whole life and it has always been a pass the buck place. This blog has pointed to blame to past practices, but with all the CHANGE, when do we look ourselves in the mirror as parents and students the same?

Anonymous said...

You truly are a little arrogant man.

Anonymous said...

Maybe we shouldn't let teachers who work in this town teach in this town?

PlumberDave said...

It is obvious that the teachers responding mostly ANONYMOUSLY do not care to look at the obvious.

1 The fact that an elderly teacher is not adding to the EDUCATION of students should be recognized. How many not so elderly teachers are being paid and coddled by the union leadership? That is the problems with unions. they will even defend that which they know is wrong.

2 Grievances are a tool too often used as a pressure tactic or an "I told you so" example.

3 The entire educational system is screwed up from top to bottom and its union is completely and totally based upon the power of the union and the voting block they control. That is not a benefit to anyone but the too powerful and politician controlling NJEA. It is not about the education of students for the NJEA, it is about the power and their members.

MrFF said...

I have to say Plumber Dave, you are right on the mark.

Anonymous said...

I also agree with Plumber Dave. It is suprising that very few of the anon. comments are in favor of what is best for the students.

Power and control for the union and the teachers is all they care about.

stoppickingontheoldguy said...

You can say all you want, but the fact remains, there is no mandatory retirement age in tpaf. Let's be honest here, the guy is at least 90.If the guy wants to spend whatever time he has left working, let him. Look at it this way, he paid into the pension system all those years, and will probably never collect. If he isn't an effective teacher anymore, find some busy work for him, and leave him alone.

Anonymous said...

Why not with his age and years of service he is probably only making enough money to have hired two maybe three new teachers and pay their benefits who might actually teach rather then only be THE NICE OLD MAN AROUND THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Unfortunately there are some younger teachers and many administrators who get paid to do the exact same thing. NOTHING.

Anonymous said...

Why bash teachers?! Most do an excellent job.

It's not the union's fault that the Superintendent chose to settle in cases where the merits of the grievance did not support that action.

Management must do there job. Just let the teachers teach.

Unions for institutions like schools (teachers) and police departments (police officers) are very powerful because they have to combat the political influences of politically active leaders who may attempt to interfere with their jobs for illegitimate reasons.

Yes, they have grown in influence but also management has too often become lackadaisical about challenging union attempts to weaken the role of management. This would be like blaming the spoiled child because of a parent's bad child-rearing skills.

I am not pro-union or pro-management. Just saying that there is a shared responsibility here.

Anonymous said...

A previous post mentioned Kosmyna being to old to teach. He doesn't teach. He "teaches" two periods a day and spends the rest of his time working for the union on the tax payers dime. It is about time the board of education make him do what he is paid to do. This is contractual and needs to be addressed. He gets paid, doesn't teach, another teacher needs to be hired to replace his teaching time and the taxpayers are screwed again. If the teachers worried about the test scores as much as they defend this unions tactics we wouldn't have these problems. When will the board of education finally stand up for the taxpayers and do the right thing with this out of control union and Kosmyna. These grievances cannot be defended. Stop paying him to come up with these ridiculous threats that cost money we don't have.

Anonymous said...

In defense of Mr. Lloyd, I knew about this man years before I ever moved to NJ. I learned about him from a young soldier stationed in Texas who told me all about this one teacher who had taught him more than any other teacher in his school career, and made a huge impact on his life.

Years later, married to that same man, we are hoping Mr. Lloyd will be around next year so that our oldest son will be lucky enough to be in the class.

Some things learned in a class room worth learning are not always from a book. I think, too often these days with "teaching to the test" that is forgotten.

STOP THE INSANITY said...

Over-priced hall monitor is sadly what that man has become. It is a great accomplishment that he has been so dedicated and his longevity is to be applauded.

It is time to think of the taxpayers and seniors who pay into the educational system for far too long. In most cases long after their children have graduated and move on, to an even more expensive education that most often their parents have to pay for as well.

How about those who never had children in the system and pay 70% of their taxes for something they will never use?

Don't give me that "it takes a village" bullshit either.
All we have to do is look at our failed and bloated educational system that seems to be more of a babysitter then an educational institution. When did school systems become child care providers? Kindergarten is at age 6 now all of a sudden 3,4,5 we have to be their Mommies and at a very expensive tax bill to boot.

Stop the insanity!

Take your time before you attack.

NewInTown said...

I find it hysterical, that as soon as someone opposes a post here automatically they are labeled teachers.

I am not a teacher in this district, but I do know from working as a volunteer in schools(other districts)that the adminstrators and penil pushing decsion makers have little or no idea what happens in the classrooms. everyone has great ideas and love to play the blame game, but have no sense of reality.

How many of the board memebers have been teachers in public school classrooms in the last 10 years?

If teachers want to post here anonymously what is the problem with that? 85% of all the other posts are anonymous as well. I wouldn't put my name on a post if i were a teacher in this town either. Actually I wouldn't want to teach or volunteer in the classrooms in this town.

Anonymous said...

No problem, the union drones are entitled to an opinion.

Anonymous said...

You should be ashamed of yourself, Aberdeener. You are now a Board Member, and as such, should not allow personal attacks against teachers. This website is not a place to list specific teachers by name and write disparging remarks. Set a positive example.

Hold the Pickle said...

How about those who never had children in the system and pay 70% of their taxes for something they will never use?

Could be one of the most ignorant statements I have ever read on this blog.

How can you possibly suggest that people without children do not use the system? Do they get sick and see a doctor? Do they use a mechanic to fix their cars? If so, they are benefiting from the school system. Where do you think these people learned the basic skills required to perform those jobs?

Jan on Daniel Drive said...

Unions are in place in the teaching profession for exactly the reason of this dialogue - tenure too.

Who should decide who is too old? Is 65 to old too? 3 or 4 posts brought up money - so if a district such as this which spends alot needs to make a cut - it looks here that many of you would cut at the top.

But we will all complain if the scores are not good - but it seems here that older teachers who make money would be let go if there was no tenure.

I agree with the post above - that when do we look our selves in the mirror? I also agree that we have gone through a lot of change around here. Who DO WE BLAME if scores do not improve? The lunch lady for skimping on cheese, the janitor who missed a spot, or the bus driver who ran 2 minutes late?

SOME of you on here crack me up....

Aberdeener said...

Today, I met Mr. Lloyd for the first time. I learned he served with distinction during WWII and has a fascinating personal history. I hope I have the opportunity to spend more time with him.

I believe the schools need to teach academics and character. I agree there's much we can all learn from Mr. Lloyd.

JustStruggling2Survive said...

HOLD THE PICKLE IS .........

I am not THE TRUTH but that is the truth. How can any of you drones think that a childless couple should have to spend 70% of their money on your kid? That may be harsh but it is fair and equitable to those who are paying a terrible price. We all are now and for a very long time to come will be paying for the EQUAL SHARE OR DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH IDEOLOGY that will very soon bankrupt this nation. No different of course then the devistating financial effects our school taxes have every single day on seniors and others just here in our two towns.

We are not the Abbott school system educational joke that spends $36,000 plus for 11,000 students in the Camden School System. But to spend $361 million dollars in Camden, and to then have a graduation rate of less then 10% is all any honest thinking person needs to know as to how really screwed up the educational system in N.J. really is.

Union members will of course immediately defend that stupidity just to protect their fellow union members jobs. Deep down inside they know the truth. Money, politics and patronage have ruined every society since time began. Our society lately is just taking a whole lot more money to do it.

Obama, Corzine, Sobel and others are just jokes in the pages of history. We are not laughing.

Anonymous said...

Again more proof why this system is broken. Regarding Mr. Lloyd, his age should have nothing to do with anything as long as he is doing his job. But, is he doing his job? A curriculum is written for the class he teaches and he should cover all the material. He then should be evaluated by administration to make sure that is being done and if not he can be forced out. It is that simple and character should have nothing to do with it. The students deserve nothing less. What kind of character is learned when a student doesn't get the subject matter of the class he teaches for his own selfish reasons. If the curriculum is being taught and the students are learning the subject matter then character is a nice bonus and let him do his thing. If not, he should be evaluated as such and teach character elsewhere in a different capacity such as charity work.

Anonymous said...

Where exactly did you meet Mr. Lloyd today?

Anonymous said...

JUSTSTRUGGLINGTOSURVIVE is right on the mark. Thanks for trying to speak honestly in the face of the NJEA thugs.

Anonymous said...

I agree with anon 3 post above. Every teacher regardless of age should be judged on whether they are teaching the curriculum for the class. Character building is fantastic, but it can not be the sole lesson.
If we really want to impart character into our students, we need to expect more quality work from all involved; teachers, administrators, BOE members, students and parents. It is with hard work and achieving greater goals that character is built.

Anonymous said...

The school system for too long has deviated far away from the education of our children. Far too often the teacher is expected to raise the child in all manner of things. Teachers are not Mommy and Daddy.

Back to basics. Let parents parent and let teachers teach.

Anonymous said...

This is to the Anerdeener. I just want to say that once you got elected, what you post on this site is not as a private citizen, its as an elected official. You may think you have it both ways, but that does not work. I have been their many years ago. What you say as a resident is what you are saying as an elected official. It will catch up to you.

Anonymous said...

I agree with anon 3 and that means this district is not doing its job. A board member meets Mr. Lloyd and now everything is okay. Where is the administration on this. Don't be intimidated Mr. Aberdeener, just do the right thing. Without this site this would not even be discussed and the school district continues doing the students an injustice. Maybe things will change with this open dialogue and the right message will be conveyed to the weak administration at the high school. The union doesn't like you looking into the dirty little secrets and will try to bully you from having dialogue with the public. Do the right thing for our students.

Aberdeener said...

Thx, Anon. My meeting with Mr. Lloyd was private and we did not discuss any school matters. I simply enjoyed meeting the man.

As for the school district, I made an oath to "perform all the duties of the office according to the best of my ability." That's what I plan to do.

There are 3800 students in our school district. So long as we're arguing for the right reasons, I encourage the debate.

Anonymous said...

Where did you meet with Mr. Lloyed yesterday?

Anonymous said...

Speaking of dirty little secrets do you think the union is the only one that has them anon? Im sure there are plenty of dirty little secrets on the other side as well!
I'm also sure they don't want the public to find out about those!

Anonymous said...

I for one want to have all the dirty little secrets exposed no matter what side so that we can get back to doing what is right for the students not what is right for the system. If this site does that we will all be better off.

PlumberDave said...

We all must realize is sites like this with topics being discussed and exposed make the likes of Kauff, School Administrators and far more very uncomfortable. The more opposition and name calling coupled with the lack of responses on such subjects as the Koren generator, Vinci land deals and overpriced and unnecessary synthetic athletic fields speak volumes.

Norm said...

Yes Dave, you terrify me. I always said that one day my evil empire would be brought down by a guy who fishes turds out of clogged pipes, and an anonymous moron who calls himself the truth.

theguywhopostedasnorm said...

No disrespect to your profession Dave, I'm in the trades too, just trying to add a little comedy here.

Anonymous said...

The teachers union philosophy needs to be changed. The last board of education had the chance to do that at negotiation time but chickened out do to goon tactics. A majority of that same group that did not serve the public well in that negotiation will be at it again. So my question is why should we believe that anything will change from such a weak group. Why do we have such a pliant school district? Until a majority of this board gets some balls the teachers union will never change its philosophy or its tactics.

tiredofthewhining said...

You know what just boggles the mind? How anti-teacher so many of you are and how much you bash the schools who "don't do enough for you and your kids," yet at conferences (both day and evening) and back-to-school night, only a small percentage of families show up to actually meet with teachers and get involved in their child's education. Forget the Board and teachers union tactics needing to change - parents need to give a damn and show up, be present, and get involved if anything is ever going to change in this or any district.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,
I read an interesting post that suggested that the Union wins the majority of grievances. Can you verify that?

Anonymous said...

Tiredofwhining is right. Parents need to take back the school system. That would be right after they re- associate themselves with their own kids. Don't get me wrong but we are far too often highly critical of teachers who on average spend much more time with our children then we do. It is too true and an unfortunate societal reality that we have allowed government and administrations to be more of a mom or dad toour children. Teachers telling our kids about manners, sexual activity and more is not reading, writing and arithmetic. Far too often the pervasive teaching to the test and the above things that parents used to instruct their children in, do not happen very often. You can see it far too often in the behaviors of children just by watching how they treat their elders in public much less their own parents. Think about all of this before you jump down my throat.

Aberdeener said...

The article lists the only two grievances during the past decade that weren't settled and the district won both.

However, if you include all the grievances that were settled, I believe the union has been very successful. Though, that probably has far less to do with the merits of the grievances than the strength of the union.

Anonymous said...

How can you blame the union's strength for winning a grievance. A grivance is filed because someone has been wronged. Are you implying that the union has so much power that they intimidate judges?

Aberdeener said...

A negotiated settlement is solely between the district and the litigant. To repeat, the union lost the two grievances that weren't settled.

Anonymous said...

What an interesting spin. They have won most of the gievenaces but they lost the two that wern't settled. If they lost; weren't they settled? do you know the number of grievances filed and the number of grievances won?

Aberdeener said...

I think you're confusing a settlement with a judgment.

As for the number of grievances filed, I don't know that number but I believe over a dozen a year is a conservative estimate. That's a guess on my part.

thatsafactjack said...

The problem with the grievance process is that those who caused the grievance to be filed for some mis-step or outright violation of an agreed upon contract point or school policy, are never held accountable.

If a supervisor/administrator/employee makes a judgment call, employs a improper procedure, causes an employee a multitude of problems both minor or major, they themselves far too often have NO ACCOUNTABILITY. That is the problem with the grievance procedure or protocol.

unfortunately it is a situation too often used for petty reasons and to continue a failed system. Gee just like tenure some would say. Just like patronage. Just like... the list goes on and on...

Anonymous said...

How many people talking about forcing Mr. Lloyd out of his job actually have a student in his class?

Just because one person stated that his/her kid didn't learn something in the class? Maybe the kid was too busy texting or doodling a boy's name in her notebook? I'm not saying that's the case, but let's not assume that because a kid didn't have, in her parents opinion, a skill that it is one teacher's fault, just because he was the last teacher she had in HS.

It's ridiculous to turn this into a witch hunt for one teacher. Just because someone is elderly doesn't mean that he can't teach.

Anonymous said...

He is being coddled and hidden. He is being assisted and is costing us more money. It is time for him to go. He is not alone.

My daughter an honor student told me the same thing a couple of years ago. That little fact was that he often was shall we say confused and sleepy. That was not one of the seven dwarfs by the way.

Save your time I know they like to be called Little People now a days.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener - How can you blame the strength of the union for the willingness of the superintendent to settle grievances? The problem here is the weakness of management, not the strength of the union.

I want a strong union that only takes what they think are legitimate grievances forward. I want management that works with the union to resolve legitimate grievances and contests the ones that are not.

Aberdeener, you seem to have an anti-union bias. Do you even know the outcomes of the ones that were settled? Were they settled by the union withdrawing the grievance, by management caving in, by legitimate compromise? It seems that many people on here have come to conclusions without knowing the facts. I expect a board member to have more responsibility than that.

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

On the first point, you are absolutely correct and I thank you for correcting me.

On the second point, my opinion is based upon a series of anecdotal cases that I believe form a pattern and justify drawing a conclusion.

Unfortunately, those cases are not public.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener:
Sorry to change the subject, but I just read on the MARSD website that there is a confirmed case of
H1N1 flu at Ravine Drive. What are the plans for cleaning? Will the other schools be sanitized as well?
Thanks for answering.

Anonymous said...

http://www.marsd.org/marsd/lib/marsd/RDS_Swine_Flu.pdf

Aberdeener said...

Dr. O'Malley had informed the board some weeks ago of policies that had been put in place in the event we should ever have a case of swine flu. Thankfully, the school district is prepared.

Classes have been suspended for tomorrow. During that time (and I assume over the weekend), the maintenance crew will sanitize all areas.

All staff are alerted to notice signs of the flu and parents have been advised to take precautionary measures.

I would echo Dr. O'Malley's remarks that this is cause for concern, not alarm.

Anonymous said...

Has Dr. O'Malley given any consideration to the buses that are shared amongst the schools? Does the child that contracted the virus take a bus to school? Are the buses being sanitized as well? Please let us know. I think these are legimate questions. God Bless the child. I'll pray for a speedy recovery.

Anonymous said...

IMHO - ALL of the schools should be closed and sanitized. The only school closed for tomorrow is Ravine Drive. Does this child have siblings? Take the bus? Participate in Y-Time? Close ALL schools and sanitize.

Anonymous said...

The CDC shows NJ as one of four states as of 5/23/09 that are in the worst category of "Widespread" for the "Weekly Influenza Activity Estimates, Including Novel H1N1 Flu".


Can you believe people are having swine flu party's?

Anonymous said...

I am sure Mr. Spells is on top of all of this. At least we know he is doing something.

Anonymous said...

Honestly, these last few weeks are "babysitting" time. Besides finals, they're not doing anything. Determine the grades based upon existing scores and close the schools. It is not just the poor kids who are being exposed, but the whole community. I'm sure the working parents will be able to garner support from their bosses. No one wants you to come into work anyway if your child has some potential illness or ability to spread it through the office environment.

For the above poster, good comment about the busses.

matawan advocate said...

Joey, Any further info on the reported case of Swine Flu at Ravine Drive School?

M.A.

Aberdeener said...

Sorry but I have no information beyond the superintendent's letter.

Anonymous said...

IS THIS GOING TO BE ANOTHER NEW YORK SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE PREVIOUS POSTER IS CORRECT KIDS RIDE THE BUSES. WHAT ABOUT THE BUS COMPANIES WHO SERVICE THE RAVINE DRIVE SCHOOL. TODAY THE HIGH SCHOOL CLOSES EARLY YOU WOULD THINK IT GIVE THE SCHOOL BOARD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE HIGH SCHOOL CLEANED AND THEN NEXT WEEK CLEAN ALL THE SCHOOLS. EACH DAY A DIFFERENT SCHOOL. LET US BE PROACTIVE HERE.

Anonymous said...

As per "swine fly parties": there is a legitimate school of thought that believes getting the flu now will assure immunity when the more virulent strain appears this winter. Just sayin.

Anonymous said...

People - stop panicking!! It's the flu.

Anonymous said...

This swine flu is terribly troubling. I think we should: 1) close down ALL schools; 2) close down all municipal buildings; 3) close down all town businesses; 4) close down all the roads into and out of town; and 5) place the child in a plastic bubble for at least the next three years until we determine it's safe. Then, all children attending MARSD should be required to wear both ID badges and a surgical mask to attend classes. In the interim, we should Lysol everything from desks to buses to Route 34 itself. We can't be too careful about a this insipid and highly contagious disease that causes nothing mroe than coughing and runny noses in healthy individuals.

P.S. As an aside, this comments thread is indicative of why the school budget is $60+ million and the "nanny-state" grows bigger each day: panic by hovering parents/constituents requiring the government to step in where little to no action is actually needed...

Anonymous said...

I think people need to remember that overf 36,000 people die from the regular flu every year - and another 200,000 are hospitalized. The swine flu numbers are nothing compaired to that.

I don't want to imply that it's not something you want to take care of, obviously, but we don't shut down the district when a kid gets the flu. Let's not start over reacting now.

Also to note: on the phone call that went out to parents, it stated that the buses and schools are all being diligently cleaned every day.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to have a swine flu party, but I think it's smarter to save the money for when my school taxes go up to pay for the janitors' overtime to sanitize six 10,000+ square foot buildings to prevent the possible, potential and unlikely spread of a non-deadly disease...

Anonymous said...

Lucky for you that you all have some healthy children. I have a daughter with brittle diabetes and she could become extremely ill if she catches this virus. I'm so sorry if you need to take time off from your precious life to take care of your child if they shut the schools down, but my child's life is more important to me than anything. I think your comments are obnoxious.

Anonymous said...

While I sympathize with the fact that your child has a very serious illness and I wish your family all the best, I think that it's "obnoxious" for you to expect the entire community to bear your burden. Which would be more economical? 1) You and your child staying home until the passing of a health threat that affects only you, or 2) having the entire school system shut down and sanitized to ensure that a handful of at-risk students are safe?

This too often passionate projection of an individual's issue to the entire community is why we, as a nation, state and municipality do not have funds for projects that benefit the entire community. Of course, it's probably politically incorrect for me to disagree with you because your child has diabetes and you will undoubtedly be offended, but compassion, empathy and political correctness too often cloud reasonable, rationale and probative thinking about the decision to use limited community resources for the benefit of the many over the at-risk or passionate few...

Anonymous said...

Yeah let's be cavalier and not shut anything down or follow any of the CDC's advice. People haven't died, it can't be spread and "It's the flu"!

It's a pandemic of a new disease that have killed even the healthy! It won't be very long before someone is charged with endangering the welfare of a child for bringing their child to a swine flu party.

Anonymous said...

Calm down people. It's the flu. It's not bio-terrorism or the plague or smallpox. It's the flu. It responds well to tamiflu and is no more threatening than other flus. If this happened during the normal flu season it would be a non-issue. This is all an overreaction on many levels. Don't add to it.

Anonymous said...

I understand that the initial world wide heads up response to this flu was because it orignated in pigs and then crossed species and killed people. Those characteristics often indicate a particularly virulent strain. The virus has weakened as it traveled north. This is good. It is also good that the CDC and local municipalities get the chance to rehearse their pandemic responses, which is what this is, a global pandemic in an off flu season. When flu season does hit, the worry is that the strain will get stronger again. But someday, make no mistake about it, a serious pandemic on our well traveled, very small world will occur, as has happened so many times in history. The guess is sooner rather then later.

Anonymous said...

It wouldn't hurt to close the schools for the day and clean them as a precautionary measure. And please don't belittle parents who are concerned. I think it highly obnoxious for you to address other posters with such a degree of disdain. Obviously you have a huge issue with this district. While I can certainly agree with many of the grievances posted here - I think that these last few posts are really over the line. Please find some other punching bag, the parents aren't the problem here.

Anonymous said...

We should close the schools from Jan. through March. That is flu season every year. Some children might end up with the flu.

Anonymous said...

I think people often misunderstand what the word "pandemic" means. It only means that many people have in many different countries have been found to have it. It has nothing to do with the seriousness of the disease, or how many deaths it's caused. Because something is labeled a "pandemic" is no cause for alarm in itself. It's about geography and demographics, not about seriousness of the disease or deaths from it.

And while I do understand how many parents have children who are in more danger from illness than others, swine flu is no more danger to anyone than the regular flu. I'm sure the regular flu is a serious threat to these children as well (and I do not mean to condescend or belittle them by saying this), but we don't shut the school down when there is a flu outbreak, or a few children get chickenpox. We clean the schools, have the kids wash their hands, and try to take the proper precautions.

The government has actually come out and said that swine flu is much milder than they expected it to be and the Health and Human Services Secretary said there is no reason to close schools when a student is confirmed to have the swine flu (besides making parents feel that something is being done to keep their child safe :O)

Anonymous said...

Now lets hope someone actually comprehends that!

Anonymous said...

Sunday night is a special budget meeting at 7:00pm, below is the link.


http://www.aberdeennj.org/comag060709.pdf

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,

Do you know of any opportunities in the community for kids in the district to get tutoring or mentoring during the summer?

From what I got from the district website, the MOST program will not be running during the summer months.

Thanks for any info you might have

Anonymous said...

Nobody is attacking concerned parents. There are many threats in the world and I think that people on here are just encouraging people to put those threats in perspective. I have three children in the schools as well, and I encourage them to wash their hands often and we'll keep them home if they get sick.

Tom Perry for Mayor of Aberdeen said...

Perry

Perry

Perry

Perry

Perry

For Mayor

Write in candidate election day.

Tom Perry for Mayor

Not a Kauff clone like the others.

Anonymous said...

For anyone who might have missed the phone call, by the end of tomorrow, all the schools will have been sanitized.

Anonymous said...

Joey,

I was wondering if the district has done away with Everyday Math and moved toward Singapore Math yet? I know you were a very verbal supportor of this program.

Anonymous said...

I am glad all the schools will be sanitized. It was the right thing to do. For some of the above posters who feel that it wasn't the community's problem or within the budget to do so, I say you should be ashamed of yourselves for if your child were to become ill, you would probably be the first one yelling and screaming that the district didn't do enough. I don't care how much overtime we had to pay to have the schools cleaned. With all the waste in this school system, sanitation and health should never be scrimped on. It was worth every cent.

Anonymous said...

To all the naysayers about sine flu: You are the dopes who aren't experts but play one on the internet. Every time you say "Its the flu" you make a moron out of yourself. When are you going on your discount cruise to Mexico?

Anonymous said...

And where do you get your information from? The newspapers? The CDC? The government?

Yes, all reputable sources of information.

When the number of swine flu deaths in this country surpass those of the regular flu, I will start to be concerned. Until then, it's just another strain of flu.

Anonymous said...

.....And we all know the government has been such wonderful, forthright, honest sources of information! Wow!Believe just what you are told because that is all they want you to believe. Just pray for the best but prepare for the worst is all I am saying. I still believe this springtime flu is just a dress rehearsal for a worse strain due to hit this fall/winter.

Norm said...

I created the swine flu. I just figured I would let the cat out of the bag before the truth did.

Anonymous said...

Yes, we shouldn't believe the government or the CDC...we should listen to the people who like to panic over nothing.

It must be nice to have nothing else to sit qaround all day and worry about...oh, forget that some of us have a sense of reality.

Anonymous said...

No, moron, you should NOT believe everything the government tells you! Haven't you learned anything from living in Aberdeen? If you do believe what the government tells you (especially with this liberal ass administration) I feel sorry for you since you are such an uneducated person who waits to be told WHAT to do and WHEN to do it instead of using your own common sense and hope/pray for the best, yet prepare for the worst. How is that being out of touch with reality? I think you're the one who is out of touch, or at least blind to what is really going on around you. I'm not only referring to this virus, but to other things, as well. Help yourself, don't wait for the government to do it for you. Oh, and for the record, who says I'm "worrying?" I will reiterate that I pray for the best, but prepare for the worst. I think that makes me a hell of a lot smarter than you.

Anthony McKenna said...

Most of the arguments in this paper are against the teachers. If you look at the actual dollars spent in this district you will see that the cost of classroom instruction is only 49% of the budget. What business do you know has more than half of its budget in overhead and not in production? Matawan on the otherhand has over 50% of its budget in things other than instruction. We need to reorder our priorities so that more is spent on education and less on overhead. This responsibility falls directly on the schools administration. Who aren't,in my opinion, earning their keep. Data from 2007-08 state report card

Total Classroom Instruction $7,183 2007-08
TOTAL COST PER PUPIL $14,513 2007-08

Aberdeener said...

Anthony, I'm afraid you forgot include in-class support services. The actual percentage is 56%, slightly above the state average. That figure also doesn't include the millions we spend annually on out-district placements.

Anonymous said...

I would assume than either would the others.

Anonymous said...

Mr.Warren, why is Bera moving to be principal of Strathmore, was that her decission?

politicalhypocritesallofthem said...

It looks like our district is a bargain. Recent articles and stories on the Abbott School Districts really show the incompetence, greed and placating of certain segments of our society. Camden for instance with 11,000 students has the local property owners paying less then 10% of the cost. We taxpayers then not only get to pay our 70% of our tax dollars for our district, we get to spend billions on the Abbott onesas well. Camden spends $360,000,000.00 for those 11,000 kids. Their total budget really is $360,000,000.00. That means they spend $31,000.00 per student each and every year. The worst is that the graduation rate is less then 10% in Camden. In political terms that means all of that money goes for votes. Look how much money we spend on your kids you can be sure some politician tells voters. The results don't mean a thing. It is the supposed caring and monies spent.

The fact that that huge amount of money goes down the drain and that less then 1 in 10 students graduates is the true crime against society. How many Abbott districts do we have in New Jersey and what is the total cost? That is the article or expose that needs to be written in the newspapers. It would be to say the least shocking and all too telling of the political and monetary results garnered from the legislation from the bench pulled off when the Justices put that into place. The next Governor will probably choose two or three Justices next term. If it is Corzine GOD FORBID. There will be no money left for any of us to live on.

Aberdeener said...

Ken Smith, the principal at Strathmore, recently announced his retirement. Rather than hire a new administrator, Dr. O'Malley chose to use his existing staff to fill the position.

Kelly Bera has graciously accepted the request to move to Strathmore.

There will also be some other staffing changes moving forward. If someone is being moved, it is probably because Dr. O'Malley recognizes his strengths and needs him elsewhere. That is certainly the case with Principal Bera.

Anonymous said...

Dr. O'Malley handled the flu scare very appropriately. He took the immediate action of closing Ravine School and then the proactive step of "sanitizing" the other schools over the weekend. His communication was calm and reassuring and was frequent enough to quell any bogus rumors about what was or wasn't happening.

Regardless of what I think about the international reaction to the H1C1 pandemic - Dr. O'Malley's approach should be commended for being rational and reassuring to parents and students.

Anonymous said...

So Strathmore needed a better pricipal and we (Cliffwood) get someone who is new? Doesn't make sense, why take away a good principal from Cliffwood for Strathmore, it does seem like Cliffwood is getting screwed again.

Aberdeener said...

Cliffwood is getting Brian Farrell, one of our directors. Everybody is getting somebody good.

Anonymous said...

Did he interview for the job, I heard he is O'Malley's friend. If he is good why not send him to Strathmore, there is more to the story. What do you say to that Mr.Warren?

Anonymous said...

Did Bera request to leave?

Aberdeener said...

Dr. O'Malley recommended the changes. There's nothing more to the story.

Anonymous said...

My question is why not keep Bera at Cliffwood and put the new principal at Strathmore? Why not make 1 change instead of two? O'Malley recommended the changes, did he apply for the position and inteview is the question.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,

You must have missed my question as you were busy this weekend with the Garage sale. I was wondering if you had any movement in working the Singapore math system into the district.

Thanks for your response.

Aberdeener said...

My apologies. I saw the question and forgot to respond.

I've spoken to Dr. O'Malley on a couple occasions regarding Singapore Math and we share a common outlook. However, I don't see it in the works for this year.

Last night, Ms. Zitarosa, Director of Accountability for the lower school, proposed new social studies textbooks because the old ones are ten years old and the curriculum hasn't been revamped in seven years.

Still, I will personally be pushing for higher math standards, I will still be working to introduce Singapore Math, and I will be working to get rid of calculators where they do not belong.

Anonymous said...

So what about Bera - why not keep Bera at Cliffwood and put the new principal at Strathmore? Why not make 1 change instead of two? O'Malley recommended the changes, did he apply for the position and inteview for the position or was he just appointed?

Anonymous said...

Ah come on Aberdeener, you either are extremely naive or have become the consummate politician. Doe the fact the BF plays basketball and golf(?) with the good Dr. play into the equation? Mrs. Bera gracioulsy accepted the move? Does that matter? How about the teachers that aren't so gracious. If Dr.O wants/needs to move people then OK, Just don't insult us. By the way- I heard the new principal was booed off the stage by the parents of Eatontown? Any one check out why he left?

Anonymous said...

I'd like to know some more about the person who replaced Ms. Rappaport.

I heard he came from the state, like someone else that we know.

I've also heard that he has no supervisor or CST experience. Is that true?

Anonymous said...

Is it true that Mr. Lloyd ended up in the hospital with a stroke and heart attack?

Anonymous said...

The school board is ultimately responsible for the final decision of a personal move. The superintendent recommends and the board approves. i am sure that the school board interviewed all the principals that were moved and will be more than willing to answer all personal moves. Just like they will be more than open about the personal and contractual matters they discussed at last nights executive session. I am sure at the end of the month meeting Mr. Aberdeener will be more than open with us taxpayers

Anonymous said...

any comments Mr.Warren, I to heard that the new principal and O'Malley are good friends. It's not that big of a community, word spreads. Did he interview for the position?

Aberdeener said...

I'm sorry but I don't discuss confidential matters on this blog, particularly regarding personnel. Secondly, it is my position that we allow the superintendent wide discretion in making personnel appointments - the board does policy, not management.

Regarding the new special ed director, I believe the parents and students will be extremely pleased with his appointment.

Anonymous said...

I AGREE GET RID OF THE CALCULATORS UNTIL AT LEAST HIGH SCHOOL or MAMS in the least.

I NEVER used a calculator to do everyday math problems. Self computation and show your work was the motto. You want to know why our scores are not that good in math - start there.

In fact I wish Mr. W would correlate and find when our district started to let elementary school kids use them and when our scores in math slipped years later - I know there is a link.

Anonymous said...

sounds like she was reassigned and he got appointed without any interview. I think you could comment if he was interviewed or not.

Aberdeener said...

Candidates were interviewed for the open principal position.

Anonymous said...

What was the vote on the principal move? Was it a 9-0 vote in support of the principal moves?

Anonymous said...

On principal moves, nobody new was hired for an administrative position. You just saved 100K. Enjoy retirement Mr. Smith.

Anonymous said...

Why not keep Bera in her position and put the new principal in the Strathmore school? Cliffwood is getting the short end of the stick, I also believe the teachers are better in Cliffwood so they are trying to redistibute some of them. What do you say to that Joey?

Anonymous said...

On last nights agenda it seems it is time for raises for our deputy superintendent and business administrator. I hope Mr. Warren is standing up for us taxpayers like he said he would when it comes to fiscal responsibility in this economy. The days of 3 to 4% automatic raises should really be taken into consideration especially when these salaries are higher then they have ever been. On a positive note the superintendent has three years left on his contract at a $3000.00 per year raise and that should not be renegotiated. Staff under him should not receive more than that. This will set the tone for contract talks with the union when that comes around again soon. Lets hope the board does the right thing and lives within the means of the taxpayers not for the benefit of the system workers.

Anonymous said...

Cliffwood screwed again. This guy is lame, they will see.

Anonymous said...

Not happy with Bera leaving, I agree with the comment on why not just move this guy into the open position at Strathmore? I am an O'Malley fan but this move smells of a rat. They are buddies with each other.

Anonymous said...

I know, but can't tell how, but O'Malley and Farrell are actually cousins.

Anonymous said...

Mr Warren,

When you say candidates were interviewed I would assume you mean all candidates, however I have spoken to several board members how had never heard the name of the new Cliffwood principal, Brian Farrell, until he was on the agenda. Therefore I am left to believe that candidates may have been interviewed, but no the candidates selected and certainly not by the entire board.I am sure you will claim that there is confidentially on personal, but i believe we need open and honest board members. In terms of salary and contracts as mentioned by another poster. I am sure the school board is aware of the financial status of the state and the government furloughs that have been discussed. While the union may not budge I believe existing contracts should be honored but not expanded. A three thousand dollar raise is more than enough considering the current financial status. In addition Dr. O'Malley is given compensation for mileage on his vehicle for, a laptop, and a monthly cell phone allowance of $110 dollars. When we add in all these perks he is making more than enough considering the financial times. In addition we will have no state tests scores for comparisons when the board meets later this month. i would only assume that any intelligent and caring board of elected official would not award an official without test scores. I look forward to the meeting later this month.

A Cash Strapped Matawan Resident

Anonymous said...

I recently heard that The Bayshore Jointure is ending their lease. With MARSD I was concerned as to how the district will make up this lost revenue stream in these tough economic times. I hope it is not another tax increase?

Anonymous said...

paging Mr.Warren, come in Mr.Warren.

Anonymous said...

Can you answer the question regarding Mr. Lloyd?

I'd also like the answer to what the qualifications the new director of Special ed. as a supervisor.

Telling us the parents will be happy seems like an adversion to the original question~!

Aberdeener said...

Robert Schweitzer, the new director of special education, was previously a Special Education Monitor at the NJ Dept. of Education.

Brian Farrell was not interviewed by the board but he is well known in the district as the (now former) director of accountability for the middle school. When someone says he spoke to “several board members” who don’t know him, they must not have been board members for a quite a while to not know one of the senior members of the administration.

Of the 5 teachers being moved from Cliffwood, 2 are kindergarten teachers and 2 have specific training related to RTI that Strathmore is lacking.

The vote on the principal move was 7-2 with Dr. Gambino and Ms. Rubino opposing.

I intend to support the proposed raises for Dr. O’Malley, Mr. Glastein, and Ms. Irons. The proposed contracts will be posted on the school website, we’ll have public comment at the next board meeting, and the board will then take a vote. I will discuss my position in an upcoming posting prior to the public meeting.

The Bayshore Juncture has notified the district it will be terminating its lease and moving to another location. As this just happened this week, there is no further information at this time but I will update you when the information becomes available.

I’m still waiting for information regarding any summer mentoring/tutoring programs that are available.

I hope that answers your questions.

Anonymous said...

So Farrell was just appointed to the position without interviewing? Tell me that doesn't sound funny, if you were not on the board we would have read on this blog such a write up about this./ Is it true that O'Malley and Farrell are related?

It doesn't answer the question as to why the new principal just wouldn't start at Strathmore and not move Bera from Cliffwood to Strathmore, either she was removed or requested a transfer.

So no the question has not been answered.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,

My daughter just came home and told me how bad she felt for her class advisor because she looked and sounded "sick as a dog". Please don't tell me that we encorage children with flu like symptons to stay home yet the administration at the HS. doesn't have the same common sense as it relates to the staff. I would call myself,but I'm confident I won't get a straight answer. Can you find out what is happening?

Thanks

Anonymous said...

So, you are telling us that the board hired a man for a supervisor position with no supervisors experience or CST experience? How does being a monitor for the state make him a good supervisor?

You are also telling us that Mr. Farrell did NOT have to apply for the job, bumped someone who was doing wonderfully where she was(and did NOT ask for a transfer), and has no experience in that position.

Keeps getting better and better.

Anonymous said...

Since Joey will not answer the question regarding Mr. Lloyd I will do so.

Mr. Lloyd has been in the hospital for a week or so. He went in with a fever and infection and they think he had a mild stroke and maybe a slight heart attack as well.

this all happened shortly after he was told of his transfer.

Anonymous said...

Golly Gee-

A few months ago and you were hunting for Mr. Glastein's head. Now you are going to approve a raise. Whew-how things change.

Anonymous said...

Here's hoping Mr. Lloyd recovers quickly.

Aberdeener said...

Some clarifications -

1) Mr. Schweitzer does have some prior supervisor experience, though minimal. However, having reviewed his resume, interviewed him, and conferred with other board members, I believe he is highly qualified and a wonderful addition to our school district.

2) Farrell did not bump anyone.

3) I have never attacked Glastein. I save my barbs for the people at the top.

4) Mr. Lloyd is a patient at Bayshore. I apologize for not responding sooner but I didn't know if the family wished to keep his status private. He is accepting visitors and appears in good spirits.

I'm troubled that he's still in the hospital and the doctors still don't have a firm prognosis. I wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Anonymous said...

Maybe now you people will leave the old guy alone and let him do his thing...on a lighter note...has nsecjoe finally been silenced?

Anonymous said...

Farell did not bump anyone?

Actually, you are right. O'Malley bumped her, to put his golf buddy in her place. You know the place where she was doing such a wonderful job. With all the other problems in this district to take one of the few things that is working SO well, and change it is a disgrace.

Please tell us what minimal supervisory position Mr. Schweitzer has had.

Anonymous said...

Still haven't heard an answer to the question of why make 2 changes when 1 was only necessary? or why Farrell was not interviewed by the board? Does O'Malley give his recommendation to the board and than it is voted on? It seems strange that 7 people voted for him yet never interviewed him. Is there any truth to them being related as one blogger stated earlier? Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I feel so relieved that the best we could do is hire a relative with minimal supervisory experience to watch over our kids.

A good interview does not equal experience.

I see homes going into foreclosure, people losing their jobs, our taxes climbing and yet we give raises. I see a math program that we don't have time to fix right now, but wait - let's give them a raise first.

And if you cannot discuss these things anymore because you are a public official maybe it is time someone else started a blog who can.

Aberdeener said...

No need to start a new blog, you can have mine. Anyone willing and able to maintain this blog is welcome to have it.

Feel free to email me if you're interested.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Warren, you must admit that you have lost some credibility since running (unopposed) for the BOE. People feel as though this blog was intentionally started to stir the shit in town so you could connive your way into a public position. Now that you've acquired it, we are seeing seeing the all-too-telling signs that you, too, have been suckered in to the dark politics in this township. Why is it so difficult for you to understand that this whole O'Malley/Farell thing reeks of nepotism? Why is it so difficult for you to understand that the Cliffwood parents are rightfully upset that they have an established principal in place who did NOT ask to be transferred, yet, she is being placed in another school and the Cliffwood kids are stuck (YET AGAIN) with dealing with the pitfalls of another administrative transitional year. The Strathmore principal is leaving, that is where Farell should be placed. Under ordinary circumstances (i.e. before your election to the BOE) you would have been public opponent #1 to this shuffling act. Now, your complacency speaks volumes. While I am glad I did not vote for you, I am saddened that the children of this district still don't have someone in place to stick up for what is right. Did you ever hear of the saying, "Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do?" You could have made a difference, but there hasn't been much change at all. Same old shit.

Aberdeener said...

The rumors being spread that O'Malley and Farrell are somehow related are just another canard coming from certain members of the teachers union who don't like either person for taking the unpopular step of making education the first priority in our schools.

As for me, given the union's laughable attempts to silence, discredit, and isolate me, I accept that as testimony to my contributions, most of which are behind the scenes.

Admittedly, I too am frustrated by the slow pace of change but slow change is better than no change.

Anonymous said...

Again, why move Bera?

Aberdeener said...

The superintendent believes placing Mrs. Berra in Strathmore and Mr. Farrell in Cliffwood would be better for the district than placing Mr. Farrell in Strathmore. I suspect Dr. O'Malley likes a little cross-pollination - moving around his best people so that everyone can benefit.

Mr. Farrell is highly regarded. I don't think Cliffwood will suffer and Strathmore certainly has much to gain from Mrs. Berra.

Additionally, I'd like to remind you that it's my position the board has no role in deciding building assignments for personnel where there's no question of qualifications.

Anonymous said...

so Cliffwood is the trtaining facility for the rest of the schools?

Aberdeener said...

No. It does mean Dr. O'Malley has an obligation to act in the district's best interests.

Anonymous said...

So, screw Cliffwood again.

Aberdeener said...

I'm sorry but I'm new to the neighborhood. Can you tell me what "again" references?

Anonymous said...

it means over and over.

Anonymous said...

I, for one, would just like to state the obvious: Just because the Aberdeener cannot talk about certain things because of his position on the board, doesn't mean he doesn't care about the issues, or that he is not working toward getting them fixed.

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that you ascribe disagreement with the union and not residents without affiliation. In regards to Brain Farrell being "well respected", I'd be interested in knowing by whom? Certainly no one from Eatontown- and I haven't heard one positve from anyone. You would have been all over this one like white on rice if Quinn pulled this trick.

Anonymous said...

So, the union and the teachers are making up the stories of Farrell and O'Malley being golf buddies? And they are also to blame for the Bera?Farrell move? How about your sudden turn on approvong raises for administators?

All the fault of the union and teachers...that has to be the best I've heard yet.

Why not add to Kauff to that list?

I am not a union member or a teacher Mr. Warren, but I am a parent of a Cliffwood Ave. student, I do pay taxes in this town, and I can see a snow job a mile away. One does not have to be a union memeber to have that ability. Maybe a lot of their complaints are valid. Maybe this new and improved boards tatics will actually backfire on them. Seems to be working at Cliffwood Ave.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Warren,
You are on the board for less than three months and now you are trying to get rid of this blog so you don't have to answer directly to the people you courted when seeking your position. It doesn't take a Doctorate, lawyer or advanced degree to figure out what Dr. O'Malley is up to. A one year zero increase in an overinflated budget, get some special interest groups on your side, put in programs that look good on paper, teach to the test(ed-sol), and ask for a new contract. Yet not one bit of proof anything is improving. Not one test result. What is the big rush? He has a four year contract and should be judged on that four year body of work. When Mr. Warren states that he intends to support a raise for Dr. O'Malley that means he will be giving him more than his contract calls for, probably monetary and a longer term. He would not have to support what is in his current contract. In one year O'Malley has played his loyal board members who hired him, the public, and Mr. Warren for his own financial gain and security. For our "elected" officials, who are all smarter than us, to not see this coming and put him in a position to earn over $200,000 in a couple years with no results is unconscionable.

Anonymous said...

Well said...enough said.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone asked Mrs. Bera where she wants to be or if she opposed the move. It says she did not ask for a transfer but did she disagree with it? Also the state requires all administrators to sign a nepotism form each year stating they have not hired relatives, etc, so O'Malley could not hire a cousin or he would risk facing state sanctions. Finally most districts review upper administration contracts every year and in some of the contracts I have seen there is a percentage limit on increases. I have not seen O'Malley's contract but I would assume something like this is specified in his. JG's and SI's contracts.

Anonymous said...

A reasonable person would assume a percentage increase limit would be in the contract but our board of education left that out. After reading O'Malleys contract on the marsd website they put in a minimum not a maximum. Does that make any sense? I can't wait to see what this guy asks for after the love fest that is demonstrated every month. After this board is done we could have over a half million dollars in salary and perks for three administrative positions. Wake up people, once those salaries hit a certain level they will never go down and we will pay for many years to come without any proof that things are getting better.

Anonymous said...

Anon,

Do you honestly think Bera had a choice? I'm sure they didn't ask, I'm sure they directed. Do you think she would have said no?

Who would say no? Shouldn't she be happy she still has a job?

Anonymous said...

I know someone close to the O'Malley family, Farrell is his step-brother, so technically they are not blood related.

Anonymous said...

The last few posts about salaries hit the nail on the head. According to this board the economy is just fine and 1 out of every 10 people are not out of work. While the rest of us who are paying these salaries are struggling are board leaders continue to spend.

Aberdeener said...

Before commenting on executive salaries, it may be prudent to wait for my next article. I should be able to post it this weekend.

Anonymous said...

My son came home today and told me that the HS will no long provide calculators for math classes. Is this true Mr. Warren?

This is what he was informed in his AP Calc class.

Anonymous said...

Anon, Why post lies you know will be proven false? Just so the Aberdeener asks the supt and wastes both their time.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,
Do you have any new information concerning Mr. Lloyd? Is he still in the hospital and is his health improving? My son was a student of his during this school year, and with finals scheduled this week, he hasn't heard an update. We are praying for a full and speedy recovery.