Comments on Aberdeener: O’Malley’s Record

Just a ploy by the school to get rid of people the...

2010-03-14T18:43:14.183-04:00

Just a ploy by the school to get rid of people then rehire later there buddies from Mountainside by siting we need more teachers

Same old story protect there own I agree what do y...

2010-03-14T18:40:51.068-04:00

Same old story protect there own I agree what do you need a facility manager when we are out sourcing the custodians and will have there own facility manager , a bunch of Bull$$&^@ these people are selling O Malley got his raise beyond his contract I say oust all the board members and tar and feather them for the memmorrial day parade

It funny how everyone is so concerned with the Joe...

2010-03-14T14:38:50.170-04:00

It funny how everyone is so concerned with the Joes And the Os If you forgot what that stands for it is Joe Martucci and Richard Omalley.Lets get down to brass tax if your going to privitize fine but lets see some administrators get let go for a change Matawan Aberdeen is cutting 36 custodians and 32 teachers,And they are going to privitize the custodial department,So why are they keeping David Galvao the facility manager for 97,000 a year Is he more important than a teacher?

As far as test scores teaching starts at home stop...

2010-03-14T00:48:36.298-05:00

As far as test scores teaching starts at home stop buying your kids phones Ipods and video games and sit down and spend a little time with your child , its your responsability to participate in your childs developement

To the ignorant poster of anonymous or is that ign...

2010-03-14T00:46:02.675-05:00

To the ignorant poster of anonymous or is that ignoramis , in regaurds to controlled teacher you send you daughter too , like every other buissness the cost of labor is 80 % of the product ship your daughter to china with the other jobs in this country see what kind of education she gets there , oh I forgot thats different where you work

In response to the individual taking exception to ...

2010-03-13T14:06:30.839-05:00

In response to the individual taking exception to my sending my daughter to private school. I prefer a teacher controlled enviorment whereas Matawan-Aberdeen has tenured teachers sitting on their asses reaping the benfits of our tax money. Ask Joey how much of the budget goes to salary and enjoy the answer. Don't get me wrong, there are "some" very good teachers in the district but the slackers out weight the good ones probably 10 to 1.

Have you spoken to the teachers who see the studen...

2010-03-05T20:58:22.054-05:00

Have you spoken to the teachers who see the students progress daily and as more than just test scores that don't necessarily reflect their "proficiency"?

http://www.state.nj.us/education/sboe/meetings/200...

2010-02-27T03:32:27.807-05:00

http://www.state.nj.us/education/sboe/meetings/2009/February/public/Item%20C.%20High%20School%20Graduation%20Amendments.doc.

All those believers of promoting "reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic" should take note that there are more state requirements to graduate high school other than simply passing the HSPA. Subchapter 1, 4.1 (pg 33) lists "nine academic areas" as part of the core curriculum, and the first one listed is visual/performing arts.

And the subject matter of calculus hasn't prepared me in particular for the real world, and there is no state testing that covers that, so should that no longer be funded? What about Spanish? Or classes examining literature? Last year's valedictorian was an artist honored by the White House, and while she is a naturally talented artist, I'm sure having the art classes at the high school helped her when she was applying to Pratt. Not every student is going to grow up to utilize the same skills, providing the wide range in high school helps students decide which direction they want to travel after.

Also, the argument of "this doesn't matter in the real world" is an excuse very often employed by students as a justification for their poor performance in classes (Nobody who has come into contact with high school students in the past thirty years should deny this), and one can see that it carries on through adulthood.

As a former BOE Student Representative, I fully su...

2010-02-26T23:37:51.896-05:00

As a former BOE Student Representative, I fully support Andrew's opinion as well as his right to express it. That is what he is there for - to speak for all of the students that may not always be represented accurately by the opinions that the Board members have. The fact that he has the ability to stand up and speak his mind with out trepidation shows great character. From experience, I can promise y'all that it is not easy to speak in front of an audience of adults, teachers and the Board of Education every month. Andrew, stand your ground, speak your mind, be respectful, and keep up the good work!

What the student was stating was his opinion. Wron...

2010-02-26T21:31:08.781-05:00

What the student was stating was his opinion. Wrong and typical of a young man who has no real idea how our educational system works, does not work or that fails many like him each year. Teachers cannot teach such students all they will need to know to get through life. That is a given. But to commend him for thinking ceramics and other similar do nothing classes does little down the road to prepare him for the workforce. Many programs taught in school are a waste and the typical type of defense keeps programs like that funded. Fund the subjects that make people prepared for working in the real world first. Plenty of businesses are around if you want artistic appreciation. Not on my dollar though. Thank you very much.

Dear everyone saying electives such as ceramics sh...

2010-02-26T18:42:50.276-05:00

Dear everyone saying electives such as ceramics should not be part of the district,

First of all, having a "practical arts" class was a STATE requirement. Prior to the name change in 2008, "visual/performing arts" was a requirement. Ceramics is something that fulfilled this. I am proud to say I took ceramics my senior year. Though that was after 3 years of electives such as Honors Psychology, Criminal Law, Economics, and the mandatory computer courses that actually did help me now that I'm in college. And I took that ceramics class in the middle of 5 AP classes, 2 of which were maths. Students are not allowed to have a schedule of "ceramics, gym, lunch, digital photography, band, and home economics," so do not act like it. Also, I'm more than certain that my ceramics teacher knew a lot more than some of my "academic" teachers, and the experience was more valuable than another course to study.

Second, colleges don't care if all you do is sit at home and study if you don't get involved in your school and have other interests. And students hate high school and learning in general if that's all that is available to them from the school. The issue isn't that students don't have their priorities in order so they fail academically; it's that they don't care. I've been back to the high school, and the attitudes of the students I've witnessed are almost enough to make me not want to go into teaching. So if any of you are concerned parents blaming the district because your kid is failing, try getting a bit involved in the study habits of your own child make sure they do their part, because, especially at the high school level, one can't assume it's the teachers' fault. I had a more than hectic schedule between activities which ate my nights and weekends and very demanding academic courses, but I sucked it up and did my work because I knew my parents wouldn't let me stretch myself if I got grades any less than I was capable. And after all my courses through junior year, the HSPA was a breeze. And I can also say I developed a good time management ethic for college because of all my activities.

to the above poster... do you know the student who...

2010-02-26T13:17:04.739-05:00

to the above poster... do you know the student who spoke to be able to make a judgemental remark as you did. If you would have listened to him at all, you would have heard him say he took Anatomy as an elective. To me that doesn't sound like a "typical teenager who doesn't want to do work". He was stating student's opinion as to the overall value of electives.. any electives. Ironic that it took a student to put Warren in his place.. something the general population and I imagine the rest of the school board would love to do.

Utopia: any kid probably does not want to take tou...

2010-02-26T13:03:20.726-05:00

Utopia: any kid probably does not want to take tough courses since mommy and daddy will coddle them and pay their bills. Time to make their own way on the world for a change I say. But that would not be what the guidance counselor or therapist would say. No they would say let them make their own way. They will know what to do and when to do it. NO THEY WON"T. They barely get out from behind the TV and the cl phone to learn. FACT!

When ceramics and athletic fields are more important then academics WE AS A SOCIETY ARE DOOMED.

The kid was well spoken and the mom was typical to let my kid do what they want. But when it goes bad the schools failed them will be the cry.

The kid was an a typical teenager. They don't want to work.

Amazing to me that you equate the value of an elec...

2010-02-26T10:28:44.323-05:00

Amazing to me that you equate the value of an elective with the cost. In case you didn't know... students ARE required to take English/Math.. as always you tell half the story and then sit back and watch the pot stir. The electives they choose to take have nothing to do with their requirements. If you are so concerned about the test scores... why don't you focus on the real problem and not something ridiculous like electives.

I watched the pod cast and the kid stole the show....

2010-02-25T19:50:21.347-05:00

I watched the pod cast and the kid stole the show.

He told you BIG MOUTH Warren. A 17 yr old wiser than you.

He sees the importance of a diverse curriculum. The lady from the crowd who spoke did too. The mere fact that not every kid goes to college and the importance of exposure to all areas. He is there and she has lived here for years.

BUT YOU KNOW MORE without having even stepped in the buildings. YOUR MISSION and VISION "sentences" = not the real world. You would not know because you do not know our town, its diversity, its economics of the citizens.

It is your arrogance that kills us. Child care, ceramics, TV studio, excel, etc. are classes the kids like and THEIR PARENTS LET THEM TAKE. But now you know more and what best for a kid than the parents? You want UTOPIA- everyone makes the same and goes to college and volunteers. NOT REAL LIFE - as you argue with a kid about excel......

To the anonymous teacher @3:20 and 4:09 You don...

2010-02-25T19:02:57.762-05:00

To the anonymous teacher @3:20 and 4:09
You don't have to wonder anymore. I have the answer to your question of who will want to teach in this district. All the teachers who are having a hard time finding work like the rest of us.

Would you want the person who said the following l...

2010-02-25T18:54:22.480-05:00

Would you want the person who said the following leading our school district? "A defeated budget would not only wipe out what we have accomplished in two years, but would set the district back more than five years and present many more financial challenges in the future". When the budget is defeated the most the town councils will shave off is $400,000. $400,000 off a close to 60 million dollar budget and it will set us back more than five years? We may need a better leader for $185,000 a year. One who will take the money available to him and improve the district, not set it back five years. One who doesn't believe money will solve all the problems. One who doesn't want his contract re-written every year with financial incentives or job security with more years. I hope he really doesn't believe his own words and will prove himself to be worthy of the money he receives.

I think O'Malley should have a new nicname--Ha...

2010-02-25T17:30:26.027-05:00

I think O'Malley should have a new nicname--Have you seen him lately? I call him O'Dreamy!

nice that you speak this way to the people you tru...

2010-02-25T16:24:19.415-05:00

nice that you speak this way to the people you trust with your children

I am anonymous @ 3:20. I am not a teacher. But I ...

2010-02-25T16:09:34.065-05:00

I am anonymous @ 3:20. I am not a teacher. But I have been taught by many excellent ones in my past. Looking back, I realize how formative they were in my life. I am very grateful to them. And very sad at the way the profession is spoken of on this blog. If this continues, I wonder who will want to teach in this district?

The above post is obviously not from THE TEACHER O...

2010-02-25T15:57:29.230-05:00

The above post is obviously not from THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

Such anger is displayed since they finally are realizing that they won't be getting their larger then everyone else pay increase this year.

Too F'n bad.

Life

Ain't it a BITCH?

Listen to me. Demonize, insult and belittle the t...

2010-02-25T15:20:28.873-05:00

Listen to me. Demonize, insult and belittle the teaching profession. Cut their salaries, slash their benefits. Then wonder why it is that the best people don't want to teach your likewise thick headed children. Go ahead, be really befuddled by it all!

When the NJEA utters those words "Its for the...

2010-02-25T11:51:14.736-05:00

When the NJEA utters those words "Its for the children" they aren't speaking of children who are in school to get an education. They are speaking of themselves as the overindulged children of greed. The NJEA is planning on spending millions to fight Christies cuts yet they have no money to pay for their own retirements and health care. This is the chance for NJ to actually take back their government from the corrupt special interest groups and governing elites that have been living the good life on the taxpayers bill for too long. It is time to stop these corrupt employee unions who are committing suicide with their greed and sense of entitlement. The axe had to fall sooner or later. NJ could not continue on the path of self destructive liberalism.

Don't foget about the contracts and negotiatio...

2010-02-25T07:15:31.753-05:00

Don't foget about the contracts and negotiations for police departments. That is a big chunk of cash also the taxpayers cover. My cousin is a cop in Harlem and his pay pales in comparison to Matawan PD. When he visits he calls Matawan a little Mayberry.

It might be said the cushy contracts police get are just like the teachers. No one in leadership wants to say no to them and have them saying that we would be less safe over a couple dollars. It is far more then a couple dollars. I respect what they do and costs and benefits are also too high. Many of them even know it themselves.

It may be time for efficincy studies and not by retired police personell either. Make it a fair and impartial look inside such costs for those of us that pay the bills.

The tax payers have had enough. The greed of teach...

2010-02-25T06:25:36.752-05:00

The tax payers have had enough. The greed of teachers union representatives along with the selfishness they have shown for years needs to be ignored. Many would say teachers are overpaid even before the down turn in the economy. The For The Children signs at election and budget time has for too long been an effective bargaining tool. It has also been too easy and convenient excuse for leadership to buckle under or to use for votes. Cut the programs and expenditures and the well known and too numerous high salaried administration people in their too costly, cushy and too often protected positions. Do that before you ask me for one thin dime more for the teachers and their union representatives. Get back to the three R's. It worked for many years before all of these social programs and experiments.