How can this School Committee look itself in the mirror??!!! Ten minutes allotted for the "Public Budget Hearing"! And Public Comment at 9:40 p.m. AFTER they've deliberated and voted on a number of things. It's outrageous and shows their true intent.

4/28/2015 7:00 PM
Aldermanic Chamber
City Hall, 1st Floor 562 Main Street Melrose, MA 02176
Downloads:
Agenda Agenda Packet
1. Call to Order/Pledge
1. Roll Call
2. Public Budget Hearing - 7:00 PM
3. Report of the Student Representatives - 7:10 PM
4. Announcements - Superintendent of Schools - 7:15 PM
1. Superintendent's Update
a. Superintendent's Updates 4.28.15
5. Consent Agenda - 7:20 PM
1. Minutes of Mar 31, 2015 7:00 PM
2. Minutes of Apr 7, 2015 7:00 PM
3. Warrants
a. 04-28-2015 WARRANTS
6. Subcommittees (Committee of the Whole) - 7:25 PM
A. Educational Programs and Personnel - Donald Constantine/Jessica Dugan
1. MS and HS Code of Conduct (20 minutes)
a. Code of Conduct memo
2. K-5 Reading Curriculum Materials (20 minutes)
a. ImplementNewELAK-5CurriculumMemo
3. PD - FY16 and Summer Institute (20 minutes)
a. Summer 2015 Professional Development Offerings April 12
b. Program Evaluation of Professional Development (PPS-CURRDIR_V320's conflicted copy 2015-03-27)
c. Professional Development Plan FY2016 for School Committee
B. Policy and Planning - Jessica Dugan/Margaret Driscoll
1. Policy Discussion
Policy JC: Elementary School Assignment and Class Size Policy (10 minutes)
a. JC.Elem Class Assgnmt and Size.4.14
C. Finance and Facilities - Margaret Driscoll/Christine Casatelli
1. Budget:
NEASC (10 minutes)
a. NEASC memo
SPED Transportation (10 minutes)
a. FY16 SPED Transportation Cost
Chartwells Update/Meal Fees (10 minutes)
a. Foodservice Report Melrose FY2016 projection
2. Budgets for Discussion and Budget Process for May 5 (15 minutes)
a. FY2016 Budget Presentation Information
b. FY2016 School Budget – Balanced Budget Draft 1 4-23-2015
3. Approval of SEEM Rental Rate for FY16 (5 minutes)
a. Seem Rental Memo to SC FY16
4. Budget Questions (15 minutes)
7. Public Comment - 9:40 PM
8. Announcements - School Committee Chair - 9:55 PM
9. Adjourn

The Melrose School Committee is dysfunctional, unprofessional and does whatever they please. They have ruined the schools and are harming our kids. I plan on going to the "stress" session being held soon. The kids are stressed, the parents are stressed, teachers are stressed and taxpayer budgets are stressed. What is broken cannot be unbroken. To heal the system and all stakeholders being impacted requires dramatic changes. The mismanagement by District Administrators and the completely "crazy process" the SC has set up for themselves to spend public dollars shows the level of absurdity which now exists. The truth always comes out. It is only a matter of time

Sit down and be quiet old man! What you think doesn't count anymore under the current administration and school committee's dictatorship. KT and RD and friends have effectively muzzled you and all Melrose citizens at school committee meetings over the last couple of years. Quite frankly, you were getting in their way of them spending the taxpayer's hard earned money. Now, you get to pay your taxes but don't get to comment on how they should be spent, much like pre-1776 under British rule.

This all appears to be true. Trying to make sense out of this from the online sites is not easy. The new website is filled with pleasant pictures and more difficult to navigate than the old one. It's all caddywampus when it comes to what should be front and center versus what is actually spotlighted. Trying to find the "apology" of Kristin Thorp, for example, is a perfect example. It's buried in an obscure reference that requires several clicks from the front page and and then some guessing:
http://melroseschools.com/school-committee/
"April 8, 2015 – The agenda and minutes from the Committee’s February 12, 2015 meeting have been revised to include additional information for the executive session. The revised documents are here 02.12.15 Revised" After that it seems that instead of showing a clear trail of what actually took place, the main documents were simply changed, whether or not correct votes and process were observed and carefully notated.

Looking further into the district policies, it seems that many years of careful thought about what mattered to Melrose have been wiped away with a lot of gibberish now, most of which just seem to echo the state laws and don't even require stating. There's lots of officious nonsense and a whole lot that seems to be missing from what had been carefully constructed before following a lot of public debate and thoughtful votes.

What characterizes everything this committee does now is a swirl of busy-ness and pompous process while the real stuff has all been done elsewhere and kept far, far away from the interested and concerned eyes of the few of us alert enough to care to hunt for the information and certainly from all of the taxpayers who are being required to pay for it.

A labyrinth has been constructed to keep us away, one way or another. That "4. Budget Questions (15 minutes)" at the end of the meeting thing is a perfect example, where looking through and watching the videos it's clear that hardly anyone has sent in questions to Driscoll for the superintendent to review (censor) and answer (dismiss) at the meeting. More to the point, how would anyone in the public even know what questions had been submitted since Driscoll obviously censors what she thinks are valid questions? And this lousy thing, along with a 10 p.m. "Public Comment" (AFTER deliberation and votes) are what Driscoll crafted as the new chair of Finance and Facilities to fulfill what she deems as "Public Engagement"--both of which are obviously huge failures. Instead, a bunch of naive elementary parents were obviously targeted for their lack of experience with the school system, AND their gullibility and brought in early in the process to fill up the hall for a good show to make it seem like this was a real process. They had their talking points (they all said essentially the same things), and they'll probably all come swarming in for the final rounds, especially if they are told by the Kommandants that there is some danger that the various boondoggles won't get automatically voted in.

In the end it's not really "dysfunctional," since this system/machine is now actually quite effectively constructed to achieve the underlying political goals--total alienation of the general public, total hostile barriers to the few "whiners/haters" who actually know something and are fighting for the greater good, brainwashing of a select group of parents who are marched in quite efficiently when they are recruited, and the dumbing down of the general parent population so that they won't know what to protest about the school system until it's too late--when their kids are far enough along that they can't leave for a better school or when they they are too demoralized to do anything other than keep their heads low and get out (as in graduate).

Meanwhile the administrators and pols will throw enough jargon around that anyone but a very few of us will think that it's all very efficient. They will keep this well-constructed machine marching onwards towards the ultimate reelection of the pols and a big fat series of overrides, bonds, water/sewer tiers, and budget "initiatives" get approved. Simultaneously the fabric of the community gets pulled further and further apart as long-time residents are forced out by unnecessarily rising costs and the education system of our young is allowed to continue its decline below mediocrity into sub-par status across more and more of the district.

Maybe enough have Had Enough, and this dark scenario will all come crashing down, pointing the way to something better. It's unfortunate that it often has to come to that. We have thought that we'd hit bottom before, as in when almost the entire administrative staff along with a bunch of teachers quit en masse almost 3 years ago. Apparently that wasn't rock bottom, and we still have a ways to go. That's too bad for the kids and for the rest of us by extension. We "whiners" need to keep speaking to anyone who will listen! The Kommandants (we know who they are!) are not the real Melrose and they need to go. Our kids need us!

That was worth putting on the reading glasses! Thanks!

"And this lousy thing, along with a 10 p.m. "Public Comment" (AFTER deliberation and votes) are what Driscoll crafted as the new chair of Finance and Facilities to fulfill what she deems as "Public Engagement"--both of which are obviously huge failures. "

It's cynical that they thought they could get away with this and it's ridiculous that they actually did. The "process" is now almost done, and it will march straight into another done deal vote. Mr. 26% has found himself a fine way of maneuvering just about anything he wants to a vote. What he hasn't effectively done behind the facade, though, is fix what was wrong, most of which has gotten significantly worse while most weren't paying attention. Sure, lots of stuff has gotten bought, and some of the infrastructure improvements had to be done and were. Good. But that doesn't tell the bigger picture. There is a smoldering mess underneath it all and it has its own timetable and agenda. He knows this, which is why he's always looking over his shoulder and twitching. Just because he is now adept at manipulating a political machine and a naive public doesn't mean that he's a real leader. That would require integrity and caring about something beyond getting reelected and excessively padding salaries of himself and top bosses. This is a mess and it will come apart. The only question is when.

Gee. Maybe someone else should run and throw the current people out. Just a thought.

So why don't all you critics go to a meeting and be heard in public?

You're one of those parrots (like most on the SC) who have to start everything with "so" because you never developed your thought process very well.

No, there is no reason to schlepp into that dreary chamber and wait until 10 p.m. just to be rudely dismissed in the many ways that that group does, whether in deed or form. That "process" is a sham, and they know this full well. There is no reason to play-act in their gross charade.

There are currently at least 5 topics and well over 100 posts relating to public participation or open meeting law issues. Over the past 3 years of the public participation and OML garbage appearing on this site there are really only 5 people involved. The 1 or 2 regular public participation haunts...I mean participants...and the 2 people who have actually filed OML complaints, and 1 school committee member who supports their cause. What we have here is the same small group of OCD lunatics continually harping on the same issues, week after week, post after post. The interesting thing is that had 2 people not shown up to every SC meeting over the last 3 years and basically wasted the SC's time, public participation would have never changed. This crowd has removed the ability for a normal parent to go to a SC meeting and comment. You clowns (all 5 of you) need to find another obsession...or actually run for office...oops, 2 did and got crushed...maybe the rest of the anonymous clowns on this board can grow a pair of stones and run. The Big Clown, MFD, can be the ring leader. You guys can all pile into MFD's clown car and hold a big rally on the lawn in front of City Hall.

"There are currently at least 5 topics and well over 100 posts relating to public participation or open meeting law issues. "

Who exactly are you accusing of being OCD?

Knowing exactly who this is trying to slam those asking for accountability, the answer for why there is so much focus on the topic of government transparency (and the lack thereof, not only in Melrose, but in the entire state--one of the four worst in the country, according to the Globe articles last month) is easy. This topic matters (or should). That it doesn't matter, or rather, that hiding the public's business is what actually matters to those currently in power is why there needs to be outcry here. The public is slow, but it doesn't like having its basic rights curtailed, as has been done by this school committee and mayor. You ("PP Universe"/aka all kinds of monikers here) are obviously one of those who thinks this is just a bad joke.

But the "joke" is now on you and the objects of your obsession and protection. Funny you didn't have anything to say about Kristin Thorp's admission of breaking the Open Meeting Laws. The tides are finally turning and you are getting more "clownish" with your postings, obviously more threatened now that your dirty agendas are being exposed. You just keep it up with your bizarre postings, though. It lets the rest of us know how increasingly insecure you are.

In response to the foolish post by "Public Participation Universe: Had the school committee clowns, KT and RD listened to the community, they wouldn't be in the huge mess they made for themselves and by default, the citizens of Melrose. They have embarrassed us all with repeated OML violations and now, a Federal Investigation by the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, never mind the weekly embarrassment of our community on MMTV. How embarrassing for the people of this town to know that the officials they voted for and placed their trust in have forgotten who they represent. Also, just a reminder that G Mroz made quite a good showing in the School Committee elections, considering he accepted no contributions and had no previous political exposure whatsoever in this town. Meanwhile, the sitting School Committee's poor record speaks for itself, with only one soul (CKK) questioning the outrageous decision making going on there and actually representing the townspeople. Yes, the RD lackeys who got onto the school committee have certainly made a fine mess over the last several years.

As is quite obvious, you and the RD school committee club are quite afraid of transparency. Gosh, I wonder why?? How many other SC-clown committee/School Administration skeletons are hiding behind that illegal blanket of secrecy? Well, there is the current Federal Civil Rights investigation and illegal cover-up debacle(nice try RD and KT).

How hilarious that you claim that those who are brave enough to demand transparency, and public participation at SC meetings are some how responsible for the School Committee's blatant attempts to strip away both.

https://vimeo.com/126987598 30:05

Powerful budget statement of Mrs. K following business manager refusing to answer explicit questions about legal settlements

Not only this - he and the superintendent refuse to provide CKK with other more basic financial information in order for her to make decisions about budget issues! What are they hiding - and also important - why are not others like Jessica Dugan not more curious about details they don't have access to?

Folks - it's the old power game being played here with Thorp and Taymore - the rest of the committee is just going along, to get along and who suffers? The kids - they all claim to have so much concern for - local government at its worse! You get the corrupt and inept government you vote for.

I wish my School Committee would get a backbone and tell The Superintendent and K Thorpe to knock it off. CKK is the only standing up to the bullying here.

Sorry - but the other committee members have no shame or courage - and they have certainly demonstrated over the years - they have no backbone. The only thing they have are their own agendas - potential job opportunities with the city and to placate vocal elementary school parents.

The majority of the SC demonstrates staggering ignorance that goes right along with their appalling arrogance. Chris' incoherent rant Tuesday night was a perfect example of her colossal ignorance, as is almost anything Kristin ("lovelovelovethis"), Margaret ("hearing angels"), or Facebook Don says. Jessica has some intelligence but her arrogance and zealousness have limited her ability to understand how ignorant she has become in buying into (and selling) the edunonsense that her hero Cyndy espouses. (She and M are so clearly trying to get a job in the district, and both sound/look increasingly crazed.) Mr. 26%, the self-proclaimed "education expert" knows absolutely nothing about education except what he thinks will get him his next raise and reelection (and he believes he was a Gifted and Talented student who was never recognized as such!). Fools all. And dangerous. They have caused great harm already and want to do much more. They are quite willing to bully anyone who crosses them, also, as can be seen during virtually any meeting, as they feel cloaked and empowered by their regressive and foolish rules.

You misunderstand. SC members who have permitted the Super and the SC chair K Thorpe to withhold requested school related information from our elected School Committee representative in order to execute their fiduciary responsibilities on behalf of the citizens of Melrose have violated the public trust.