“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. #mlkday
This is the same superintendent who allowed and contributed largely for the following to happen and was promoted with a larger salary by the corrupt school committee/mayor instead of being held accountable:
Page 7
http://melroseschools.com/administration/presentations/ocr/ocr-findings-01-14-1259/#sthash.OdVuDnIE.dpbs
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. #mlkday
This is the same superintendent who allowed and contributed largely for the following to happen and was promoted with a larger salary by the corrupt school committee/mayor instead of being held accountable:
Page 7
http://melroseschools.com/administration/presentations/ocr/ocr-findings-01-14-1259/#sthash.OdVuDnIE.dpbs
Shameful Melrose!
1. Guilty on 4 counts by the OCR: violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 8th grade History teacher and president of the teacher's union (MEA) Naomi Baline and buddy of Taymore.
Deliberate cover up and inept investigation by Asst. Superintendent Patricia White-Lambright for PPS.
Violation by the School Committee in not posting on the agenda about a complaint brought against an educator which is an Open Meeting Law violation etc. Guilty finding.
2. Firing teacher Kristen McCarthy for refusing to follow the directive of the Fine Arts Chair to "separate the students of color". Representing the teacher was OCR violator Baline, the one who made the "plantation, master/slave" remarks to the 8th grade student in front of witnesses. Also representing this teacher was MTA Field Rep. Jill Colman. Why bother paying union dues when the union is just as corrupt as administration. Worse, shame on the teachers under the Chair. At least three teachers that I know of who had tenure and had the same racist remarks said to them for being gutless cowards and not coming forward in defense of McCarthy AND they followed the racist directive separating the black students. Pending at MCAD.
3. No action taken to the MHS Sped teacher, SC, who had complaints filed against her for making racist remarks to students. SC, who was brought in by family friend, ETF Carrie Berman, who helped cover it up. Racist remarks and actions from SC to at least 3 honor roll black mentors from Melrose and Metco. Subsequently, Berman was then promoted to MHS Asst. Principal. So what if three adults came forward and reported what they knew to reporter Liebowitz and PWL. The three mentors told their story to Liebowitz. Union notes documenting reporting the incidents to Berman, Fogarty, and Farrell where given to the reporter as well. In the end racist teacher's job saved, perpetrators in the cover up had their status elevated, story got killed by the editor after speaking to Taymore and Lambright. Then not too long after the reporter was transferred out of Melrose. I mean, how many people have to come forward and go on record to have action taken. Thank godness i have copies of all statements and reports from all as does the MCAD, pending.
4. Complaint filed by parent against an MHS Guidance Councelor. Reported to Berman, Farrell. Nothing done. Reported to Taymore. Zilch. Reported in writing to the Board of Ed with copies sent to all School Committee members, Mayor Dolan, Superintendent Taymore, Principal Farrell. Apparently it's ok to sexually harass a black, gay student, no investigation done, cause boys will be boys. Guidance councelor's job saved of course.
Do I need to go on or will Melrose open their eyes? Why do you think Dolan bailed or Taymores job extended. They all knew and DID NOTHING!! The chickens are coming to roost.
Sadly, this just scratches the surface. It is so much worse than you could imagine. The blatant use of school resource officer and city solicitor by administration to fabricate false charges against complainants and witnesses in order to extort complainants and witnesses to drop complaints. The use of local courts to file false harassment charges against complainants, parents and even children as an intimidation tactic. It goes on all the time. Need I go on?
ALL the time. I could write a book on the retaliatory behavior of administrators, some principals, teachers and support staff. It's ugly and cruel beyond words or comprehension. The tactic utilized are ruthless causing fear and a feeling of hopelessness. As a city, we are cowards for not taking the time to vet these allegations (truths) and putting an end to all this hate. Sick!!
Unfortunately, the city solicitor is on the wrong side of the law, intent on only protecting public school administrator perps, and lo, even employs the coercion and extortion tactics himself, threatening to file harassment charges on behalf of the perpetrator against victims and even witnesses to instill fear in those who dare file a complaint against a school administrator or educator. How this man has not been disbarred from "practicing law" (hardly) is beyond incredible, seeing as so many are quite aware of his abhorrent behavior within the citizenry, school department, city hall and PD.
This community wishes it were open to all. The list is getting longer. Needs to say Melrose: Is Working to be A Community Opened to All"
Nice fantasy but not at all true. In fact all evidence points to the contrary. The voters have proven themselves to be entirely apathetic (with the notable exception of the strong override vote). The BOA and the SC are made up of rubber-stamps who have to date done absolutely zero to hold to account those who have committed illegal acts and allowed the creation of the well-documented and legally defined "racially hostile environment" in the public schools. Not only have they not taken action to rein in the rogue actors, they have been directly complicit in their unquestioning and even adoring support of the school administration. They have funded each and every budget request. They have done nothing to exercise their oversight role. This is a deeply shameful state of affairs, and the citizens of Melrose share a large part of the blame.
Beyond the violation of federal civil rights laws, one need only have listened to the articulate METCO address at the recent commencement exercises to learn of the shameful and chronic bad conduct in this city towards students of color. There are many other examples for those interested in actual truth rather than the Guilfoil-PR Firm-whitewashed version of the Melrose Alternate Facts as promoted by those in power.
Granted, there is definitely a "racially hostile environment" within the school administration, but there is also a hostile environment towards those with learning and social/emotional disabilities on a shockingly large scale. The "hostility" has two different components: Part one: The actual acts of civil rights violations (sometimes carried out by students but predominately by educators and administrators). Part two, the rampant and highly illegal intimidation and retaliation by the school administration and city legal counsel against complainants and witnesses.
Part two is a much more serious issue as it concerns criminal behavior: The use of a city employee's position, office, and public resources under his/her control to threaten false criminal charges against complainants (and even witnesses) to compel them to withdraw civil rights complaints they have brought to the attention of school officials.