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What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

Not sure what is going with Superintendent Cindy Taymore and her unprofessional behavior and rant during last Tuesday’s school committee meeting. She displayed poor behavior in front of the cameras and before high school students present during the meeting. This all came about during the public session when Gerry Mroz discussed the signed teacher’s contract last September and his evaluation of it after obtaining a copy of it.

Gerry Mroz provided hard copies of his 4 page analysis of the contract to all school committee members in advance of the meeting and he briefly summarize his analysis during the public session indicating numerous inconsistencies and inaccurate in its content, as well as ambiguities which require additional clarity. He also noted that there were many inconsistencies between the Memorandum of Understanding, which the school committee had agreed to and the actual wording in the final written contract signed in September of 2013. For this Mr. Mroz was pilloried by Ms. Taymore using the word “dam*” so many times in her tirade and emphasizing how hard she and her staff had worked to move this school system forward even though under her tenure these past several years the percentage of students going onto 2 & 4 year colleges has been decreasing!

The question remains that considering teachers have recently received the largest pay raise in Melrose history, averaging 22-27% over the 3 year contract, why shouldn't the residents of Melrose expect more from its teachers and school leaders?

Ms. Taymore should spend less time talking about how hard she and her staff work and spend more time in improving student outcomes and to “clean up her act” if she expects the taxpayers of this city to consider her a credible administrator.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

I used to think that there was only a handful of people that really cared about what was going on in the school system. Then I realized that over 500 families care. They care enough not to send their children to Melrose schools.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

Here is the scholarly analysis of Mr. Mroz that we received (as did the elected officials; whether they choose to pay attention or not, we are grateful for this work and help in understanding the complex issues). There is an additional page of spreadsheets that accompany this, that surely he would provide to anyone who asks for it. This man needs to be elected to this body!

February 11, 2014

Dear School Committee Member,

Here are a few notes about the contract with the teacbers which you will consider tonight. I could write many more. It’s unfortunate that the School Committee and the Administration didn’t engage with the public prior to negotiating so it could learn more perspective about concepts to apply to the contract or about the structural changes our district needs which could have been reflected in the contract.

The “Integrated Contract,” which purportedly reflects the Memoranda of Understanding which were signed on September 19, 2013, contains internal contradictions. It also still contains language from prior-term contracts which is obsolete and should have been removed. It contains ambiguities which need clarification. Please don’t approve this contract until all the contradictions and ambiguities are resolved. A contract which defines the expenditure of more than $50 Million Dollars in salary (without including benefits) should not be so defective.

How do the large salary increases listed each year for the three years detailed in Appendix A of the "integrated contract” comport with the 1% salary increase each year specified in the written language of Section 42 on page 48?

The salary increases many teachers would receive as detailed in Appendix A for FY14 are in a range of 10% - 12% above the amounts listed in the schedule for FY13 detailed in the old contract. The salary increases many teachers would receive as detailed in Appendix A for FY15 are in the range of 6% - 7% over the amounts listed in Appendix A for FY14. The salary increases many teachers would receive as detailed in Appendix A for FY16 are in the range of 7% - 8% over the amounts listed in Appendix A for FY15. In total, applying the salary increases in Appendix A would result in salary increases in the range of 25% - 27% over the three years for a significant portion of our teacher population (and not including increases due to lane changes). These amounts clearly are not close to the 1%, 1%, 1% stated in Section 42. How can the schools and the city afford such large percentage increases to its largest cost account without failing students due to the omissions in so many other areas?

Even for teachers who were already at the highest step of the salary schedule in FY13, the salary increases listed in Appendix A are approximately 7% in FY14, an additional 2% for FY15 and an additional 3% for FY16. The total increase under Appendix A for these teachers already at the highest step level in FY13, is approximately 12.5% over the three years of the contract (not including longevity increases and lane changes). The total increase for these teachers under the language of 1%, 1%, and 1% in Section 42 would be 3.03%. Again, how does Schedule A comport with the language of 1%, 1% and 1% written in Section 42?

It appears as if the two members of the School Committee who served on the bargaining team, and the Superintendent, did not apprise the entire School Committee of the huge salary increase embedded in the schedule in Appendix A, and which is in direct contradiction to the 1%, 1%, and 1% language in Section 42. Presumably, such a large salary increase for the largest collective bargaining unit in the city cannot occur without seeking a funding source or making major cuts in other budget areas. The School Committee did not discuss this issue in public session – did it discuss it in executive session? If so, please provide the minutes of those executive sessions to me.

Appendix A has another conflict with the contract language. The contract refers to eleven step levels, while Appendix A only lists ten. If there are now only ten steps as listed in Appendix A, does that also mean there is a year in which a teacher doesn't receive a step level increase and also doesn't receive a longevity pay increase (since the longevity increases only apply starting in year twelve)?

Although there is likely tradition as to applying longevity pay increases, there is no specificity in the contract as to how the longevity pay increases are applied. Does an employee receive $300 increase in year 12 only, and $1,100 only in year 16, etc? or does an employee receive $300 in each of years 12-15, then $1,100 in each of years 16-19, etc.?

If the large salary increases in Appendix A were intended by the School Committee, why did the School Committee not obtain significant structural concessions from the teachers in exchange for such large salary increases? Some long-recognized and needed changes are: at least a slightly longer school day to allow for reasonable lunch periods, requiring teachers to post every assignment on Aspen, requiring teachers to return student work within a reasonable time frame, requiring teachers to commit out-of-school time for parent conferences, etc.

Instead of obtaining significant concessions, the School Committee gave away three extra half-days each year to the teachers through the contract. Half days hinder student learning. If the School Committee intended to let students out early on the day before Winter Vacation, the day before February vacation and the day before Summer Vacation, why didn’t the School Committee designate those days as Professional Development Days instead of taking three other half days from students during the school year? The students would be better served through the preservation of three full school days while the teachers presumably do not need to start each vacation two hours earlier.

Please clarify the language in Section 42 which reads, "These raises are on the Bachelor's, Master's, Master's + 30 and Doctor's columns of the teacher salary schedule currently in force under Appendix A, provided that, effective at the start of the 2013-2014 work year, they will be applied across-the-board to all steps in all lanes." What is the application of the chosen word, currently? Is it today, or last year, before the term of the contract began? What does the reference to just the four lanes mean in context? Are the old contract’s eleven lanes of Bachelors, and +15, +30, +45, +60; Masters, and +15,+30, +45, +60; and Doctorate still included as the raises are deemed to be “applied across-the-board?” Appendix A seems to eliminate Bachelors +30 and +45, while it also seems to combine Bachelors +60 with Masters. How does that square with “all steps in all lanes?”

Under the old contract, job sharing was supposed to finally end after the 2011-2012 school year. It’s long been recognized that the job sharing which has been done is a detriment to the learning of the affected students. Why was job sharing for 2013-2014 included in this contract? Under the old contract, presumably, there was no job sharing after the 2011-2012 school year. That would mean there should not have been job sharing in the 2012-2013 school year. Why was job sharing added back in for the 2013-2014 school year or was it allowed in 2012-2013 against the terms of the old contract?

I find it interesting that the contract continues to include what is represented as an “early departure incentive.” Why do we feel that early retirement benefits our students? Do we believe that all older teachers need to leave because the money we pay them is not worth the expertise they have gained over many years in helping educate our students?

The early retirement incentive is represented in three ways. First, a teacher can receive an extra $1,000 each year for ten years after age 45. That appears to help retain a teacher by offering an extra $1,000 for those ten years, but that teacher would then, presumably, want to leave because s/he will no longer receive the $1,000. Is that really an early retirement incentive? Is it a teacher retirement incentive? Whose interest is served by that mechanism?

Second, a teacher can receive $10,000 if s/he notifies the system of intent to retire by December 31 for a June 30th date after age 55? Is this really an incentive to retire or is it just an extra windfall upon normal retirement? Third, a teacher can elect to receive an additional salary or $750 in their last year before retirement to artificially boost their retirement pay.

There are caveats for the above departure devices, but how do they promote student learning? How does this document promote student learning?

Additionally, if this document had really been edited effectively, it would no longer include references to stale deadlines for applying for job sharing for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years.

If this contract was the result of Interest-Based Bargaining, the interests of the students and the taxpayers of Melrose were not adequately represented in the process. Students need far more than giving teachers more money without direct benefit to the students. Taxpayers are on the hook for significant cumulative costs from this contract without any direct gains guaranteed for the students.

The contract states that an underperforming teacher (only in the first ten years of service) may not experience an automatic step increase. This is certainly better than before. Why does the contract consider step increase as automatic otherwise? Why aren’t step increases applied only for exemplary teachers and not for ones needing significant improvement until they, too, improve?

Because so much money is offered to teachers in this contract, it may well be necessary to reduce the staff in our schools to the detriment of students.

If it requires an override to pay the teachers under the burden of this contract, Melrose will certainly become another Weston, Lexington or Winchester in terms of its property taxes. That will be sure, but it may occur without any surety that there will be parity with those towns in student educational experiences or outcomes. A contract is not just about money, but this contract was certainly focused on the money.

Paying more money for anything doesn’t actually get the job done, whether it’s science kits, science labs, textbooks or smartboards. Those are just tools. What gets the job done is ongoing vigilance in action true to making a school system that is better for our students.

Gerry Mroz

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

When you look at all the issues with this contract as Mr. Mroz rightly points out,it's as if idiots wrote the contract! They had essentially one year to get everything right in this contract as negotiations proceeded through that period, and this is the product of their efforts?

Given that Ms. Taymopre, Ms. Driscoll, and the Mayor played an important part in putting this contract together, can anyone question why our schools are in the shape they are and our financial school health so tenuous as explained by them at Tuesday's school committee meeting? As the saying goes...you get the government you vote for!

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

It is astonishing. A labor contract must be airtight. Anything less invites a plethora or problems.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

Yes, it is astonishing that this level of incompetence and political manipulation is acceptable here, but with a crack team of Dolan, Taymore, Driscoll, and Picone and Della Russo, it's what we should expect. They've kept their cards close to the vest because they don't want anyone to look too closely at what they are doing or not doing. They want sole power to manipulate the budgets, negotiate contracts, etc. Then you add in the crack legal team drafting these shoddy contracts (Van Campen, Hollender), and you've got a first class mess.

It can only change if enough of us start paying closer attention and demand answers.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

http://melrosecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1340

The contract is "Snapshot 14853" (who is maintaining this messed up method of naming files????) under item 7.1a.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

You forgot to mention Naomi Baline the president of the MEA. Some might think she's done wonders for the teachers with this contract. Ah contraire. Who is she REALLY working for. She was in Casey's pocket and now Taymores. Oh they go many places together, regular gal-pals. Who will and has she sold out to make this deal? How has she personally benefited? These are vital questions in solving why Taymore and her crew basically gave away the kitchen sink with barely nothing gained. As we all know in negotiations there is give and take. Sometimes one side benefits a little better than the other. When was the last time anyone has seen one side gain so much especially in this economy? Now when I say this, I am not begrudging teachers from gaining the upper hand. Financially they have. But now watch what happens. There are almost always sidebar agreements that never make it in a contract. I'll look the other way while this and that occurs. I think as things unfold the teachers will be asking themselves did we sell our soles to the devil in voting yes. Some already have.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

Ah.....come on....don't begrudge the teachers...they had the children in mind when they signed this contract. Didn't you notice that the contract includes along with their 25% pay increase a 2-minute longer school day?

These contracts are always about the kids! Oh....I forgot to mention....more professional development time because you can't expect teachers to know how to teach...and more time off before major holidays after all they have families too...you can't do everything you want during 2-1/2 months off in the summer!

Of course you have to wonder now with this contract signed....they will probably need to be layoffs, needed school materials which can't be purchased, IT system that can't be upgraded, critical school positions not filled, and deteriorating buildings that can't be fixed...all because of the monies spent on higher teacher and admin salaries. But again..remember....it's all about the kids!!!!

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

"para": Whoever you are, thank you. You are obviously someone who knows what's going on and who cares. This last statement of yours is particularly important (they all were in some sense) because it captures a really dangerous thing that has happened with the close personal alliance that defines the relationship between the super and union president. While $ was hugely and wildly spent, neither the student outcomes nor the morale will improve at all or in any significant way because the unspoken contract is based on quicksand: the administration (1) does not know how to lead, (2) has no HR expertise nor does it care; (3) has no concern about treating teachers/staff with total incompetence and disrespect (which it does routinely); (4) will do anything (including victimize teachers/staff unfairly) as long as it furthers the appearance of implementing "effectively" the new evaluation system as it appears to those whom the super plans to be hired as a consultant after she unceremoniously dumps her job on Morticia or some other incompetent crony and "retires." There is no concern about the poor hiring and retention practices, nor will there be any outrage let alone effective/appropriate leadership from the union prez, who is doing a lousy job, having anger management issues of her own, taking out her issues on the kids and who has long ago lost sight of her primary mission as the union leader, despite her enormous abilities and intelligence. She, the mayor and his negotiating team (MD), & super sold the teachers, the kids, and the taxpayers down the river, none of whom actually benefit in the long run, unless all that anyone cares about is paying the teachers more money. If anyone thinks that this alone (or all that PD taught by the likes of Morticia) will improve the situation, all they need to do is look around at the wreckage of the school system to see the dysfunction of the moving parts.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

To MF, as a union person myself it is the goal to negotiating all you can. You may be aware or not but twice not only the teachers, paras, well the whole city has had wage freezes. I have family in the system as well who have been denied services they should have received. I know first hand the good and the bad and not just my family or special needs. I despise the corruption and manipulation. Collusion with management to the detriment of the union, it's members and the students.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

Wow! That is a deep dive by GM. He should run for SC himself...oh wait, nevermind.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

At least he gave it a shot. What have you done?

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

Oh how I wished I could have attended the SC meeting tonight but I had to prep work for tomorrow. Let's see if Mt. Paymore will behave like the professional Melrose has paid top dollar for. Personally pray she displays her natural self. Vindictive. Petty. Liar.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

They behaved quite badly and were called out, particularly the superintendent and Driscoll, both of whom deserved it. The mayor did his usual windbag stump speech routine, this time hammering away at a new topic (since his usual doom-and-gloom circles around laying the groundwork for an Override; tonight it was about weed! Funny! The rest, except the one who marches to the beat of a real drummer, did their usual silly affirmations of wonderfulness. That new one is quite the brown-noser, and it's getting grosser by the meeting. Public really blew it with that one, especially if anyone was thinking they'd be getting intelligent advocacy. Bring back Golini! At least we could wait for a wardrobe malfunction or something fun to emerge, as it were, with her.

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

Glad to hear a member of the public who came forward last night and ripped the SC a new one for their failure to adhere to appropriate/legal conduct and failure to hold their sole employee accountable for her unprofessional and unethical conduct. So much for their nauseating policies, "norms" (who came up with that silly euphemism?) and all the other hypocritical garbage they delight in wasting copious amounts of airtime putting forward to make themselves look important and efficient. Officious, yes, efficient no (and don't even talk about professional, ethical, or educationally appropriate because those words don't even have a place in that group, with one well-known exception).

Good to see that Dolores Umbrage was called out for her gross and unprofessional conduct, also, though the method was a bit too strident and made the person speaking less effective (though the message was absolutely correct). It has to be difficult getting up there in front of that cabal and maintaining composure. The guy who spoke was terrific, kept his cool and really nailed it, knows what he's talking about, and wouldn't yield an inch when they wrongly tried to shut him down on false grounds. He obviously knows the law and policies/procedures better than they do! More like this need to come forward (am thinking about it myself). There is power in numbers, and this bunch needs to know that We're Not Taking it Anymore!

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

Note Dolan's attempt to whitewash the survey results. This is a problem everywhere, not just melrose.
Uh, how about the numbers which show that Melrose had a much higher incidence of bullying and suicidal thoughts than the state average?
Dolan: Look at all these committees and alliances! We are awesome!
Uh, how about the fact that those are preventative and educational which is all well and good, but does not help the children who are in crisis NOW? No adjustment counselor (although I hear the Winthrop has one to themselves) at the middle or high school. 4 or 5 High School counselors do double duty as college counselors and guidance counselors for nearly 1000 students. One nurse for 1000 students. But Mr. Mayor says this is not a school issue, so it must be so.

Re:When I was being bullied .

Yuck
Note Dolan's attempt to whitewash the survey results. This is a problem everywhere, not just melrose.
Uh, how about the numbers which show that Melrose had a much higher incidence of bullying and suicidal thoughts than the state average?
Dolan: Look at all these committees and alliances! We are awesome!
Uh, how about the fact that those are preventative and educational which is all well and good, but does not help the children who are in crisis NOW? No adjustment counselor (although I hear the Winthrop has one to themselves) at the middle or high school. 4 or 5 High School counselors do double duty as college counselors and guidance counselors for nearly 1000 students. One nurse for 1000 students. But Mr. Mayor says this is not a school issue, so it must be so.
I am the voice of those afraid to speak,
Those of us that society calls weak...
Those you ridicule everyday,
The ones who have nothing to say...
We have feelings too, okay??And Walking through the school yard,
And sickened by what I see..
All this hatred,
But nothing that surprises me.

Innocent people hated,
Because of who they are.
They wear long sleeves,
To ..I go to school
There you are
Laughing about what I am
Giving me scars
My heart is ripped open
My mind filled with thoughts of rage
Your words have me trapped
Within an iron cage

I cannot And just another day,
filled with regret and despair
why is my life like this?
it's so unfair?

those beautiful girls at school,
do they not ever feel like me?
or is their life perfect?
filled ......... And I cry myself to sleep at night
Just wishing it would stop
Maybe tomorrow it will cease
Then again, maybe not

You push me and you poke me
You call me hurtful name
To me it's like a prison
To .......... And his is me.
It's all I know how to be.
I won't change for you,
This me is brand new.
You can call me names,
But one day I'm gonna have fame.
You can beat me down,
But still I will not .When I was being bullied and pushed around,
I wasn't even able to make a sound.
Sometimes one of them would nag,
Saying they weren't using me properly like a punching bag.
I wish I could have hit .Does gossiping get you anywhere?
Does anybody actually believe it?
I don't get why they would,
All their doing is getting other people
To talk about you and not themselves.
It's really not the. They mock me as I sit here,
They mock me in my sleep,
With their makeup and boutique,
They mock what I do, say and like,
I don’t mock them,
I just sit here quietly,
Bottled up like I should.Once upon a time......
There were two very mean people
They were mean as dragons
There words were cold and hurtful
as cold as the winter snow.


Re: Re:When I was being bullied .

I AM GOING TO ATTMEPT TO BE KIND….PLEASE STOP WITH THE SOPHOMORIC POETRY. It doesn’t have ANY place on this board for serious discussion.

I sense that this is heartfelt, but it only serves to diminish any meaningful discussion. It may be meaningful to you but unfortunately it is rudimentary. Your friends and family may encourage you in your laudable efforts at creativity however it sullies what the discussion is and actually marginalizes what is being said on this board.

Please STOP NOW!

Re: Re:When I was being bullied .

Couldn't help but notice while watching the school committee meeting last Tuesday that Ms. Taymore has not apologized to us for her unprofessional and disrespectful behavior at the previous school committee meeting when she used unacceptable language when she took exception of comments made by a member of the public during public comment. Even at this meeting a member of the public chided her again for her language at the previous meeting and requested her apology....needless to say...she refused. Finally her arrogance and disrespect for proper decorum was on display for all to see!

Also, during this meeting she presented her draft budget to the committee which was not only confusing and difficult to understand, it was poorly developed and written. Didn't Ms. Taymore learn from last year's experience when she submitted her budget to the BOA and it was done so improperly, that the BOA would not accept it! This significantly delayed getting her budget approved by BOA.

At Tuesday night's meeting, she alerted everyone that the budget is currently 1.2 million over-budget! Wow....nice going Ms. Taymore....after giving your admin raises, after she was given a pay raise and after negotiating the richest teacher's contract in Melrose history, she notes that the school budget for next year is in the negative! I guess that is to be expected given the incompetence of her and her administration!

Re: Re:When I was being bullied .

The budget being over by $1.2 million is deliberate. She doesn't operate in a vacuum. Just setting the stage for an override.

Re: Re:When I was being bullied .

kudos
The budget being over by $1.2 million is deliberate. She doesn't operate in a vacuum. Just setting the stage for an override.


Sure enough that is exactly the plan, and it was cooked up with RD and CFO (same guy who left his previous town in serious debt for water/sewer) on purpose (the school budget manager is too incompetent to be anything other than a tool--look at the lousy excuse for a Budget document here).

http://1i8brn1xoauz1pwsvo1ktb7vb1q.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/FY15-DRAFT-Budget.pdf

This is all a ruse to set the stage for this boondoggle. They give away money like candy to those whom they can manipulate and therefore must reward--administrators, etc. They do a crap job at negotiating contracts with the citizens' best interests being represented. They seriously neglect critically important things for years and years--like the basic textbooks or technology that is necessary for education--and then throw money around like it's nothing--like buying fancy toys (Smartboards) for every single classroom (not because there is any proof that this was a legitimate way to improve the education for all kids but because it's showy and makes the top brass look like heroes and impresses all the naive parents who want to believe these things are what have taken Melrose "from good to great"--will scream if that garbage is repeated). Now a bunch of eager self-serving elementary parents have done a power grab at the top and are engineering this boondoggle of a budget process so that the collective hand-wringing can escalate the district into a contrived crisis that can only be saved with an override.

Meanwhile actual love of learning and joy in teaching is being stamped out by a bunch of charlatan hacks who think that adding boatloads of "assessments" (mustn't call them tests) is what constitutes "state of the art" education here in Melrose now. For the past few years the drumroll about "data-driven evidence" has been hammering away drowning out any of the actual evidence that is right in front of everyone's collective noses. Predictably every other year the hacks latch onto each new buzzword or phrase--"meeting the needs of all learners," "co-teaching model," "interventionists," and then piles of money is approved to buy a short ton of data specialists, co-teachers, interventionists, software/hardware for lots of impressive-sounding trendy programs, etc. that they will never use properly and mostly just allow to fade away in time for the next wave of stuff they insist must be bought with bonds, overrides, and lots of political rhetoric. Meanwhile good school systems have been investing in good teachers and doing their homework carefully about the nuts and bolts purchases all along, but that isn't a sexy process to the hacks or naive parents here, of course. Education isn't improving under these hacks, nor will it. No amounts of bonding for all the things that haven't been attended to for decades and no override will fix the underlying problem. Melrose parents and citizens have to wake up and take hold of this school system before it completely implodes (as it's been demonstrating quite spectacularly already).

Re: Re:When I was being bullied .

Taxpayers need to withhold their real estate taxes for a year or two. Nothing will happen to you. Any modest penalties you accrue will be forgiven when you repay. The only way to stop the madness is to stop feeding the beast.

at its core

kudos
Taxpayers need to withhold their real estate taxes for a year or two. Nothing will happen to you. Any modest penalties you accrue will be forgiven when you repay. The only way to stop the madness is to stop feeding the beast.


This is a decent idea.

To add to what "parent" insightfully said, there is also the underlying scheme of many of these self-serving parents to get themselves hired into soft jobs with the district/city, as many of them have done. There are many good and generous souls who contribute their efforts with no strings attached, just because that's what decent and engaged parents who have the time and resources do because they want to contribute and make things better, not for any political gain for themselves or their kids. Luckily Melrose has many of these great people. But then there are the others. It starts when they think they can buy influence with the elementary teachers and principals, so they shove their way into room mommy or PTO heavy (just like the obnoxious church ladies who stake out their fiefdom with more zeal and effectiveness than Congressional candidates). The dads are doing something similar out there on the ball fields, making sure everyone knows who's kid has the biggest one. There are even a few of these dads who've muscled into the PTO, working groups, search committee fiefdoms, with top brass espousing the "expertise" of these so-called brilliant businessmen (regardless of whether they have demonstrated any actual success in "communication," or "HR," or know the first thing about what works in education). But there nearly always is a self-serving aspect for these zealot parents, who are seeking influence for their kids and/or an eventual soft job with the city. The pols eat it up, of course, because these parents become their lobbying group. They are pushy (not just energetic) and they don't care a whole lot about the fine print, more about the grand scheme in which they can enjoy feeling connected and powerful. Look around and see how many of these types are now employed by the city and think about whether there might have been truly qualified individuals who could be working those jobs instead, improving the overall quality of the endeavors. Look at how many of those pushy parents are directing the top brass in administrative decisions and hiring, regardless of whether the decisions are sound. That works for the arrogant pols who think they know everything and couldn't be bothered with any facts that contradict their bloated self-image, and it works for the pols who are never going to be heavy lifters but want to think they are managing things well playing along with the shell game that suffices for an actual informed process. Melrose has a large crop of these types. Until this environment of corrupt political patronage at the local level is tackled, nothing will change. The effects carry over into everything, including the bullying that is rampant here. It all connects, and it must be understood and unraveled if it's going to get better at its core. Even communities with much dirtier political landscapes have figured out how to make their education systems work well, so it's definitely possible. But there has to be a will for change, and that's what seems most lacking here. Too many are content to bury their heads and instead sing with the out-of-tune rah-rah chorus.

Re: Re:When I was being bullied .

kudos
Taxpayers need to withhold their real estate taxes for a year or two. Nothing will happen to you. Any modest penalties you accrue will be forgiven when you repay. The only way to stop the madness is to stop feeding the beast.


That actually is a good idea. Here's how I would suggest it be done. First, ascertain exactly what percentage of the city budget goes to the schools. Second, calculate the dollar amount of whatever that percentage of your tax bill is. Third, open an escrow account at a local bank and deposit that percentage of your tax bill into it. Fourth, send the remaining bill balance to the tax collector, with a letter explaining that you have withheld the percentage of your payment equal to the school percentage and placed it in an escrow account, and give them your reasons for doing so.

It has become crystal clear that no amount of calm, rational, thoughtful attempts at discussion has any effect whatever on those who control the school system. There is no reason at all to be optimistic that that will change in the future. It is time for a taxpayer revolt. Those in power will only respond when their own personal interests are threatened. If you want to throw some media light on this catastrophe, and not the local bought and paid for media, this would certainly accomplish that, and this administration will crumble under the barest of exposure.

A good thing? Not even close - inexcusable that it has come to this. Totally necessary? Without question.

Re: Re:When I was being bullied .

I concur.

From Wicked Local: http://melrose.wickedlocal.com/article/20140226/NEWS/140227012/?tag=2

How much more of this are you willing to stand for?

Re: Re:When I was being bullied .

Good Idea
kudos
Taxpayers need to withhold their real estate taxes for a year or two. Nothing will happen to you. Any modest penalties you accrue will be forgiven when you repay. The only way to stop the madness is to stop feeding the beast.


That actually is a good idea. Here's how I would suggest it be done. First, ascertain exactly what percentage of the city budget goes to the schools. Second, calculate the dollar amount of whatever that percentage of your tax bill is. Third, open an escrow account at a local bank and deposit that percentage of your tax bill into it. Fourth, send the remaining bill balance to the tax collector, with a letter explaining that you have withheld the percentage of your payment equal to the school percentage and placed it in an escrow account, and give them your reasons for doing so.

It has become crystal clear that no amount of calm, rational, thoughtful attempts at discussion has any effect whatever on those who control the school system. There is no reason at all to be optimistic that that will change in the future. It is time for a taxpayer revolt. Those in power will only respond when their own personal interests are threatened. If you want to throw some media light on this catastrophe, and not the local bought and paid for media, this would certainly accomplish that, and this administration will crumble under the barest of exposure.

A good thing? Not even close - inexcusable that it has come to this. Totally necessary? Without question.



ABSOLUTELY

Re: What's Going on with Superintendent Cindy Taymore?

Contempt is the underlying truth here. This administration, this mayor, the power-crazed parents embody the word contempt. They don't know the meaning of the word respectful, nor do they care to understand why so many are so troubled about the education system in Melrose. They dismiss anyone and everyone who doesn't share their views. They have a dismissive answer to every dissenting view. Some are crafty enough to pretend to care or give voice to some superficial understanding. The superintendent does this frequently, as does the mayor. The underlying contempt is inescapable, however.

Nothing will change until those who embody this contempt are forced to be humbled, either by losing an election, failure to get a contract renewed, or best of all, by a large public outcry that brings them to their knees and forces change before any further damage is done. This last thing is the most possible in the immediate future (the other things will take time).

Occupy Melrose Public Schools could be a real thing and could have tangible effects in short order. It, too, would require organizing and energy, but it is definitely possible. It's pretty evident who could be contacted to be out front. Parents and community members will need to stop being reticent or acting out of fear of retribution. Power in numbers, folks!

The tax withholding strategy could be one arm of this movement, and it is a fine idea. But much more needs to be protested than just the poor management of the budget. These people are hurting kids every day with their arrogance and incompetence in the management of the schools.

Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

To all those considering an occupation of Melrose Public Schools and withholding your tax payment, I say:

Please do it. I am begging you. That just might be the funniest, craziest scheme ever originating from Melrose Messages, I am begging you to do it.

PS - To the poet, I loved the poem. Keep it up, don't let the haters try to tell what should and should not be relevant on a blog site. Here's a little inspiration for the tax withholder crowd:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;


Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,


And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.


I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

I'm far from a "hater". I happen to love Robert Frost. But our self appointed poet laureate of this board is not Robert Frost.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

Had to work Tuesday night. I really wanted to attend the SC meeting to witness first hand what would happen since Tamore's tirade at GM. So I finally caught it on MMTV today. It just makes me sick to see how the citizens of Melrose are spoken to by the SC chair. Watching the public comment part and listening to Thorpe cut through that woman for speaking up about Margaret Driscoll's eye rolling made me so angry. I wanted to reach through the tv and give both Driscoll and Thorpe a "6¡+¢8 slap." Of course I would never do that as I am a non-violent revolutionary. I do believe the pen is mightier than the sword. Then I was so happy to hear the well-spoken gentlemen speak of his disgust at Taymore's disrespect and lack of professionalism from the prior meeting and felt somewhat better. Thorpe tried to shut him down, but like CK, he prepared carefully written words that cut the legs out right from under the chair. Isn't it a shame the majority of this constant nasty catfighting by SC bullies are the women. Instead of rallying around an issue and displaying strength Taymore, Thorpe and Driscoll only bring women down. Why does it seem next to impossible for these women to hold a position of power where they could truley make a difference for the good and they harp on petty jealousies. For some reason they think being a royal witch riding their broomsticks gives them power when it's really just smoke and mirrors, an illusion of being intelligent and trustworthy, which is contrary to what makes a strong woman. Maybe the three of them are on the same cycle. And out of this Melrose is stuck going around and around getting know where except deeper in debt. And the students are getting deeper and deeper into the 60's drug culture only it's not "peace, love, dope" it's piece, love-dope. You don't need to read the survey to see the through. Casatelli is is a follower trying to fit in with the mean girls, but doesn't quite make the grade. The CLAN keep her at arms length, looking through the window wanting to step in from the cold. Constantine is probably not a bad guy but he doesn't have the gonads to cut against the grain. And our (dis)honorable mayor is a blow hard with half a sack.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

I'm sorry. I forgot to mention another lapse in judgement of our SUPERintendent. James 'Jay' Picone. OK, so I'm sure there is a brain in there somewhere, at least in the mathematical section. However, you would never know it when he speaks publicly. Granted, some people are smart but are not capable of being well-spoken in public arenas, but really!?! This guy is a nimrod. I know, I know it is not kind to name call. I just don't know any other way to say it. So to Ms Taymore. You did your friend a favor by hiring her son. You gave him a shot but it's not working out. He's an embarrassment to this administration and a disservice to our community. It's time to say goodbye to bad rubbish. For a woman who considers herself wise, this extension of you is contrare to what you claim you are trying to attain here in Smellrose. Highly-educated. I have a friend who took a two-day course in QuickBooks who could do a better job and not look like an incompetent moron. Just his facial expressions alone. He looks and acts like a deer caught in the headlights, the precursor to what comes next, incompetent mumblings dribbled from his lips. Wise up and practice what you preach. You can always say he's retiring oh or got another position closer to home or higher pay like we've been told in the past.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

Speak your mind; even when your voice shakes, even when they roll their eyes, even in the face of incivility and sarcasm. Those who are worthy will listen to your words and join you. Many voices speaking together are strongest.

Funny how the emphasis is on how the public speaker didn't follow the rules. Yet week in and week out, the SC breaks every rule of civility and common courtesy without consequence. More criticism is directed at the public speaker than the SC members.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

Everyone absolutely has a right to be heard. However, that does not mean others have to agree with your positions. Historically there have been complaints about lack of dialogue on issues with the SC. However, when there finally is some back and forth some of the public speakers will find that the SC does not give much credibility to their issues. I don’t call that lack of civility, I call that honesty. Nobody likes to hear that their baby is ugly; however, if you are going to come back week after week with bizarre ideas, even after the voters of Melrose did not support your candidacy, then you cannot be surprised when the SC let’s you know how they really feel about their ideas.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

What bizarre ideas? Think anyone said that about Nikola Tesla?

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

ugly baby
Everyone absolutely has a right to be heard. However, that does not mean others have to agree with your positions. Historically there have been complaints about lack of dialogue on issues with the SC. However, when there finally is some back and forth some of the public speakers will find that the SC does not give much credibility to their issues. I don’t call that lack of civility, I call that honesty. Nobody likes to hear that their baby is ugly; however, if you are going to come back week after week with bizarre ideas, even after the voters of Melrose did not support your candidacy, then you cannot be surprised when the SC let’s you know how they really feel about their ideas.

Excellent post, ugly.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

Maybe the SC and Taymore have some good ideas but it is their ugly, unprofessional behavior which actually makes it difficult to listen and assess the validity or value of them. The rants, scoldings, eye rolling, divisive games, deceitful back room decisions and game playing with our tax dollars is the reason I will VOTE NO, if there is ever an override put on the ballot.

Re: Competant?

I 'll tell you what's wrong with the super. She needs to find competent council for the school system. Good bye to Maryjo. Save the city some $ and utilze the city solicitor. He can't be any worse.

Re: Competant?

para
I 'll tell you what's wrong with the super. She needs to find competent council for the school system. Good bye to Maryjo. Save the city some $ and utilze the city solicitor. He can't be any worse.


"He can't be any worse."

As the mayor's chum and failed mayoral candidate in Everett, he's done just as lousy a job as MJ and is at least as arrogant.

You're correct, though, that decent legal counsel would help Melrose greatly.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

ugly baby
Everyone absolutely has a right to be heard. However, that does not mean others have to agree with your positions. Historically there have been complaints about lack of dialogue on issues with the SC. However, when there finally is some back and forth some of the public speakers will find that the SC does not give much credibility to their issues. I don’t call that lack of civility, I call that honesty. Nobody likes to hear that their baby is ugly; however, if you are going to come back week after week with bizarre ideas, even after the voters of Melrose did not support your candidacy, then you cannot be surprised when the SC let’s you know how they really feel about their ideas.


Ugly, you are not knowledgable on many levels. First, the lack of civility has to do with the SC's use of profanity, eye rolling, shouting, condescension, lack of openness and back room tactics. No one in public office should do what they do whether they agree or not. If a kid speaks to a parent like that, do you think it is acceptable for them to act that way and "let you know how they really feel", as you say, just because they disagree with you?

Moreover, Mr. Mroz's ideas are actually very good. He has been proven right time and time again. Refusing to listen to him because he lost just goes to show that the SC is not concerned about the children and this town. Listen to smart advice no matter the source if you really care about education. He actually got a ton of votes considering he did zero campaigning unlike the ones (except one) who won. They schmoozed so much and continue to stick their nose up the blank of the cabal, they couldn't have an independent thought if they tried.

Go back to the Cabal, Ugly.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

I voted for Jessica Dugan who topped the ticket . In hindsight, I regret that decision. She is bright and as a mother of young children has a lot to contribute. But when she talks at SC meetings it is jargon 101. She is not challenging the status quo at all. Unfortunately, so far she has shown herself to be a follower not a leader.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

She's one of those engineering the "positioning" for an Override. She is having lots of private meetings with super and RD. I keep running into her leaving one of them, but since she doesn't know me, I'm invisible to her, as are all the voters like me who did not vote for her and now can see why that was the right decision. She appears to be entirely pro-administration and all of her votes to date have her aligned totally with the status quo. You're right that she throws the jargon around, but unlike JD LaRock, she doesn't know what she's talking about and only is a huge rubber stamp for the administration, which he was not. Big mistake everyone will be paying for having her there.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

Dolan, the 26% machine and city employees made sure Casatelli. Dugan and Margolis got elected. Other candidates for SC and BOA were encouraged to run and made many promises. Hopefully, they learned not to trust the "friendships" and realize they were hung out to dry. The divide in town is scary. Even talk about an override is making things worse. Dolan needs to find another job for the sake of himself, his family and Melrose. The more his behavior stays the same, the fewer opportunities elsewhere. No one wants to hire a bully or someone whose word cannot be trusted. Tim Murray's connections are null and void. I actually felt sorry for him at Congresswoman Katherine Clark's victory party. Some of his facial expressions were quite sad which is understandable. Rob Dolan is still Mayor of Melrose and really has nowhere else to go and that isn't good for anybody.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

I am still confused. Is this teacher contract completed signed sealed and deilvered or does it still need a vote?

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

to city machine- how did dolan, et all make sure their guys got elected. No one contacted me ask for a vote. also, please explain


Other candidates for SC and BOA were encouraged to run and made many promises


who are these candidates, and what did they promise. you certainly throw around info as "fact" with no proof.
And before you get to it- I do not know the mayor, any alderman, sc member. I am not affiliated with the city or the schools. Nor am I related to or friends with, anyone noted above.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

Whats going on with Taymore?

$162,400.03 in 2013 Earnings

Really
Really

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

She doesn't even have a doctorate!
Dave Driscoll was able to get his EdD going to BC one day per week and then went on to be Commissioner of Education for the State of Massachusetts! What a breed and what a long history of stellar leaders for Melrose schools!

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

Mel...the contract has been signed-off by all the parties. A copy was attached to the minutes of a meeting from 3 or 4 meetings ago. Check them out! It't a great contract for the teachers averaging 24-27% pay raises over the 3 years! Don't you wish you got that kind of a raise for 3 years?

Also the kids got NOTHING...oh...I mean Ms. Taymore said that the average school day is 2 minutes longer now! Wow...that woman can really put together a great contract for the kids of the district....no doubt about it...she is all for the kids...and the same for school committee.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

A 24-27% teacher salary raise would make national headlines, so how is this statistic being figured? I'd like to better understand this.

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

Curious
A 24-27% teacher salary raise would make national headlines, so how is this statistic being figured? I'd like to better understand this.


This was the comprehensive analysis done by Mr. Mroz and sent out publicly:

February 11, 2014

Dear School Committee Member,

Here are a few notes about the contract with the teacbers which you will consider tonight. I could write many more. It’s unfortunate that the School Committee and the Administration didn’t engage with the public prior to negotiating so it could learn more perspective about concepts to apply to the contract or about the structural changes our district needs which could have been reflected in the contract.

The “Integrated Contract,” which purportedly reflects the Memoranda of Understanding which were signed on September 19, 2013, contains internal contradictions. It also still contains language from prior-term contracts which is obsolete and should have been removed. It contains ambiguities which need clarification. Please don’t approve this contract until all the contradictions and ambiguities are resolved. A contract which defines the expenditure of more than $50 Million Dollars in salary (without including benefits) should not be so defective.

How do the large salary increases listed each year for the three years detailed in Appendix A of the "integrated contract” comport with the 1% salary increase each year specified in the written language of Section 42 on page 48?

The salary increases many teachers would receive as detailed in Appendix A for FY14 are in a range of 10% - 12% above the amounts listed in the schedule for FY13 detailed in the old contract. The salary increases many teachers would receive as detailed in Appendix A for FY15 are in the range of 6% - 7% over the amounts listed in Appendix A for FY14. The salary increases many teachers would receive as detailed in Appendix A for FY16 are in the range of 7% - 8% over the amounts listed in Appendix A for FY15. In total, applying the salary increases in Appendix A would result in salary increases in the range of 25% - 27% over the three years for a significant portion of our teacher population (and not including increases due to lane changes). These amounts clearly are not close to the 1%, 1%, 1% stated in Section 42. How can the schools and the city afford such large percentage increases to its largest cost account without failing students due to the omissions in so many other areas?

Even for teachers who were already at the highest step of the salary schedule in FY13, the salary increases listed in Appendix A are approximately 7% in FY14, an additional 2% for FY15 and an additional 3% for FY16. The total increase under Appendix A for these teachers already at the highest step level in FY13, is approximately 12.5% over the three years of the contract (not including longevity increases and lane changes). The total increase for these teachers under the language of 1%, 1%, and 1% in Section 42 would be 3.03%. Again, how does Schedule A comport with the language of 1%, 1% and 1% written in Section 42?

It appears as if the two members of the School Committee who served on the bargaining team, and the Superintendent, did not apprise the entire School Committee of the huge salary increase embedded in the schedule in Appendix A, and which is in direct contradiction to the 1%, 1%, and 1% language in Section 42. Presumably, such a large salary increase for the largest collective bargaining unit in the city cannot occur without seeking a funding source or making major cuts in other budget areas. The School Committee did not discuss this issue in public session – did it discuss it in executive session? If so, please provide the minutes of those executive sessions to me.

Appendix A has another conflict with the contract language. The contract refers to eleven step levels, while Appendix A only lists ten. If there are now only ten steps as listed in Appendix A, does that also mean there is a year in which a teacher doesn't receive a step level increase and also doesn't receive a longevity pay increase (since the longevity increases only apply starting in year twelve)?

Although there is likely tradition as to applying longevity pay increases, there is no specificity in the contract as to how the longevity pay increases are applied. Does an employee receive $300 increase in year 12 only, and $1,100 only in year 16, etc? or does an employee receive $300 in each of years 12-15, then $1,100 in each of years 16-19, etc.?

If the large salary increases in Appendix A were intended by the School Committee, why did the School Committee not obtain significant structural concessions from the teachers in exchange for such large salary increases? Some long-recognized and needed changes are: at least a slightly longer school day to allow for reasonable lunch periods, requiring teachers to post every assignment on Aspen, requiring teachers to return student work within a reasonable time frame, requiring teachers to commit out-of-school time for parent conferences, etc.

Instead of obtaining significant concessions, the School Committee gave away three extra half-days each year to the teachers through the contract. Half days hinder student learning. If the School Committee intended to let students out early on the day before Winter Vacation, the day before February vacation and the day before Summer Vacation, why didn’t the School Committee designate those days as Professional Development Days instead of taking three other half days from students during the school year? The students would be better served through the preservation of three full school days while the teachers presumably do not need to start each vacation two hours earlier.

Please clarify the language in Section 42 which reads, "These raises are on the Bachelor's, Master's, Master's + 30 and Doctor's columns of the teacher salary schedule currently in force under Appendix A, provided that, effective at the start of the 2013-2014 work year, they will be applied across-the-board to all steps in all lanes." What is the application of the chosen word, currently? Is it today, or last year, before the term of the contract began? What does the reference to just the four lanes mean in context? Are the old contract’s eleven lanes of Bachelors, and +15, +30, +45, +60; Masters, and +15,+30, +45, +60; and Doctorate still included as the raises are deemed to be “applied across-the-board?” Appendix A seems to eliminate Bachelors +30 and +45, while it also seems to combine Bachelors +60 with Masters. How does that square with “all steps in all lanes?”

Under the old contract, job sharing was supposed to finally end after the 2011-2012 school year. It’s long been recognized that the job sharing which has been done is a detriment to the learning of the affected students. Why was job sharing for 2013-2014 included in this contract? Under the old contract, presumably, there was no job sharing after the 2011-2012 school year. That would mean there should not have been job sharing in the 2012-2013 school year. Why was job sharing added back in for the 2013-2014 school year or was it allowed in 2012-2013 against the terms of the old contract?

I find it interesting that the contract continues to include what is represented as an “early departure incentive.” Why do we feel that early retirement benefits our students? Do we believe that all older teachers need to leave because the money we pay them is not worth the expertise they have gained over many years in helping educate our students?

The early retirement incentive is represented in three ways. First, a teacher can receive an extra $1,000 each year for ten years after age 45. That appears to help retain a teacher by offering an extra $1,000 for those ten years, but that teacher would then, presumably, want to leave because s/he will no longer receive the $1,000. Is that really an early retirement incentive? Is it a teacher retirement incentive? Whose interest is served by that mechanism?

Second, a teacher can receive $10,000 if s/he notifies the system of intent to retire by December 31 for a June 30th date after age 55? Is this really an incentive to retire or is it just an extra windfall upon normal retirement? Third, a teacher can elect to receive an additional salary or $750 in their last year before retirement to artificially boost their retirement pay.

There are caveats for the above departure devices, but how do they promote student learning? How does this document promote student learning?

Additionally, if this document had really been edited effectively, it would no longer include references to stale deadlines for applying for job sharing for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years.

If this contract was the result of Interest-Based Bargaining, the interests of the students and the taxpayers of Melrose were not adequately represented in the process. Students need far more than giving teachers more money without direct benefit to the students. Taxpayers are on the hook for significant cumulative costs from this contract without any direct gains guaranteed for the students.

The contract states that an underperforming teacher (only in the first ten years of service) may not experience an automatic step increase. This is certainly better than before. Why does the contract consider step increase as automatic otherwise? Why aren’t step increases applied only for exemplary teachers and not for ones needing significant improvement until they, too, improve?

Because so much money is offered to teachers in this contract, it may well be necessary to reduce the staff in our schools to the detriment of students.

If it requires an override to pay the teachers under the burden of this contract, Melrose will certainly become another Weston, Lexington or Winchester in terms of its property taxes. That will be sure, but it may occur without any surety that there will be parity with those towns in student educational experiences or outcomes. A contract is not just about money, but this contract was certainly focused on the money.

Paying more money for anything doesn’t actually get the job done, whether it’s science kits, science labs, textbooks or smartboards. Those are just tools. What gets the job done is ongoing vigilance in action true to making a school system that is better for our students.

Gerry Mroz

Re: Occupy Melrose Public Schools.

Honestly...Curious..I can't believe that there are still people like you who have no idea what was done in the teacher's contract! How can so many people be so detached and ignorant as to what's going on in our school district! I guess this only proves that if you tell lies enough times like the Mayor and Ms. Taymore have done about the teacher's contract, people will believe them.

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