SCHENECTADY Board delays action on tenure, will look into favoritism claim BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
In what one observer called “the first action of the new board,” a coalition of four school board members delayed a tenure request Wednesday on grounds of possible favoritism. The board acted in response to allegations that Superintendent Eric Ely was unfairly supporting the tenure of Pupil Personnel Services Director Lynn Rafalik. The two developed a close friendship during her two years at the district. New board member Andrew Chestnut, who was not on the board when Rafalik’s supervisor gave a tenure presentation about her, said he wanted time to research the matter further. He noted that the board has plenty of time because her threeyear anniversary is Oct. 17. Tenure is effective on that anniversary. He proposed tabling her tenure, “since the board has more time.” New board member Ron Lindsay agreed, saying, “I don’t have enough information on any of these [tenure requests].” They were joined by board member Diane Herrmann and President Maxine Brisport, who apparently voted because of the favoritism allegations. “I voted my conscience,” Brisport said, adding that she was concerned about “possible litigation.” Ely vehemently defended Rafalik, decrying the delay. “You’re playing parliamentary procedures with people’s lives,” he said. “Plenty of time has been given to discuss it. It is patently unfair and unprofessional to treat people this way.” But Bill McColl, a member of the grassroots SCOPE group that supported the four board candidates who won election, said this sort of open debate and willingness to research complaints was exactly what the district needs. “This is the first action of the new board!” he said with pride as he watched the debate. ...........>>>>............................>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01100&AppName=1
Heated tenure debate dominant School board's decision to grant tenure to three overshadows budget talks in Schenectady
By LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writer First published in print: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
SCHENECTADY -- There was controversy surrounding the approval of tenure for three administrators at Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting.
But while many in the room acknowledged there was disagreement among city school board members and that it was a delicate situation, no one would explain what the issue was, citing personnel matters. Outgoing board President Maxine Brisport made a speech saying such matters should never occur in the district again and that school officials, should "eradicate the cloak of darkness that has overshadowed the district."
Board vice president Diane Herrmann and new board member Andrew Chestnut wanted the names of the three tenure track administrators - Nancy Lussier, Lynn Rafalik and Ann Jackson - split up so they could be voted on individually. The board voted down the request, board member Jeff Janiszewski saying such an exercise would "exacerbate an uncomfortable and regrettable situation." Herrmann and Chestnut then abstained from voting. All three administrators were granted tenure by the other five board members.
Meeting regular Bill McColl tried to discuss the tenure vote during the public comment portion of the meeting, but was shut down by Superintendent Eric Ely and............>>>>...........>>>>.....................Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspS.....9/2010#ixzz0qLrsr1MX
Interim superintendent schedules public forums First published in print: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
SCHENECTADY -- City schools interim Superintendent John Yagielski will hold forums throughout the summer to hear residents' concerns about the district.
The first public forum will be from 7 to 9 tonight at Carver Community Center, 700 Craig St. Yagielski says one of his top goals during his one-year appointment is working to rebuild confidence in Schenectady schools following the Steven Raucci case and other scandals. The other scheduled meetings will also be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the following locations:
July 27 -- Price Chopper Community Room, 1639 Eastern Parkway
Aug. 3 -- Fulton Early Childhood Education Center, 408 Eleanor St.
Aug. 10 -- Stanford and Albany Street United Methodist Church, 1569 State St.
Aug. 17 -- Schenectady County Public Library, McChesney Room, 99 Clinton St.
Sept. 8 -- Woodlawn Reformed Church, 1858 State St.
SCHENECTADY Interim superintendent gathers input Residents share their concerns, ideas at forum BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
Standing in the middle of a circle of residents Tuesday night, John Yagielski introduced himself. The interim city schools superintendent told those present that he was interested in helping the district and one of the ways he knew how to do that was to listen to the community. “I’m here to do a lot of listening,” Yagielski told about two dozen in attendance at the fi rst of several scheduled community forums. “I really want to know what you think about your schools, what you think I, as the new superintendent, should be doing to help us and, in particular, to help our community feel better about district leadership.” Over the next hour and a half in the gym at the Carver Community Center, residents went over a series of issues they felt were important: crowding at the high school, diversity in education and staff, public schools versus charter schools and communication with and between parents. As staff took written notes, Yagielski appeared to take mental notes, referring back to previous comments, committing to addressing issues and inviting more comments. By the end, some in attendance thanked him just for being there. Yagielski took the reins of the school district July 1, setting the task to rebuild bridges with staff and the community perceived as lost during the tenure of the previous superintendent, Eric Ely. Ifrecak Singh told of recently moving to the district from Albany. She was considering sending her two high-schoolers and one middle-schooler to a charter school in Albany. What was important to her was choices. “I want more options as a parent,” she said. “I don’t want to just throw my child into a school just because that’s where they live and I don’t know what the curriculum is.” Yagielski encouraged her to look into Schenectady High more and meet with some of the people in the school. “There’s no question it’s a large school,” Yagielski said, “but I think you might be surprised.” Yagielski, who came to Schenectady having previously headed the Shenendehowa Central School District, said he was also still learning everything the school has to offer. Resident Walter Simpkins suggested more interaction between older and younger students, with students from other schools visiting the high school to get a better idea of what it will be like and better prepare them. He also said he believed the curriculum had lost its relevancy to students. He thinks there should be more cultural education. “People have to know who they are and where they come from to get the values,” he said. “Values come out of understanding who you are as a people, as a group and the contributions made to the world.” ...................>>>>....................>>>>......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00900&AppName=1
New school board sheds old ways By Lauren Stanforth Staff Writer Published: 12:00 a.m., Monday, September 6, 2010
SCHENECTADY -- Parent Sherill Campbell appeared before the city school board this past week to ask for busing to her son's Albany charter school.
Neither the superintendent nor school board members thought it was a good idea, particularly because of the precedent it would set of providing transportation to other schools.
But board members let Campbell speak for more than 10 minutes -- even allowing her to sit at the table with them to do so.
The change is a noticeable one for a board that only a few months ago was more likely to have its members shout back at audience members than open the door to further communication with them.
Welcome to Extreme Makeover, Schenectady City School District Edition.
Four recently elected school board members and interim Superintendent John Yagielski had vowed over the summer to repair the image of a district severely tarnished both by the conviction of former facilities supervisor Steven Raucci and how the former administration handled it.
Yagielski, a former Shenendehowa superintendent who stepped in two days after Eric Ely signed a settlement to leave the district, has been holding public meetings for a month to hear residents' concerns, which have included Schenectady High School's low graduation rates and the school's inclusion on the state's persistently dangerous list.
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"Close friendship" is that the new term? lol.
