Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY
Ely set to make pitch for Erie school chief job
Schenectady superintendent cites chance to help district
BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3105 or mgoot@dailygazette.net.

    Schenectady Superintendent of Schools Eric Ely will travel to Pennsylvania next week to make his case that he should be Erie’s next school leader.
    Ely is one of three finalists for the job of superintendent in the 13,000-student district. He is up against Erie Assistant School Superintendent Jay Badams and Thomas Washington, assistant superintendent for human resources in Bethlehem, Pa.
    Three, two-hour community forums will be held to introduce the finalists. Ely’s is last, set for Feb. 23. Each candidate will make opening remarks and then will take questions for the rest of the time, according to a press release from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, which is handling the search.
    Ely said he was attracted to the size of the district and its urban setting. He said he has spent 29 years in education — the last 15 in urban schools. “It’s a place where I think I can use my skills and help the school district.” He said he has been successful in helping improve student achievement in Schenectady. ............>>>>............>>>>................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01001&AppName=1

ROAD TRIP!! Who wants to go!?

They're dropping like flies in Schenectady. The real question is why would he want to take a $20,000 cut in pay? Improved student achievement? That's why half the students fail to graduate. How about improved administration compensation?

    PREDICTION: They select the Erie Deputy Super after a dog and pony show.

Has the gazette lost it's ability to 'get out there' and get NEW news? How many times do we have to read this 'same informational story about Ely's new venture'? This is information we already knew! Old news. What next? Are they going to print a story on how his road trip was and what hotel he stayed at and what he ate?

The only new news will be reading about the end results.

You're still looking for news in the Gazetto?-lol-And they raised the newstand price to a dollar! But they did have a funny editorial on condo's on a toxic waste site.

     The Times Union regularly scoops the tired Gazetto even on Schenectady School News.

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY
Couple sue school district over Raucci case
BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter

    Two people allegedly targeted by former city schools facilities director Steven Raucci formally filed their lawsuit against the school district this week.
    Among the allegations in the suit are that the district and school board members were told of vandalism and threats from Raucci but did nothing about it.
    “On multiple occasions, the SCSD superintendent and the president of the Board of Education were informed by multiple employees that Raucci was engaged in a pattern of illegal behavior that was targeting [the Grays’] home and that school vehicles and employees were involved in assisting Raucci perpetrate his conduct,” the suit reads.
    The suit goes on to allege that thenschool board president Jeffrey Janiszewski “later remarked that he wouldn’t want to be on Raucci’s bad side because he might ‘blow him up,’ ” which the suit says is an apparent reference to explosive devices Raucci is accused of using. ..................>>>>...............>>>>..................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00900&AppName=1

Quoted from benny salami

They're dropping like flies in Schenectady. The real question is why would he want to take a $20,000 cut in pay? Improved student achievement? That's why half the students fail to graduate. How about improved administration compensation?

    PREDICTION: They select the Erie Deputy Super after a dog and pony show.

Speaking bout scoops-my prediction has hit the MSM. According to them the Erie Deputy Super is the favorite for the top post.

     Don't worry City sheeple-you can always buy him out at full salary! And don't forget to vote for one of the many teachers {from other districts} running for the "award winning" School Bored!

And ND knew nothing???? Come on now! Perhaps true but extremely hard to believe!

They all knew nuthin-they saw nuthin-they never even heard of him. He was practically invisible.

     So what if the Mad Bomber ran School Bored races on the clock? {just repeat above}

The board knew/know
the police knew/know
the union knew/know
the PTO knew/know
the state ed knew/know

etc etc etc...........

if not they are either inept or part of it.....only 2 choices here folks........either way-----SEE YA!!!!!!

Quoted Text

Lawsuit claims harassment, vandalism
Couple say they were victimized by actions of ex-school official

By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer
First published in print: Saturday, February 20, 2010

SCHENECTADY -- A husband and wife -- who contend they were terrorized for years by then-Schenectady schools facility director Steven Raucci after he mistakenly believed they condemned his leadership in a letter sent anonymously to a union official -- are suing him.


Harold and Deborah Gray alleged in the court papers that Raucci vandalized their Saratoga County home five different times from May 2005 to February 2009, spraying yellow paint on their front door in the last alleged incident.
Other times, Raucci whose arson and terrorism trial is scheduled to get under way next month, used school district employees and vehicles to harass and intimidate the Grays, according to the suit, filed earlier this week in state Supreme Court. Raucci, 61, had also formerly served as the district's energy manager and headed Civil Service Employees Association Local 847, which represents members in Schenectady County.

The married Niskayuna father retired after being arrested in February 2009 and charged with arson for allegedly having an explosive device in his school office. He was indicted on 26 felony counts, including terrorism, arson, conspiracy and weapons possession for allegedly planting explosive devices on cars and at homes and allegedly vandalizing property in four counties as far back as 1993. He allegedly targeted people he considered enemies in Clifton Park, Glenville, Rotterdam, Colonie and Schodack.

The Grays said the attacks by Raucci began after he believed they had sent an anonymous letter to the union in January 2005 that described his leadership as being "analogous to an organized crime family."

Deborah Gray, who had worked as a secretary for the state CSEA, denies penning the anonymous letter. Harold Gray, who had worked as a maintenance man from 1996 to 2005, also served as CSEA unit president. The threats and intimidation led him to resign, according to the documents. His stepson, Ryan Rakoske, who is also suing the district, had worked as a laborer under Raucci. Rakoske contends Raucci began assaulting him by grabbing or attempting to touch his testicles, and during a staff meeting once referred to Deborah Gray in derogatory terms.

Rakoske says he suffered severe anxiety attacks as a result of the alleged assaults and is out on Workers Compensation. Several other past and present school employees have taken steps toward civil action against Raucci for alleged workplace misdeeds.

The Grays' lawsuit states that the superintendent of schools and then-Board President Jeff Janiszewski were told by numerous employes about Raucci's behavior and that Janiszewski at one point remarked that he didn't want to get on Raucci's "bad side because he might blow him up."

The district failed to look into the accusations and instead rewarded Raucci by increasing his authority and salary, knowing he was "dangerous and posed a threat to other individuals physical safety," according to the legal papers..........>>>>................>>>>...............Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspS.....0/2010#ixzz0g4u4Zo8u

Oh brother......like no one knew???---bullsh!t............

no one wants to speak because their boots aren't high enough for the mudslide coming their way.....

Quoted Text

Raucci not a ‘terrorist’ and shouldn’t be treated as such

    Mr. Robert Carney once said that Mr. Raucci was the most dangerous man in jail since his tenure as district attorney. I’d like to know if he still feels the same way after watching and listening to, at a Jan. 13 hearing, Mr. Raucci’s videotaped interview with police after his arrest.
    The press, both the Gazette and Times Union, and others in attendance described and witnessed Mr. Raucci as calm and sometimes cordial for almost a period of two hours, while he suggested that he might need a lawyer or some direction numerous times. But not once did any offi cer say to him, would you like a lawyer?
    Although experiencing the shock and fear of being recently arrested, Mr. Raucci still remained a gentleman. Hardly the actions of a terrorist, in comparison to what we all know a real terrorist is. I’m sure Mr. Carney now will not want the jury to see this other side of Mr. Raucci.
    I would like to ask Mr. Carney if he feels that Mr. Raucci is any more dangerous than a Schenectady police offi cer who has threatened to kill his wife and others while out on bail for approximately 17 months, while violating numerous orders of protection; more dangerous than any of the rapists, pedophiles, burglars, etc., who have been guests of our county jail more than once.
    Now we have Mr. Raucci, who was initially charged with arson and granted bail, then subsequently charged with terrorism, an A-1 felony, which essentially assured that he would never be granted bail. A charge that allegedly involves 4th of July fireworks which are legal in some states. A charge which carries a minimum of 15 years to life if convicted.
    What a tragic way to end a man’s life, for all intent and purposes, who has no criminal history whatsoever at the age of 61 and served in Vietnam. I know the district attorney can indict a ham sandwich, but to charge terrorism as an afterthought, and then try to make the law fit the elements of the crime is sinful and a crime in and of itself. I’m an 87-year-old grandmother and I can’t remember anyone being treated as unfairly as Mr. Raucci has by the media, the courts and the district attorney.
    Mr. Raucci is not responsible for the politics or problems of the school board and should not be punished for their mistakes. I hope this is not the real reason for his unwarranted treatment. Let’s leave politics and public opinion out of something for a change.
    Mr. Carney should agree to bail and do the humane thing, and allow Mr. Raucci to spend some time with his family during the interim to enjoy all that he has worked for his entire life. Mr. Raucci is a human being who has a mother, wife, daughter and brothers, and should be treated as such.

    JANE RIANO
    Niskayuna

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00502&AppName=1

No he's not a terrorist....he's just 'one of the gang'.....Mr.Raucci might miss his family but he made other folks/things more important than his family......

And you wonder why The Mad Bomber didn't want a change in venue? How many more "think" like her in this County? We will find out March 1st.