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Post by tree4jmp on Aug 6, 2011 20:05:49 GMT -5
I heard a rumor today from several excellent sources that our esteemed Superintendent has resigned along with our Athletic Director. Within the last month we have lost our Asst. Superintendent of Curriculum and now 2 more very important people within the district. Is this a sense of the Titanic??? What's happening?? I'm very concerned that here we are in the second week of August and the new school year is just around the corner. Where does this leave Wantagh as a District and who is going to want to work here with so many apparent people in power jumping ship?
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Aug 7, 2011 7:51:35 GMT -5
Interesting rumor.
It is generally not advisable to jump in and assume everything (or anything) is as rumor may suggest. I would especially avoid using terminology such as "Titanic" and "jumping ship".
With as much time and exposure both you and I have had to our school district, you certainly should have no doubts concerning our ability to carry on and function extremely well, regardless of the veracity of this rumor, or lack thereof.
Chris Wendt
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Post by tree4jmp on Aug 7, 2011 13:13:36 GMT -5
My main concern is that the board doesn't jump to any hasty decisions and that a thorough search is made for the right candidates. My guess is that they were not caught blindfolded on this (I hope) and that discussions are underway already. I do stand corrected that the terms of Titanic and jumping ship may seem a little dramatic, but the appearance that the loss of top management presents will only in itself lend its hand to speculation.
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Post by lilly on Aug 8, 2011 8:05:08 GMT -5
Often, where there is smoke, there is fire.
Waiting for confirmation on this before reacting.
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Post by lilly on Aug 8, 2011 17:12:44 GMT -5
Phone calls are starting... I'm hearing Lydia going to BOCES in tbd capacity, staying in Wantagh until October if need be.
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Post by lilly on Aug 9, 2011 17:46:47 GMT -5
tree/J, I think we'll (the kids) will be ok for the interim. The building principals and teachers, who are on the front-lines with the kids, are pretty steady and consistent.
In the vein of in general I could care less about peoples perceptions, for me that doesn't factor into this situation. I do think it is pretty radical news but the opp'y for change is good. Everything in the business world is faster, smarter change and that is starting to hit the public school system to a small degree too. So, I'm looking for the downside and the only one I can see is a potential bad hire so dare I say we've got to trust the BOE will hire to the best of their ability.
It would be interesting if the BOE had focus groups or a community meeting asking for input on what the public thinks is important to the present and future of Wantagh public schools.
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Post by tree4jmp on Aug 9, 2011 18:08:43 GMT -5
I completely understand how things have changed, though it does not seem that long ago that when Super's and Assts were hired they were in it for the long haul. Guess I'm showing my age. I don't don't begrudge anyone the chance to move on and improve there lives for themselves and their families. When my kids went to Seaford we used to have a different super every year it seemed. It always made us wonder why, but as you say because of the principals and teachers our kids made it through the system in great shape.
Again my concern is that the BOE does not push a panic button and instead conducts a thorough search. As they say every time a door shuts another one opens and hopefully it will be the right one.
The concerns about speculation and perceptions is not really related to the district, I think everyone here is always pulling for what is best. But I wonder if all of the sudden change will effect the job pool much. I understand there are alot of administrators out there looking for work, but even they might approach Wantagh now very carefully.
As you say now might be a good time for a BOE survey, butt realistically I don't see that happening. My real hope is that they could welcome the idea of more transperency, than there has been in the last months. Again change can be a good thing.
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Post by lilly on Aug 10, 2011 9:03:00 GMT -5
I don't think the idea of lifer supes is a good one anymore. It breeds complacency and that is the last thing we or any school district needs. OTOH too many supes in Seaford over time isn't good either. Take the Wantagh PPS Director spot, we've had 4 in the last 10 years. Not good at all, shows something was not right there.
With today's economy (and especially with change of career people filling college classes getting their school certifications), the hiring pool should be ok. Maybe very different than what was available in the past.
We could definitely use a preemptive statement from the BOE on what their plans are and to reassure the community that they are on top of the situation. They did that well this past spring.
And I know my idea of a focus group/survey is unlikely but there is merit to it. LI carries a huge expense of 125 supers and even more asst supers supposedly so each community has local control. Well, the BOE is elected by the community to represent their best interests and why not take advantage of individualizing a community's plans for the school district or qualities/attributes of a super? I know getting at the info would be a minefield but... still, the concept is good.
The BOE does need to have their own wishlist of qualifications and a well-written super job description so that communication and 'marching orders' are clear between them and the new hire. These changes also give the BOE permission to re-examine our (top-heavy?) structure. Do we need an asst super for curric? What were the deliverables and accomplishments of that role in the last 10 years? Is it worth the salary or should we be looking at roles of dept heads who may be accomplishing similar already or certainly could with a super overseeing them?
Here's to hoping the right doors open...
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Aug 10, 2011 9:51:38 GMT -5
Time for some trail blazing.
Promote Dana DiCapua to Superintendent and hire a "Business Manager" for the east side of the hall. This would give Dana educational responsibility for her financial decisions, and at the same time, give her financial responsibility for her educational decisions, she being the Superintendent of Schools. To me, this presents a truly exciting opportunity!
Department Chair roles should be fully "realized"; they should handle the curriculum.
As far as building-level oversight, institute some hierarchy: elevate one principal to be the Secondary Leader and another to be the Elementary Leader. I think Don should prove to be a better manager than he is a union shop steward, not that he is a bad shop steward; he's just so much better than that role.
I have my idea of who should be the Secondary Leader.
Since this would appear to be a voluntary decision by the Superindentent, made prior to the expiration of her ""contract"" ""term"", I would like to presume there will be no big, fat payout of taxpayer money on the way out the door? That will be a question needing an answer in the coming weeks.
Chris Wendt
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Post by tree4jmp on Aug 11, 2011 22:01:22 GMT -5
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Post by tiredoftaxes on Aug 12, 2011 8:30:44 GMT -5
Let's hope that the new leader's salary is no more than the old leader's salary...Remember the old leader vowed to keep her salary frozen before she decided to cut & run....
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Post by jdelisa on Aug 12, 2011 22:40:25 GMT -5
so to sum up, leaving the District are: - Superintendent Dr. Lydia Begley
- Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Patricia Krizan
- Athletic Director Dan Butler
anyone left out of this list?
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Aug 13, 2011 8:01:37 GMT -5
Dr. Timothy Piciullo , former Principal of WMS, recently hired as the third of three Assistant Principals at Long Beach High School.
Best,
Chris Wendt
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Post by tiredoftaxes on Aug 13, 2011 16:14:14 GMT -5
They should compensate the district if they break their contracts and leave early.....After saying they would voluntarly hold the line with their salaries this new school year, all these nice professionals are leaving....Good riddens to them....Let's hope the BOE holds the line with salaries for the new leaders....Otherwise, the school budget is blown already....
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Aug 14, 2011 9:36:10 GMT -5
Changes in school district leadership positions are nothing new under the sun, nor are they limited to the Wantagh School District.
Dr. Herman Sirois retired from Levittown on June 30, and was replaced on July 1 by Dr. James Grossanne who had been Massapequa's Assistant Superintendent. Sirois had given 1-1/2 years notice to the Levittown school board of his intention to retire.
Brian Conboy has just completed his first year as Seaford's Superintendent, having been promoted from within after a long series of positions, beginning as a classroom teacher, and including stints as an assistant principal, principal, and most recently as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for 6 years. His inaugural year was capped by Seaford having the largest tax increase in Nassau County, a twice-defeated budget, starting this school year on Austerity, and a Board member resigning in July.
With interest,
Chris Wendt
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