Left In Lowell

Why does the Column not like the majority of the School Committee?

by Mimi at 11:07 pm.

Yesterday’s Lowell Sun “The Column” had an item which made one scratch their head and say “What?” Unfortunately, I cannot link to it since the Sun has decided not to make this feature available on its free, on-line edition.

Here is what was written (in part):

“Speculation (my italic) has been that the majority of the School Committee – John Leahy, Connie Martin, Jackie Doherty and Jim Leary – have bigger plans for [Brian] Martin. They would have liked to have added ‘Superintendent of Schools’ to his lengthy resume.

“Despite given [School Superintendent Chris] Scott a positive evaluation, the prevailing thought (my italic) is that the committee majority has never been 100 percent behind her and would not be heartbroken to see her go.”

The comments go on to say how great the Superintendent is doing and how well are schools are performing.

And then the comments end with this “Scott has credited her staff and the teachers’ union for collaborating on several key initiatives that were impossible to achieve during the Karla Brooks Baehr era.

Some school board member still pine for Baehr’s frustrating leadership style – and that is the problem.”

I do not know how much truth there is to those comments, but I have not heard not any criticism of Superintendent Chris Scott. The great majority of people are saying it is too early to tell but for now they appreciate her efforts. I do not pretend to know as many people as the writers of the Column, nor do I have any of those connections but to me this was an unnecessary swipe at certain School Committee members and at the previous Superintendent. I wish the paper would get off Karla’s back. They succeeded in driving her out of town, what more do you want from the woman?

Now back to the current Superintendent, I have sent her an e-mail asking her what key initiatives would she identify that were achieved during her tenure. As soon as I hear from her, I will let you know what she said.

And the part about Brian Martin being the next Superintendent; where did that come from? Someone at the Sun wants to either create controversy or control the narrative. Or start beating up on a few, selected School Committee persons. Whatever the motivation, it is an absurd comment.

[Filed under School Committee] [link]

25 Responses to “Why does the Column not like the majority of the School Committee?”

wolf Says:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
Mimi,

I was confused by the whole thing too but let me throw a theory out based upon what I have heard from several sources. It is certainly well known that people at the Sun were not fans of Karla especially Mr. Campanini (he probably had several reasons including the dislike of Karla by his BFF John Cox). Anyway, Campanin has a totally different relationship with Chris Scott. They are often around and about and she is a regular visitor to his office including a visit last year to show him the gown she was wearing to the senior prom (I agree a bit disturbing). The sum and substance of it all is that there is a bit of an infatuation at work.
Fran McDougall Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Yummy, I love a good gossip item. The horse man and the lady from Highland St. canoodling in his office. You know if we had a local newspaper which loves to spread false rumors, we might have a juicy story out there. Oh, wait a sec. We do have such a rag, I mean puplication . Can’t wait to read more. Wouldn’t you love to hear his take on the gown?
Lynne Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Well, wolf, given what I’ve seen with my own two eyes, Campanini loves access and being the big man on campus, so to speak, so that makes a lot of sense, if true.

(Pretty pathetic actually, for the editor of a newspaper like the Sun. Come on dude, have some more self respect and confidence.)

One reason Campy really really hates me: when he walks in a room I don’t rush to go talk to him. I go by what my mom taught me…if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. So I ignore him. From what I can tell, that drives him bananas.

I know a few people like him, and the best way to deal with them them is ignore them. I don’t really hold with bullies so it works for me.
Maggie Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 8:52 am
If Brian Martin is not qualified to be High School headmaster - then he even less qualified to be Superintendant of Schools. So whta id the Sun trying to do ?
JC Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 9:38 am
OMG, Wolf!!!

Such a frightening picture you paint!

Even Dorian Gray would be disturbed!
Gerry Nutter Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 11:19 am
On February 8, 2010 at 7:28 am School Committe Member Jim Leary responded to my Sunday post on this topic:

I dispute it – The column statements were completely void of reality, facts or decency. Pretty sad….
Bill Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 11:31 am
I personally think Brian Martin would do a good job as Headmaster.
However,if he lacks the needed license he should not be appointed.I
wonder if any group will ever make a judgement witout being
second guessed as to its motives. I think such groups, that are
selected to inform the appointing authority,should render its
judgement only to the appointing auhority and forward all canidates
to the person legally responsible for the appointment. I sometime wonder if such group are created to give cover to the decision maker. The most qualified person to make the decision is the Superintendent.
The assignment to ohers is usually for political cover. The appointing authority should reveiw all canidates and make his or her best judgement.
Schools are too important to not have the best qualfied do the interviewing. Best Regards, Superannuated Sid (a PHD in second guessing)
wouldntyouliketoknow Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 11:38 am
oh lynne, i think you think too highly of yourself. i doubt “Campy” cares if you talk to him or not, he may even prefer that you don’t. you have an entertaining blog but you’re not exactly Perez Hilton to the “Stars” of Lowell.
Kami Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Huh???? “I go by what my mom taught me…if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything” Did you really write that Lynne or has someone highjacked your nickname.

Have you bothered to read any of your own comments Lynne? You’re no wall flower when it comes to cruel and nasty remarks. I can recall one tirade in particular where you lambasted Barbara Bush because she wrote in her book about how she played golf after she lost her young child. Not grasping that different people handle grief different ways. Some crack under the pressure and others just work and work or do whatever they can to keep their mind occupied. Having never been through it you really have no right to judge anyones way they get through it.

Oh wait, maybe you mean you won’t actually say it to anyone’s face, because putting it in writing isn’t the same thing. Yeah, right. Sort of like Clinton’s definition of “sex” and what is meant by the word “is”.

And my absolute favorite is when you allow some anonymous patsy of a blogger to do your dirty work for you. You allow some pretty nasty comments through that have no basis in fact. As long as you don’t like the person, no holds barred. So get a grip. Sorry, but you failed that lesson from your mom miserably.
Lynne Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
“i doubt “Campy” cares if you talk to him or not”

Hard evidence shows very much to the contrary, thanks. I feel safe saying that my experience, not only with him but with people like him, proves that. Now, of course, these days he totally hates my guts, as evidenced by the attacks and nastiness, but that’s not “indifference” in the least. Rather the opposite.

“lambasted Barbara Bush”

I was showcasing proof that she’s got a serious lack of empathy. There are a lot of things about her that show this, and that incident fits into the series of things that showed her as such. Sorry, but when someone has actions that are terrible, now I’m not supposed to mention them? There is a story line out there, that Barbara Bush is some sort of gentle grandmother figure, but that is totally nuts. She isn’t, and I have a right to mention this along with FACTS in her past that show it.

“You allow some pretty nasty comments through that have no basis in fact.”

Hey-o! OK, so am I a total censorious asshole (according to many commenters here plus a local anonymous blogger) when I moderate the few comments I moderate, or do I let everything through that doesn’t deserve to because I’m NOT censoring enough? You people can’t have it both ways. I’m either an asshole for allowing comments, or an asshole for censoring. Yeesh. I don’t take credit OR deserve blame for what other people say. The worst of it I moderate, editing the worst or deleting them. The rest I let through. I let your comment through didn’t I?

You want people commenting anonymously who are saying really terrible things? Go check out the comments on stories on Topix at lowellsun.com sometime. You’ll see this site is a regular peach about civility.
Mill Girl Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
The two people in Lowell who care the most about what people think are Campy and Chris Scott. The prom gown would be funny if it were an isolated incident. From what I hear Dr. Scott makes her way to the Sun often for visits with Campy. She usually brings baked goods.

This is a great example of why the Lowell Sun is useless as a source for unbiased news. It’s a funnel for their buddies, crushes and cronies. On the specific issue in the column, I’d say that the Sun is trying desperately to create a controversy that makes them seem relevant.
Mary Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Lynne, me thinks you doth protest too much. Seem to have hit a nerve here.
I can’t imagine that Campinini cares if you do or do not approach him.
Did you ever consider maybe he’s ignoring you because he has the same opinion of you. That if he ignores you it will drive you batty. Which he appears to have succeeded at. I’m no fan of the editor but the fact that he’s got your knickers all in a knot is quite amusing.
Prince Charming Says:
February 10th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Mill Girl said it best.
Maggie Says:
February 10th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
In reading back over the various comments- I admit to being more than a bot taken aback by Chris Scott’s multitude of visits to Campanini. I sense an ulterior motive - but am not sure what it could be. It does however seem nore than a little innapropriate. Or maybe she is just very sociable.
Lynne Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Mary, you obviously are speaking from non experience. “I can’t imagine” and “Did you ever consider” - these are third person assumptions, not your personal observations of real interactions you’ve witnessed.

I’m actually talking about real experience, actual events, etc. I’m just stating what I know from my own interactions with the guy.

Actually, I much prefer it when the editor ignores me, thanks. Do you think I love having had the sort of attention from him I’ve had the past couple of years? Nope. As with the Anthes radio insults (being called the lefty equivalent of Hitler, the KKK and child molesters), I’d much prefer to be left alone in those cases. But generally, my response to those sorts of things is “thanks for the free publicity for the blog” - because that’s really what it winds up being. Then it’s hilarious how quickly they shut up.
Mill Girl Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
I think Chris Scott’s motivation is to try to get positive press (can’t blame her for that) and Campy’s motivation is to get to flirt with a pretty girl who would have ignored him in high school. I just hope people take the stuff in the Sun with a huge grain of salt and draw their own conclusions.

BTW, Lynne, did you ever get a response from Dr. Scott on your email?
Jackie Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
My response to last Sunday’s column: the paper has now completely resorted to publishing fiction, Jim Campanini wrote the comments–especially those taking a dig at former Supt. Baehr–even though he isn’t listed as a contributor, and finally, our growth model scores (especially in middle-school math where we outperformed urban and suburban districts) are a direct result of YEARS of effective leadership in curriculum and instruction. These improvements do not happen overnight.
Prince Charming Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Lynne- another fairly-new blogger (who shall mercifully remain nameless) has picked up on the posts re: you and Campanini. I think the man needs a little adjustment on his Prozac. He sways back and forth from loving to bashing, sometimes in the same sentence. I have noticed that you have not given him a link in your Daily Reads. You should be flattered. He mentions you daily, stealing ideas from this blog. At least he gives you credit for some of his ideas. Although you were my first love I visit his blog daily, just for a laugh. It’s getting almost as bad as the Sun’s Topix board, and that’s just from his own head.
Lynne Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Mill Girl - RE email…not sure what you’re referring to…clarify? I have a notoriously bad memory so hopefully it’s not something I’m forgetting about.

What Jackie said. Sigh…

PC - not updating the blog roll is more a problem of laziness (well, forgetting, see first paragraph), but also, I am leery to link to a blog which uses the sort of attacks and language used there. I have on occasion refused to link to some blogs in the past - though I have not seen dire swearing like on other blogs, I still feel a responsibility to readers who click through to links not to send them to something that they will come back and blame me for sending them there.

It’s another one of those catch-22 situations…I either get blamed for not linking, or if I link, I get blamed when someone (especially newer denizens of the internets) reaches a webpage with that sort of diatribe and language. Ya can’t win.
JC Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 10:25 am
I hope you put the link back, Lynne. I believe you should list any local blogger (although, I agree that there are limits…hate speech, etc.) Let all internet denizens, be they seasoned or newbees, vote with their click-throughs.
Lynne Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 11:36 am
*shrug* back nuthin’. It was never there in the first place.
Lynne Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Also, I don’t really feel much obliged to link to someone who continually attacks me on a personal level. Hey, we put our stuff out there, and it certainly is up for discussion, but just like I am not obligated to allow “just anything” through moderation (though we err on the side of letting stuff through) since I own the domain name and the hosting here, I’m not obligated to link to stuff I find pretty offensive. It’s not like I’m forcing other people’s sites to not exist, they still do. People can find them in whatever other way they like.

I wouldn’t post a sign on my business advertising for a rival who keeps leaving dog poo on my doorstep, would I?
Gerry Nutter Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
LOL DOG Poo ver funny…Not constantly…In 6 out of 67 I mention either LIL -You or “leftist”

I also applauded Move Lowell Forward and nominated you to replace Pat McCarthy on WCAP at least once in a while.

No problem on being linked, I link the places I want to, your Blog, Your choice.

PC Thanks for reading I even give you a shout out today in a reply to Kad Barma
Prince Charming Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
I have arrived.
JC Says:
February 13th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
After reading this highly contorted thread is anyone else thinking: Forbidden Planet, Dr. Morbius , monsters from the Id?

February 8, 2010

Why does the Column not like the majority of the School Committee?

25 Responses to “Why does the Column not like the majority of the School Committee?”

Leave a Reply

Pages:

Recent Posts

Search

Categories:

Archives:

Other:

Email us!

Lowell Area Bloggers/Forums

Lowell Politics

Mass Bloggers

Media in Lowell

Media in MA

Other Daily Reads

Politics Online

Progressive Local Orgs

Snark and politics

The Arts in Lowell

February 2010
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Jan				Mar »
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28