Left In Lowell

As indicated in comments to a previous post, Dracut GLTHS Board member Victor Olson posted his reasoning in voting for Santoro for superintendent on Shawn’s blog, Dracut Forum.

Mr. Olson said a whole lot of nothing except, in essence, “she’s been there on the team so she’s the right person to take the job.” Then he gainsays what Santoro herself was quoted as stating, so it makes me wonder, did he listen to the same interview Eric Smith and our Move Lowell Forward members did? Olson’s comment, “she understands the importance of continuous improvement initiatives and that complacency is not acceptable” is in direct contrast to Santoro’s comment taken from her interview, quoted in the Sun article (requoted in my interviews post):

The school is already in excellent shape, according to Mary Jo Santoro, assistant superintendent/principal at Greater Lowell Tech since 2003.

“I think the ship is sailing pretty well right now without any new initiatives,” said Santoro during last night’s public interviews, highlighting her leadership at the school.

Yeah, good luck with those new “initiatives” to combat “complacency” there, Mr. Olson. Hope it works out for you.

Or as it was bandied about when I read this point aloud to some friends, “who is this person with initiatives and why didn’t they hire her?”

Mr. Olson wants us to believe he made the best choice he could have for superintendent. Maybe in his mind he really thinks so (certainly I can take him for his word there). But here is my more important, gravely serious point: the only way he could believe that this was the best choice for GLT, is to be completely out of touch with the morale problems at the GLTHS among the teachers, and the severe divide between the “in” folks hired and promoted by Cassin and his upper level staff, and the “out” crowd which are the rest.

The “in” crowd obviously showed up in force to see the crowning of Santoro on Tuesday night (reminiscent of the “I’m for Cox” campaign). I’m sure they’ll be amply rewarded under the Santoro regime.

From 8am until 8:30, Paul and Michael, our Move Lowell Forward members who have been attending GLTHS Board meetings, will be on WCAP with Warren Shaw to discuss the GLT situation.

It’ll be anything but boring (like most of Lowell politics!). So tune in!

The Brush (disclosure: their director is my good friend!) is hosting their big annual fundraiser, Cinco de Mayo en la Plaza, tomorrow (Saturday) May 8th from 6 to 10 PM. There will be cocktails from 6-7 followed by a catered dinner, live music, dancing, a silent auction and other activities in the big tent outside in the Market Mill courtyard. (Address for the Brush: 256 Market St.)

Tickets are $50/$40 for members in advance, or $55/$45 for members at the door. You can purchase online at the Brush’s website.

You can also see all the latest art by the Brush’s artists as well as the Tea, Swords and Stitches exhibit in the main gallery, and dine alongside the artwork in the Lowell Art and Design studios (our area)!