Brunswick School Superintendent ridicules the Governor

I would like to give the teachers the SAT

Which is more telling and applicable in the real world, SAT scores or running a successful business for years? I wonder who could run the schools better... maybe the superintendent is jealous...

Isn't there something in the school policy book against staff using school resources/time for political statements? Didn't they just go through something like this in Falmouth?

When you are attacked for your failure to achieve the results expected you can take three actions. You can correct the deficiencies, you can ignore the criticism or, you can attack the criticiser. In ths case Mr. Perzanouski will disrupt the status quo, which favors the teachers, if he takes any steps to correct the deficiency. The Governor is not his employer directly but could possibly influence his removal so he has chosen to attack the accuser.

The fundamentsl reason for education is to prepare a person to enter the work force to provide for their needs and wants. I think we can agree these are the ability to communicate (reading, Writing and speaking) and rudimentary mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). The reason it was made a public obligation was to separate it from the church who, along with parents undertook the fundamental obligation of providing it. This is no longer necessary as private sector schools can provide this service if it is necessary and parents are now literate enough to provide the basics to their children. Unfortunately that would put an awful lot of people out of work so the government makes public school mandatory and almost impossible to avoid and even if you can afford to avoid it you are required to pay for it anyway. Becuase of unions, you will pay more for it every year because the unions demand and recieve more for doing exactly the same job they did years ago, if not less, every year.

This is really bothering me the more I think about it. How can he get away with this on school letterhead, presumably written on a school computer, paid for by school $$?? Something needs to be done about this. Isn't there someone else on here that is often writing about Brunswick schools?? Should we write letters to the school board? Newspaper? If I were an employee there, as a conservative, I'd feel bullied and harassed myself by this letter, and would be afraid to state my opinion on such things in the future. It is one thing to make such statements on your personal email or Facebook page, but it's completely inappropriate to make such statements in your professional capacity, as if these views were those of the school district.

I found this in Brunswick's policy book:

FILE: GCSA-R
REGULATIONS FOR EMPLOYEE COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE
....

C. Prohibited Use
Any use which is determined to be inconsistent with the educational goals, academic mission, or other established policies, procedures or regulations of the school department is understood to be prohibited. Further, any use which results in an intentional breach, or attempt to breach, system security, damage to the system, equipment, network, or other school department technologies is understood to be prohibited.
Some examples of use determined to be both intentional and prohibited may be, but are not meant to be, limited to:

....
6. Any communication that represents personal views as those of the school department.

http://www.brunswick.k12.me.us/school-board/policies-test-final/

The Brunswick School Committe should begin the process of firing their current superindendent and simultaneously searching for a new one.

The Brunswick School Board is in the pocket of the teacher's union and until we get rid of them and replace them with people beholden to the public nothing is going to change. The problem is whenever public outcry goes against the union it mobilizes the teacher's, the administration, other government employees and the parents who have the cost of their childrens educations paid for by others and they outnumber those who want to change the system at the ballot box..

I had a brainstorm the other day - school superindendents are highly paid, over-educated and serve primarily as cheerleaders for increasing the school budget. What is it they actually DO?

If we got rid of them, would we really miss them? We'd save MILLIONS.

So, what is the best way to get this out there? Those of you in Brunswick, what do you suggest? Writing to the paper? School board?

While not believing it is appropriate 100% I suppose the first step which few will take would be to consider
how someone in that position would feel about things like school bashing etc. etc. and some of our govs. beloved approaches to some things.
After all the gov.. has brought up the issue of remediation recently ,very publicly and as it turns out not quite factually accurate.

The biggest mistake here was putting it on the web site ! It after all was a communication for staff.

Bazinga -- bingo. For too long, school districts have used their positions as paid cheerleaders for the liberal cause, in totally inappropriate ways. The letter from Perzanoski is a prime example.

If he were to issue a letter on district letterhead and the website PRAISING the Governor, and going into all the reasons he supports the Republican agenda in Augusta, do we think he'd get complaints from the board and parents? You bet. What if he'd used his letter to attack President Obama? Wow... think of the reaction to that one.

The same reasoning applies to his letter condemning the Governor. On his own time and dime, fine. On the school's stationery, website, and nickel? No way.

--> I would send him a POLITE email, telling him that his use of district resources to advance his political agenda is 100% unacceptable, and that he should stick to producing a good education when he's on the district's time and website.

***************

Brunswick School District

Administration/Staff

Administration – Central Office (319-1900)
Paul Perzanoski, Superintendent
pperzanoski@brunswick.k12.me.us

--> I would send a copy to the school board, as well. I copied mine to the school board chair.

Here's a link to a page with their names and email addresses.
http://www.brunswick.k12.me.us/school-board/members/

Remember - please be nice. People "listen" more carefully when they're not being abused.

--> Local residents can also send a brief letter to the local newspapers, outlining their thoughts on this issue.

Thank you.

And make sure to provide links to all AMG posts with criticisms proven or not about schools also !

Bruce - here's the bottom line -- whether or not the Governor is "accurate" in his perceptions of Maine's school system, the Brunswick superintendent has a duty to adhere to his district's policies on political issues and the use of the district resources for personal/political efforts. He is way out of line, sending the letter, and posting it on the school's website. Way out of line. This sets a horrendous example for his staff, the board, and the students and parents.

If this is a one-time occurrence, he needs to apologize and mend his ways. If this is just the first public knowledge of his usual MO, and he's done this before, that's a whole other ball of wax.

Naran
First it was a communication to his staff. Something that most do every year. The content if read in its' totality also shared some understanding of what he felt his staff has been exposed to
and showing some empathy. Something some leaders do in their role as a leader. Except the gov. of course he is exempt . That makes this a non personal issue IMHO.
Next whether the gov. is accurate ?
It wasn't an inaccuracy it was totally erroneous and should have not been used in it's context it was false!!
The expectation that people on the recieveing end of the govs'. ,whatever he does, are not at some point going to verbalize a reaction, is unbelievable , and unrealistic particularly when the gov. uses it as a
paddle board to spank people with. Guess what a risk for a bully is always finding a victim who will stand up and retaliate back !
But see it is OK, gov. can do anything and no one is suppsoe to consider any reaction to it or implications of it in the present or future.
The old adage don't throw crap at someone with a fan blowing behind them,they might duck applies an awful lot .

The people of Brunswick should rise up and email him the school board etc. ,suggestion do not call for a public debate the stampede of the opposition will
trample those who rose up!

Call this one a tie .

We better elect a GOP majority back to the legislature this fall because it will be LePage's last chance to get stuff done.
He is not going to be re-elected, no matter how much he is adored on AMG.

He is not going to be re-elected, no matter how much he is adored on AMG.

It depends on the Democratic candidate. If they nominate somebody like Libby Mitchell, he'll coast to re-election. I'm not counting on Cutler to run again. His shelf life might have expired.

Bazinga: Complaints have been registered with the School Board of Brunswick by mail and in person during public comments periods at board meetings. Letters have been written to the Times Record and are refused publication because the newspaper, if you can call it that, refuses to criticize local governance. It could be the fact they have been behind on their property taxes for years and have been kept on the hook by the Town Council.

mainemom Mike how dare you speak such heresy her on AMG ?

It is sad when one can agree with intended issue being addressed and recognize the need for change , then see the path to it ended with foolishness.

Yes he was a businessman and a good one I guess if you take advantage of various disasters , Pay pennies on the dollar and throw in some real cheap Chinese crap ,in cheap real-estate
you are a businessman.
If you have a inspiring life story that is good commendable but how far does that go?
Leading a government is a little different ,business you are the owner or work for the owner or owners ! As long as you are profitable chances are you can alienate everyone until it hurts the
profit. At some point in government to make change you have to get a lot of different groups on board the train. Aleinating and throwing people on tracks is not way to do it.
If people put themselves on tracks make a choice whether to apply brakes or not!

Letters have been written to the Times Record and are refused publication because the newspaper, if you can call it that, refuses to criticize local governance. It could be the fact they have been behind on their property taxes for years and have been kept on the hook by the Town Council.

Yes, we looked into that here earlier this year, and found that to be to be the case. As well as a year or two behind on the real estate taxes, the Times-Record was also several years behind on their personal property taxes, which is assessed on the printing equipment. There was a special waiver of forelosure on "certain properties" by the council, and it is reasonable to suspect that included the Times Record personal property tax.

Supposedly they did a refi last month and get the taxes paid up.. but I don't know what they will be doing differntly to keep from getting in the same situation again.

If I was the paper I'd ask for a reval on the printing equipment, anything of that kind over 10 years old is probably obsolete, unsaleable as prining equipment, and worth maybe the the scrap value, less the trucking away cost. That may not get rid of all the old taxes, but could sooth the problem going forward. Hopefully they had the presence of mind to value the printing equipment very low in the sale/refi, and that would give them a good basis for getting a lower assessment.

But we are left to wonder if the council is extracting special favor from the paper?

The Pingree Press Herald has a generally supportive article of da Supah, under the headline "Brunswick Superintendant Skewers LePage." You can read it here, if so inclined.

The article has certainly attracted its share of commenters from the moonbat contingent, with a general tenor that Governor LePage is somewhat less worthwhile than pond scum. To its credit, however, the article DID include a nifty zinger from LePage's press secretary, Adrienne Bennett, who finally appears to be sufficiently comfortable with her job to take the gloves off:

"A welcome back to school letter to employees should focus on what's best for students and teachers, and how to provide a quality education," Bennett said. "Instead, this superintendent decided that taxpayer dollars were best used to personally attack the governor."

And:

"Our education goals challenge the staus quo," she said, "and if school choice, improving teacher evaluations and focusing on technical education are threats to Mr. Perzanoski, he's in the wrong line of work."

I had a run-in with a superintendent a while back.
My daughter in NY Sate was dating a teachers son.
This mom/ teacher was allowing my 15 year old daughter sleep with her 14 year old son.
Encouraged it even.
My ex wife was unaware of this situation, thinking that this was a teacher, so there would be a high level of supervision.
I however, never would have allowed her to stay there, and was angry when it was brought to my attention.
I first sent a email to this teacher, fell on deaf ears.
I next sent a letter of a lower School Superintendent.
He gave me a call, he misunderstood which child I was upset about.
After a few minutes of listening to him apologising for someone else's kid she wronged, I explained the situation.
Seems he never read the email, he started apologising again.
He politely said he would look into it and get back to me.
Weeks went by.
I learned that she was not only a teacher, but "Director of Student Services".
I emailed again, no response.
I then emailed every teacher and all the Superintendents of the schools in that town/ district.
I simply asked, who was this Director of Student Services serving, by allowing these two minors to sleep in the same bed.
And why was this person in this type of position, having two OUI's and just been arrested outside a local casino drunk at noon?
I got a response finally.
It was the School Superintendents attorney, asking me to direct any future contact to the school through his office.
I asked if he had any answers for me.
He did not respond.
I really wish it had happened up here, where I could have shown up in person.

This particular superintendent, will respond apparently to what he cares to.
Not sure why a school system would need one of these.
Does this type of job have a use at all?
There's three lower ones, that the higher one oversee's (4 total), for a town the size of Brewer maybe.
Of course this is upper NY State, not sure of how they work up here.
Yes, get rid of them, save some tax money or hire another teacher.
Maybe, I wouldn't have to vote over sports or books again, at the town meeting.

Wait a minute when the superintendent says something it is an attack. When The gov. bellows false and inaccurate statements about someones' profession it isn't an attack!
See that is what some people there (Augusta) and elsewhere refuse to understand. Like when you call a large group of your employees "corrupt",whether that is what you meant or not you own the words and the response to it
is going to be negative.
It isn't a one way street Ms. Bennett ! And once again since the Gov. brought up the remediation issue himself and attacked with it it goes with the territory.
Please, the sup. would have written that letter anyway w/out the comments so no taxpayer funds were wasted or miss spent.

Before Ms. Bennett you make anymore statements about waste in any gov. organization or locality you better make sure your walls are made of unbreakable glass!

No matter whether the superintendent wrote the truth, or a volume of complete fiction, does not matter.

What matters is that in his position, what he did isn't appropriate, proper, or allowed under the district policies.

If he sent out a letter to his staff, in his official capacity, that bashed President Obama, or supported Governor Romney, would that be okay?

The same reasoning applies to the letter he sent to staff. He should have stuck to issues that directly pertain to scholastic aims, and left the personal attack on the Governor aside. His actions were unprofessional.

Personal political beliefs do not belong in the publc-employee arena, when the person is writing in their official capacity, and the letter looks as if he's speaking for the entity for which he works.

It ... just.... ain't ....fittin.'

Period.

But Naran,
Is the job worth our tax dollars?
I've seen otherwise.

So have I, Burdock. Far as I'm concerned, having one superintendent per county would be fine with me. Pay them $300K per year, it would still save money.

Wow, you and I live in very different worlds.

"having one superintendent per county would be fine with me. Pay them $300K per year, it would still save money."
$300K ok with you?
For what, to baby, sit baby sitters?
My job every day depends on getting thins right, lives are at stake.
And I make ==== wage.
Where do come off putting up $300.00 for a good thing?
Holy ----.
I'm in the wrong trade.

The Super makes about $125,000. So paying say, $300,000, for all of Cumberland County would be a steal. BTW, what does the Supers of Yarmouth, Falmouth, Windham, Cape, Scarborough, Porland and South Portland make?

All told, probably about $900K-$1,000,000 per year, plus Cadillac benefits - if not more.

Burdock - On average, superintendents in Southern Maine make well in excess of $100K per year, plus benefits. I understand your amazement. Believe me, when I first found out how much some school staffers made per year, I was astounded, too. ps - obscenities are not allowed on AMG. Thanks.

Having had to deal with a lousy school system and the teachers ( I use this word loosely), We finally got some results when we told the Superintendent our lawyer would be talking to their lawyer.
Now I the leader of this State does not go out an tell us what he perceives the problems are with education in the State, who will , the teachers union? BTW, I think he is spot on.

Forget what they do for $100,000 per year, they will make up to $80,000 per year in retirement for doing nothing and perhaps taking a job away from someone else like Jim Ashe, former Brunswick School suprintendent who became Topsham's Town Manager.

The following section of the Brunswick school board website clearly indicates that it is the domain of the SCHOOL BOARD !!!! to handle "questions of policy" .... because they've hired a superintendent to properly administer the educational process, NOT SPEAK FOR THEM !!!! by issuing a personal diatribe against the Governor using school resources in the process.

SCHOOL BOARD DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Maine state law charges school boards with the responsibility to “manage the schools” and direct the general course of instruction. The Board concerns itself primarily with questions of policy, and not with administrative details. This is done by selecting a superintendent and providing him/her with authority and direction.

It is not the duty of the Board to operate the schools, but rather to see that they are well operated. The application of policies is an administrative task to be performed by the superintendent and his/her staff. They will be held responsible for the effective administration and supervision of the entire school system. (end quote)

The following link identifies the nine school board members:

http://www.brunswick.k12.me.us/school-board/members/

So far, two of nine have indicated support (according to PPH) for the superintendent's action despite it clearly being against their board's official policies. Two have indicated the matter will be taken up with the employee. All indications, gender and liberal dweeb factors being considered, would suggest a Brunswick academia board would be left leaning. If so, let THEM initiate the communication with the Governor in which they say they don't like accountability being forced on them ..... and they don't like the notion that competitive (non-union) educational platforms might arise should they continue to underperform.

Superintendent Perzanofksi should resign immediately and focus his attention on capturing one of the three school board vacancies that will need to be filled at the beginning of next year. That is, after all, what he apparently wants to do.