2010.04.14 School Committee Meeting

[Paladine]

Who is she?

"Following the public speak out, the school committee unanimously elected Joanne Jordan to serve as Chairwoman of the South Hadley School Committee."

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/s...s-new-chairman

[Paladine]

My goodness...it doesn't stop. Does nobody love him? Would someone please tell him he sounds like a dimwitted fool?

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) - South hadley Superintendent Gus Sayer made a lengthy statement after the public speak out.

Sayer said administrators consistently and immediately disciplined students who were involved in bullying.

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/s...rince-bullying

[daisy7]

Originally Posted by Paladine

Boisselle's resigning...

http://www.boston.com/news/local/bre...hadley_sc.html

What a load of carp!! If he really thought thought the chair position should be changed every year, why didn't he just bow out of the election??

[Laurence]

Originally Posted by Paladine

What's even worse, imo...they hold their bogus rally and then forbid anyone from standing up and speaking out for Phoebe...on the 4 month anniversary of her death. These people are beyond the pale...someone should do some genetic research in this area. IMO

I think my Lovecraft crack a few days ago may be closer to the mark than I realized.

[BeenaBobba]

Originally Posted by daisy7

What a load of carp!! If he really thought thought the chair position should be changed every year, why didn't he just bow out of the election??

I know, right? That's what I'm sayin'! I would have more respect for these people if they were honest about their intentions.

[Paladine]

Originally Posted by BeenaBobba

I know, right? That's what I'm sayin'! I would have more respect for these people if they were honest about their intentions.

Their main concern seems to appearances. They will not admit to error or defeat or frailty, of any kind...from my observations.

Ironic...because it makes them look worse.

In order to fix a problem...you must first admit you have one.

IMO

[adnoid]

Originally Posted by Paladine

...someone should do some genetic research in this area. IMO

I'm imagining a family tree that looks like a telephone pole.

[BeenaBobba]

Originally Posted by adnoid

I'm imagining a family tree that looks like a telephone pole.

Is that "Dueling Banjos" I hear? LOL! J/k. We're so bad!

[adnoid]

Originally Posted by BeenaBobba

Is that "Dueling Banjos" I hear? LOL! J/k. We're so bad!

Something tells me more than one of the bullies has relatives like "Uncle Dad" sticking up for them on FB.

[Paladine]

Originally Posted by adnoid

I'm imagining a family tree that looks like a telephone pole.

OMG! LOL! THAT'S perfect!

[Paladine]

He had BETTER start taking SOME responsibility and STOP blaming the VICTIM! IMO...the man is absolutely repulsive.

"After making a statement apologizing for not calling the meeting weeks ago, chairman Edward Boisselle, held a public comment session.
The first two residents at the public speak out were thrown out, complete with police escort.
Emotions bubbled to the brim and eventually boiled over.
The first resident, accused the administration of covering up prior knowledge of Phoebe's death.
He was met by police after saying those in power were a "noose on the neck of the town."
The second parent, Luke Gelanis, was met by police after suggesting several officials be fired.
Later, Superintendent Gus Sayer, addressed questions of prior knowledge of bullying. He issued this explanation, saying officials didn't know the scope of the bullying.
"Tragically, Phoebe Prince herself did not make known to school officials the full extent of the bullying that was tormenting her," Sayer says.
Many complained afterward that the meeting was one-sided.

http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/90904054.html

[adnoid]

Oh, they didn't know the SCOPE of it? I few days ago they denied they know anything about it at all.

Oh, teller of untruths, your trousers have combusted!

[BeenaBobba]

I've got some comments to make regarding this article.

Well, first off, it seems that Luke Gelinas, a concerned parent, was ejected from the meeting for being "disrespectful" and "a bully" for expressing his anti-administration opinions. You can read Mr. Gelinas' statement here. Personally, I don't see how his statement could've been construed as disrespectful. On the contrary, I think he brought up valid concerns. Calling him a bully puts him in the same category as Phoebe's tormentors, and quite frankly, I find that incredibly insulting.

Here's a quote from the article:

“I oppose the removal. The removal will not bring back Ms. Prince,” said Matthew McDonough, a parent and business owner. “I urge the committee to reject the call for resignation and go on with the serious business of educating our children.”

Based on my research, there is a popular SHHS student with the same last name. I wonder if he's her father? Wouldn't surprise me in the least!

Another quote:

Numerous parents questioned the School Committee about actions taken against the students. Boisselle did not respond. School officials have said previously that they are restricted legally by what they can say about disciplined students.

I'm not even remotely close to being a legal expert, so does anyone know of a law that would prevent him from speaking out on this? He has spoken out about students being suspended for bullying Phoebe, so why can't he discuss expulsion? Maybe there really is a law that would prevent him from doing so, but it doesn't really make sense to me. After all, take a look at what he said to Anderson Cooper:

Sayer said he supported the punishments meted out to the students.

"If they, as they have been charged, committed crimes, they should face the consequences for those crimes," he said.

But, he added, expulsion is something educators are reluctant to countenance.

"It's a terrible punishment because that changes their whole lives and what they are capable of doing, and they have to figure out a way to renew and complete their education."

BBM. I could be wrong, but I've got a nagging feeling that the accused students were not expelled. Again, I could be wrong, but could this be the real reason that he's so reluctant to discuss the disciplinary action taken?

[BeenaBobba]

For those who were unable to watch the live streaming of the meeting, you can view a detailed report here.

[Paladine]

Thanks so much beenabobba...what a great post. I agree...I read rumor they weren't expelled but allowed to 'withdraw', so it wouldn't affect their records. I would not be surprised. I think it may be the case. They are too evasive. They would love nothing more than to say kids WERE expelled to get the public off their back...but, imo, they can't. So, they play their word games...and around and around, we go.

They allowed Boiselle to 'withdraw', in a sense, too. To save face. Someone told me once, "you can't save face and save ass, at the same time". They have learned nothing. It'll come back to bite them. Somehow.

IMO

[mitzi]

Originally Posted by daisy7

What a load of carp!! If he really thought thought the chair position should be changed every year, why didn't he just bow out of the election??

I haven't posted here in Phoebe's threads, but I have been reading here...and thank you all for posting all the articles and information that you have.

I must comment on Bloiselle's "stepping down"....ITA! What a load of carp! I guess it got too hot in the kitchen for him. I watched the 16+ minute video of the committee meeting, and couldn't believe how he instantly jumped all over that first speaker and then on Gelinas. I thought that Gelinas was not being disrespectful and hitting alot of good points...then Bloiselle started his shreaking. Shame on him. Did anyone else who watched that video notice the young media guy behind the last speaker? I thought his expressions were amusing to say the least.

[mitzi]

Originally Posted by Paladine

Thanks so much beenabobba...what a great post. I agree...I read rumor they weren't expelled but allowed to 'withdraw', so it wouldn't affect their records. I would not be surprised. I think it may be the case. They are too evasive. They would love nothing more than to say kids WERE expelled to get the public off their back...but, imo, they can't. So, they play their word games...and around and around, we go.

They allowed Boiselle to 'withdraw', in a sense, too. To save face. Someone told me once, "you can't save face and save ass, at the same time". They have learned nothing. It'll come back to bite them. Somehow.

IMO

They can run, but they can't hide...it will all come out in the end...I don't care if they think they can avoid it by "stepping down"...it will still come out and they will be shamed. I'm just so angry.

[thebear14]

Originally Posted by BeenaBobba

I've got some comments to make regarding this article.

Well, first off, it seems that Luke Gelinas, a concerned parent, was ejected from the meeting for being "disrespectful" and "a bully" for expressing his anti-administration opinions. You can read Mr. Gelinas' statement here. Personally, I don't see how his statement could've been construed as disrespectful. On the contrary, I think he brought up valid concerns. Calling him a bully puts him in the same category as Phoebe's tormentors, and quite frankly, I find that incredibly insulting.

Here's a quote from the article:



Based on my research, there is a popular SHHS student with the same last name. I wonder if he's her father? Wouldn't surprise me in the least!

Another quote:



I'm not even remotely close to being a legal expert, so does anyone know of a law that would prevent him from speaking out on this? He has spoken out about students being suspended for bullying Phoebe, so why can't he discuss expulsion? Maybe there really is a law that would prevent him from doing so, but it doesn't really make sense to me. After all, take a look at what he said to Anderson Cooper:



BBM. I could be wrong, but I've got a nagging feeling that the accused students were not expelled. Again, I could be wrong, but could this be the real reason that he's so reluctant to discuss the disciplinary action taken?

I agree about Luke Gelinas. I did not find his speech disrespectful at all and don't even understand why he was thrown out. I was half-asleep when I read his speech but I don't recall him saying anything about Phoebe or the Prince family that we didn't already know. Doesn't he have a kid at SHHS? I think that gives him every right to be concerned about what the people in charge are doing over there.

Also, about a law not being able to disclose why students received disciplinary action or whatever - as someone pointed out a few days ago they had no problem disclosing that Phoebe was receiving counseling. If anything, the fact that a student was receiving or had received counseling should not be disclosed - that indeed is an extremely private matter and I would think breaks confidentiality, even if she was a minor and is now deceased.

[Paladine]

Originally Posted by mitzi

They can run, but they can't hide...it will all come out in the end...I don't care if they think they can avoid it by "stepping down"...it will still come out and they will be shamed. I'm just so angry.

And mitzi...I just read on a board that Boisselle stepped down as chairman BUT he's STILL on the committee! Looking for a link to prove it but apparently it was a shell game....IMO

[Paladine]

yep...a shell game...do they think the public is as dimwitted as they seem to be?

Board Chairman Edward Boisselle also announced at Wednesday night's meeting that he is stepping down from his leadership post just nine days after his re-election, but will remain on the committee.

http://wbztv.com/local/south.hadley....medium=twitter

[Paladine]

A heavy police presence surrounded the school last night and one parent was taken from the hall after saying that officials should be hanged.

The comments reflected some of the rage that was directed at administrators.

Another two parents were ushered out of the building after calling for the removal of Boisselle, Superintendent Gus Sayer and Principal Dan Smith.

Prince family friend Darby O'Brien said: "I think it's time, Ed, that you stopped attacking other people. You need to hold the officials -- who could have stepped in at any time and stopped this -- accountable."

But the committee defended itself against the allegations, saying some parents had adopted a "mob mentality".

Some parents defended the administrators, arguing that they did all they could to protect Phoebe and should now be allowed to get on with their work

"Allowed to get on with their work"?? We've seen the results of their "WORK"! My goodness, therapy for all, I say...
http://www.herald.ie/world-news/phoe...s-2139053.html
__________________

[Paladine]

a tweet from a newswoman...the tone was set early, imo...

First speaker says "they dropped the ball, get rid of em." He was escorted out by police. #fox25

http://twitter.com/SharmanFox25/statuses/12188466632
__________________

[Paladine]

"Shouting Erupts In Town Torn By Teen's Suicide
School Board Chairman Orders Parents Out Of Meeting"

In South Hadley, the town torn apart by a teen's suicide following bullying at the local high school, emotions erupted at the local school board meeting Wednesday night.
Police officers had to stop a fiery exchange between school board members and parents and escort several parents out of the meeting at the request of the board chairman.
Throughout the packed meeting Chairman Edward J. Boisselle banged the gavel and tried to quiet the crowd of about 100 parents who said they're won't stand silently by any longer, as they believe too many did, when Phoebe Prince, 15, was bullied at school.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/most...06/detail.html

[Paladine]

Credit for this info goes to CF2 from masslive forum...

applying to a school board meeting..
"The school board created a limited public forum when it opened its meetings for public comment, the judge held. As a designated public forum, the school board can only impose time, place and manner restrictions, but could not prohibit the speech based on its content. "

http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=2779

[Paladine]

Boisselle might have deepened the problem for South Hadley...I hope those that were silenced sue...

A multi-million dollar lawsuit against the Clarke County School Board may be settled out of court.

A mediation hearing is going to be scheduled in May before a magistrate judge.

Berryville Resident Kenneth Liggins is suing the school board for $10.5 million. He says the board and a government official violated his civil rights and his freedom of speech during a public hearing two years ago.
Liggins claims board members told him to stop talking and sit down. Liggins, who is representing himself on the matter, says he is willing to try and settle outside of court.

And I hope South Hadley REALLY likes Smith and Sayer...it may cost them about 5.25 mil for each of them!

http://www.tv3winchester.com/home/he.../90033952.html