If Ms. Butler is not available as the Interim or as the new Superintendent of Schools, I offer the following advice to the BOE to guarantee the right person(s) be chosen to fill those positions: Put together a selection of the best and brightest in Groton to comprise the Candidate Selection/Interview/and Recommendation of Finalist Committee.
How does this sound as a Team?
Chaz Zezulka - Member of BOE, one of the few honored as CT. Teacher of the Year on merit and not campaigning, respected by the Blue Collar,White Collar, and No Collar socio-economic groups, Life long champion of Minority Rights.
Beth Horler-President GEA, kept her Union on task and professional when the world was collapsing around them, a Teacher who holds all other teachers to the same high standards she role models.
Joseph Arcarese- Fitch Principal, one of the last of the no BS tell it like it is building administrators. Loved by his kids, their parents. and his faculty.
Jean Tyler Wylie- Activist, model citizen, heart and soul dedicated to kids, will always do her research and ask the tough question.
Alexis Ann- A woman who made it in Business on her own, obviously media savvy, brilliant but real, as a charismatic executive she recognizes those traits in others.
Groton BOE- Do not go the CT. Association of Boards of Education/CT. Association of Professional Services route to find your candidates. Place a job opening notice in all CT. daily newspapers and the Patches - your ideal selection should come from CT. - require that if selected Groton residency must be established - turn the applications over to the Team named - and a fantastic candidate(s) will be recommended to you. To go this process will require courage and some swallowing of ego, show Groton you are capable of both.
Could not resist answering your question: Gail McDonald - Chair of BOE, articulate, consensus buider, Educator. Captain Jerry Desmond- Stonington PD, Bleeds Brown and White, SHS alumnus Ellyn Moran Santiago- Mother, Investigative Journalist,Renaissnce Person, Tough. Cathy Cidale Springer- Mom/Grandmom, incredible people skills, SHS alumnus Roger Panciera- Knows Stonington and most everyone who lives there,altruistic As a former Stonington resident with close ties still, that is the Team. I strongly believe that a group of qualified locals can sreen, interviw , and recommend to a BOE far better that the Connecticut Boards of Education Association or a private consulting firm. Again I recommend requiring Town of Stonington residency of the eventual selection. Good Luck! Go Bears! PS- Your current Assistant Superintendent of Schools would be great if she chooses to apply. Respectfully, Jim Spellman
Both fine people and educators - I left a Unoin Rep off my Stonington Team for two reasons: 1) Those I did list are impeccably honest people who would value input and perception by the Union leadership and 2) There is a vocal Anti Any Union contingent in Stonington who would make life hell for any new Superintendent they felt beholden in any way to the Teachers Union. Those 32 votes that shot the last budget down are out to get teachers as scapegoats for our current poor economy. I am a former AFT Union organizer - there are times when the Union (for its own good and preservation) should sit on the bench for awhile and trust in ethical people to appreciate their efforts as Professionals and fairly treat them. That's my reason, THanks for your great and blunt question. Whoever you are , I admire you. Respectfully, Jim Spellman
Um, NO. May have been a fine educator in his day, but that sun set long ago. Now a champion of keeping himself in the public eye, not our schools. Part and parcel to bringing Paul J. Kadri to Groton, AND allowed the implosion of our schools on his watch. A known long time fence sitter to Groton's educators. Time for Mr. Zezulka to call it a day.