...just a message from our interim Superintendent Maria Geryk, read last night at the Regional School Committee meeting. According to her statement, no one in the administration will follow up on or act upon any comments posted anonymously on blogs. She did not give any specifics but did mention "some concerns" that had been raised in blog comments and wanted to let people know that anonymously posted concerns would not be investigated. Thus, as it might pertain to this blog, for example, those of you who have written in with comments concerning Building Blocks cannot expect any action to be taken based on your comments (or, presumably, the fact that I emailed the School Committee and Superintendent Geryk about said comments). Instead, she said the administration would welcome questions and concerns directly from the public.
Kathleen Anderson did ask our Superintendent why she is allowing staff members to complete an anonymous survey but is not following up on anonymous concerns by the general public. Superintendent Geryk clarified, saying that the staff members were only being asked to comment on the current budget process. In addition, members of the public were welcome to submit comments through the on-line suggestion box.
I checked the ARPS web site and there is the ability to submit anonymous comments about the budget. The form does ask for name and email address although it doesn't seem as if those fields are required for submission. I could not find any other anonymous suggestion box on the web site but imagine if people did submit non-budget-related concerns via this venue, they might be addressed. People with concerns can also email both the Superintendent (GerykM@arps.org) and the School Committee (schoolcommittee@arps.org) although that will not necessarily be anonymous.
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27 comments:
This is such a clear cut example of abuse of authority! What better way to ignore the concerns posted, and these are not allegations by a long shot, that go against a program that our superintendent was once in charge of?
In all fairness, no one at the meeting mentioned specific comments on specific blogs. I was just using the most recent example of concerned postings on this blog (i.e. those about Building Blocks). There are many other Amherst blogs and people do often post anonymous concerns about various aspects of our schools on them. I do think, though, that people with concerns should continue to speak up, but realize that they will have to use sanctioned venues in order to get action. I know it is frustrating.
Or, people could just leave their name.
--and risk their jobs???
There are four places to give feedback on the ARPS website:
1. The contact form: http://www.arps.org/contact
2. The website feedback from: http://www.arps.org/feedback
3. The budget feedback form: http://www.arps.org/budget/suggestion
4. Submitting an FAQ: http://www.arps.org/node/673
The #2 form is supposed to be just for feedback about the website. To me it should be for any feedback, but that’s up to ARPS. If you want that, ask for it.
For no particular reason that I can think of, #2 and #3 forms have no required fields, but the other ones do.
I suggest just use the contact form, which can be directed to different places depending on your topic – it has required fields but if you really want to be anonymous just use a fake email address – but then of course you are not going to get a reply.
I don’t recommend being anonymous. If you are upfront and courteous then where’s the problem? But that’s yup to you.
Rick: Thank you for the list of contact locations for the schools--very helpful. I do think, though, that some people worry about potential backlash against them and/or their children if they do speak up, so I think the ability to remain anonymous can offer a sense of security. Since the administration is offering an anonymous survey to their staff regarding budget issues, I know that the administration also recognizes this issue.
Anon 2:25 PM
Yes, and risk their jobs.
What is the price of your soul?
Not sure I follow your logic Larry.
Alison--what do you think of the superintendent picking an evaluator of her own choice to review the sped dept.? It simply does not make sense, but then again, perhaps she will choose her former colleague, or her neighbor, or even better one of her relatives. Who operates in this manner? How is this allowed? I can tell you right here that all will be found well and good if this goes forward as planned. Just another example of the mishandling of an authoritarian position is all this is.
Anon 8:05AM: I am really not sure what the timeline is for hiring the proposed special ed evaluator. Dr. Rodriguez arrives in the office on July 1st so perhaps the administration will delay the hiring until then? I also don't know what the process is for hiring the evaluator--does the Superintendent get to do that unchecked or does the School Committee and/or the administrative staff need to approve the hire? I'm not sure.
I will admit that my only reservation about Maria Geryk (who I think has done a great job as Superintendent) is that she was in charge of the special education program and thus might not be able to be as objective about it as she might a program she is not as close to. So your question is well-taken; I just don't have enough information on the process have a complete opinion on the matter.
And has the administration continued to ignore the abuses that have taken place in BB? Are you aware of what space they house the classes in? Might it be along side the library there? Did Ms. Geryk head this program when she was director of special education? Where can one find exactly what programs she directed or perhaps you know.
Thanks.
Can you explain where the online suggestion box is? How does one use this and does one remain anonymous or do you have to give an e-mail to use this? A suggestion box--is this something to submit concerns to or will they just continue to be ignored?
The places on the ARPS web site to offer suggestions are:
--Contact form which requires name, email address, etc.
--Budget feedback form which is aimed at budget issues. It also asks for name and email address. but it is not required.
--FAQ submission page which does require name and email address.
--Website feedback form is aimed at collecting ideas about the ARPS website. It asks for name and email but those fields are not required.
So, there are at least two on-line options for submitting feedback which can be anonymous.
Interim superintendent Geryk's refusal to respond to anonymous criticisms of special ed programs seems like a very reasonable and civil way of dealing with dissent. On the surface, it seems unfair to attack someone's character or behavior or job performance without identifying yourself because people could lie and stigmatize an innocent person. However, when the playing field is not level, and when one side does not play by the rules, then there is no democratic safety net, and the weaker minority must go underground in order to continue their cause. That scenario has occured throughout history about a million times. Part of going underground is keeping your identity secret so that you are not found out and censored, or worse. When the highest ranked member of a group abuses their power it is very difficult to prove. The lesser ranked members exist to serve their superiors, which often means covering up for them, and following orders, if they want to keep their positions. Sometimes the abuses of power lead to the "loose cannon" phenomenon, and then you have a superior covering up for a lesser ranked worker in order to preserve the dignity of the office and the facade of good leadership. Ms. Geryk will NEVER admit wrongdoing because she is so well insulated by her colleagues. She will NEVER tell the truth about the abuses of students at Building Blocks or other programs because she will lose her job. She WILL continue to imply that anonymous postings are cowardly and unfounded, and no one can fault her for that because it is an acceptable response in civilized society. Until all of these anonymous parents, teachers paraprofessionals, students and others are ASSURED by EVERY member of the school committee AND the new superintendent that they will not be retaliated against like the few whistle blowers who have come forward already and lost their jobs, or worse. They will remain anonymous, meet secretly and continue to organize and grow in numbers. When the time is right, they will act, and the fallout will be resounding.
Anonymous, May 13:
Wow, do you have it wrong! Ms. Geryk could deasily fire those who have committed any wrong doing. If the interest lies in keeping her job and she believes that it is possible that someone below her has crossed the line in any way, she could very easily say goodbye; saving her own job at the cost of another's. I think that Ms. Geryk believes in the programs she has helped to create because they give kids the best opportunity to stay in-district and experience success.
Your comments appear irrational and paranoid. Could this be because you lost your job as a result of making irrational complaints against a sound program with proven results?
I don't believe that Ms. Geryk would be able to fire an employee because she thought that it was merely possible that the employee committed a wrong-doing. I think there would have to be clear evidence. Without clear evidence, she would have to abuse her power by influencing other staff members, principals, administrators, human resources personnel, the union rep, etc. to fabricate false accusations against the employee, while she looked the other way and kept her hands clean. (Of course, she could not arrange this without the compliance of a superintendent.) Why would she do such a thing? You said it: to keep her job. She is on the fast track to perhaps becoming Amherst's super one day. Some people wish she had applied for the job this year. She would have been hired, I think. Admitting mistakes, such as failing to act when she knew that a child in Building Blocks was shut in a closet for over 2 hours, screaming and crying, can make you unpopular, at the very least. Failing to File a 51-A when a staff person reports child abuse can maybe get you fired. Sanctioning the bullying of teachers and parents by a sped staff coordinator might get you demoted, if the public found out about it. And when an ethical, moral employee speaks out against these mistakes, there has to be a way to terminate their employment without worrying about a civil rights law suit. And for the record, Ms. Geryk did not create Building Blocks. Mr. Brent Neilson did and he is very, very proud of that fact. To speak out against Building Blocks is a personal attack on his creation. Finally, let me say that no, I am not the courageous employee who was fired for making "irrational complaints against a sound program with proven results." But I would be proud if I were. Does such a person really exist? Or did you just make that up?
"Sanctioning the bullying of teachers and parents by a sped staff coordinator..." This actually happened to me. It's awful what a 'teacher' will do to rid themselves of someone who is aware of the wrongness of what they are doing.
I am sorry Neil if I fail to be the 'courageous employee' and come forward revealing my name, but for now I will use this format to express my shock and disbelief that the BB program operates where they restrain children and hold them in closets. I know this to be a fact. I have witnessed it many times and was told by my co-workers it was all legal. I slept very restless at night when an incident had occured during my work day and one of the BB kids was put in a closet and allowed to bang, kick and scream without end.
Ms. Geryk had to be aware of this no matter how much she may try and deny it or pass off anonymous posts stating what we know. Mr. Neilson bullied his way to silence anyone who thought anything but how wonderful his program is. You know something, Mr. Neilson has to have a conscience and I leave it to this along with this forum that these acts of atrocity have been unveiled and will now cease.
I can sleep easier just knowing I am being heard.
Hey Neil,
I think you made up the courageous employee losing his job story when you said, "they will not be retaliated against like the few whistle blowers who have come forward already and lost their jobs, or worse." And do I have it right that you would be proud of being the the employee who got fired for making irrational complaints against a sound program with proven results?
I belive Mr. Neilson does have a conscience and if Alison Donta-Venman did, she wouldn't allow everyone to post all this unsubstantiated, toxic slander about him. I've heard that he's quite nice and really cares about the kids in Building Blocks. I wonder if anyone who has posted here has actually ever met Mr. Neilson or the rest of the staff at Building Blocks.
Anonymous, May 13 wrote:
"Sometimes the abuses of power lead to the "loose cannon" phenomenon, and then you have a superior covering up for a lesser ranked worker in order to preserve the dignity of the office and the facade of good leadership."
referring to Ms. Geryk covering up for Brent Neilson and the Building Blocks program.
Anonymous, May 16 responded:
"Ms. Geryk could easily fire those who have committed any wrong doing."
Neil, May 16 replied:
"I don't believe that Ms. Geryk would be able to fire an employee because she thought that it was merely possible that the employee committed a wrong-doing. I think there would have to be clear evidence. Without clear evidence, she would have to abuse her power by influencing other staff members, principals, administrators, human resources personnel, the union rep, etc. to fabricate false accusations against the employee, while she looked the other way and kept her hands clean."
Is Neil saying that Brent Neilson must not have committed any wrong doing or that Ms. Geryk should abuse her power and conspire against him to answer to the accusations of some angry bloggers?
Anon. 10:05 p.m. Mr. Neilson may indeed appear to be a 'very nice man' and he may in his own distorted way care deeply for the kids he thinks he is 'educating', but what lesson does a child learn from being, in most cases forcibly, restrained in a closet? What life lesson does one learn from being allowed, almost encouraged, to bang with closed fists on padded walls and kick with all their might these same walls and yell at top of their lungs curse words and threats against their teachers and all the while crying their hearts out???
Anonymous, 6:44:
Are you suggesting that students who bang their fists should be stopped from doing this?
Anon 10:08PM: And what would you have me do instead? Delete all comments that might be considered "toxic" or "slander?" Require everyone to sign up with a substantiated name/email address before being allowed to post?
I believe in transparency and free speech. I don't even remove posts from people who call ME names! If you don't like some of the comments you are reading, feel free to spend your time looking at other things.
I know little about Building Blocks (although my kids go to school at Fort River) and don't think I have ever met Mr. Neilson and have no idea if these accusations are true, but given the volume of comments devoted to Building Blocks on this and other blogs, I do suspect that something with that program is less-than-ideal and should be investigated closely.
To Anon May 18, 9:52 pm: I did NOT write "they will not be retaliated against like the few whistle blowers who have come forward already and lost their jobs, or worse." Anon May 13, 8:56 pm said that. I DID write that I would be proud to lose my job "as a result of making irrational complaints against a sound program with proven results," which reflected back on what Anon May 16, 12:14 am said. The readers who know about Building Blocks abuses will understand my irony, but I will clarify it for others. If a school staff person OR parents stand up to authority and report incidences of student maltreatment, they may be written up as acting "disgruntled, irrational, combatant, angry, troublesome, insubordinate with poor job performance and/or inability to follow directions, etc. That report will be the official document that justifies their termination of employment, and protects the district from a civil rights law suit. Therefore, if I lost my job at Building Blocks because I courageously came forward, I would be proud, even though the official record of why I was fired would contain false denigrations of my character and professionalism. Also, I wanted to call special attention to the phrase "irrational complaints against a sound program with proven results." This does not sound "made up" to me. It is too specific, as if the writer was writing about a real person and real circumstances (perhaps the identity of May 13, 8:56 pm?) Obviously the "sound program" referred to is Building Blocks. Why not just call it that? The writer calls Anon May 13, 8:56 PM "paranoid and irrational." It is just the type of scenario that bloggers are writing about: Mr. Neilsen is personally affronted when someone criticizes his program, and he comes to its defense with glowing terms. The critic is discounted by being labeled with discrediting adjectives. I have to wonder if Anon May 16, 12:14 AM is not Mr Neilsen himself? To Anon May 18,10:37 pm: No and no.
After reading your last post Neil, I must hang my head in shame. I allowed the many abuses, in a sense, by not coming forward sooner and in a more direct way although I did file many discipline reports of abuse by these same kids on myself or other kids in the hallways that I observed. I experienced incredible workplace bullying as a result that might make for a great movie someday. =)
I also appointed myself as bus monitor where two other students were being terrorized by snowballs in their face and one given a bloody nose by the BB kids. Mr. Neilsen then arranged for paras to have this privilege/right taken away and none of the paras are permitted to make any such further reports to the house principal, the next in line for recognizing and keeping quiet about what goes on in BB that has been brought to his/her attention.
You're young, I can guess by your good spirited energy and proud approach to life, but in my situation I was drowned out by a phenomonom called "mobbing in the workplace." Hard concept perhaps to imagine, even harder to have lived through.
The lesson, I can only pray that the child who has suffered these atrocities of being locked in a closet, might be to hold their frustration and learn to talk through every day problems.
The gift of gab can go a long way...
Thank you Alsion for this opportunity to redeem myself.
What are the final responsibilites of the outgoing superintendent? Will she return to her former position?
Anon 8:15AM: I don't have any real answers, but given what I have seen at recent School Committee meetings, I would imagine that, in addition to the usual personnel matters, Superintendent Geryk will be responsible for the much-discussed survey of parents and staff before she leaves as well as having to see the budget discussions through to the end (Town Meeting begins discussion of the budget on June 15th) before she turns the reigns over to Dr. Rodriguez.
I have also not heard that she is NOT returning to her former position...but that is a good question. I was under the impression that she was, but I could be wrong.
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