I just received a letter from a moderator on the F.O.R.E blog. It requested no copying of their material to this blog. Based on past practice, I will consider removing the previous two posts in question and will comply with the request on future posts. In addition, I would like to propose an idea. This blog has been "live" for a few years now, has been mentioned in the Lee Town Crier, at various school and town meetings, published in Durham's Friday Updates, advertised locally, and also has ~3x the amount of fans on our Facebook page. If the F.O.R.E authors would like, why not post your articles and ideas here? In the past, I have asked for input on all sides of an argument. Clearly, there is a need to vent and post interesting articles and commentary regarding our district. Why not consolidate in one location, with one link, and one Facebook/Twitter profile.
We differ on the use of comments in both sites but I believe there is room for compromise in this area using comment moderation.
By consolidating the information and articles from all stakeholders, this will create a much more cohesive and centralized source for information.
Thoughts?
Friday, June 10, 2011
F.O.R.E. calling for a civil blog
Please let us know your thoughts on this letter posted by F.O.R.E. It gives an overview of FORE's moderated policies as well as an urge for civil dialogue and accountability, which we should all support.
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[The letter has been removed based on a previous request]
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[The letter has been removed based on a previous request]
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Letter from a faction of the community
Below is a letter from F.O.R.E. calling for the Superintendent to stay beyond next year. It calls for Mr. Colter, who has announced that he will be moving on after next year to stay.
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[The letter has been removed based on a previous request]
Oyster River School Board's student rep. faces violation charge
DURHAM — Oyster River's School Board student representative is facing a violation charge after allegedly trespassing at the Jackson Landing Ice Rink and running from police.
In the early morning hours Sunday, police arrested Cody Jacobsen, 17, of 97B Hayes Road in Madbury.
Durham police had allegedly seen the Oyster River junior and three others at the rink on Old Piscataqua Road just before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.
"The officers went to investigate and they fled from the officers," said Durham Deputy Police Chief Rene Kelley.
Police said the four ran into the woods and at one point crossed over Route 4 when they allegedly attempted to evade police.
Officers arrested and charged Reed T. Guerino, 17, of 23 Laurel Lane, Durham with a violation charge of loitering.
Officers located others at 12:52 a.m. behind the Public Works building at Stone Quarry Drive. When approached by police, Jacobsen was asked not to move and complied with police.
He was arrested and charged with a violation level offense of loitering. Both Jacobsen and Guerino are scheduled to appear in Dover District Court on June 20 for arraignment.
The other two teens, aged under 17, were released to parents.
Kelley also said officers located some marijuana drug-related paraphernalia the teens may have left behind, but police are not charging either with anything.
"We're certainly not accusing any of them of possession of drug paraphernalia," he said.
With the Oyster River School Board, Jacobsen has been an outspoken member and an advocate for the students' rights. He helped organize the recent student walkout in opposition of the School Board's decision to reject a high school principal nomination.
"He is a very fine young man," said Superintendent Howard Colter. "He is very dependable and articulate."
Jacobsen has been nominated by his peers to continue on the School Board as the student representative for the coming school year. Colter said he does not believe if Jacobsen is convicted of the violation charge that it would cause the School Board to reconsider his position.
"I know very little about it," Colter said. "But it doesn't seem to raise to the level that would cause the Board to ask the students to bring forth another student representative."
In the early morning hours Sunday, police arrested Cody Jacobsen, 17, of 97B Hayes Road in Madbury.
Durham police had allegedly seen the Oyster River junior and three others at the rink on Old Piscataqua Road just before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.
"The officers went to investigate and they fled from the officers," said Durham Deputy Police Chief Rene Kelley.
Police said the four ran into the woods and at one point crossed over Route 4 when they allegedly attempted to evade police.
Officers arrested and charged Reed T. Guerino, 17, of 23 Laurel Lane, Durham with a violation charge of loitering.
Officers located others at 12:52 a.m. behind the Public Works building at Stone Quarry Drive. When approached by police, Jacobsen was asked not to move and complied with police.
He was arrested and charged with a violation level offense of loitering. Both Jacobsen and Guerino are scheduled to appear in Dover District Court on June 20 for arraignment.
The other two teens, aged under 17, were released to parents.
Kelley also said officers located some marijuana drug-related paraphernalia the teens may have left behind, but police are not charging either with anything.
"We're certainly not accusing any of them of possession of drug paraphernalia," he said.
With the Oyster River School Board, Jacobsen has been an outspoken member and an advocate for the students' rights. He helped organize the recent student walkout in opposition of the School Board's decision to reject a high school principal nomination.
"He is a very fine young man," said Superintendent Howard Colter. "He is very dependable and articulate."
Jacobsen has been nominated by his peers to continue on the School Board as the student representative for the coming school year. Colter said he does not believe if Jacobsen is convicted of the violation charge that it would cause the School Board to reconsider his position.
"I know very little about it," Colter said. "But it doesn't seem to raise to the level that would cause the Board to ask the students to bring forth another student representative."
Oyster River selects an interim high school principal
DURHAM — After a nomination by the superintendent, School Board members voted unanimously Wednesday night to select current Middle School Assistant Principal Todd Allen as interim high school principal for the upcoming school year.
The Oyster River School Board will be suspending its high school principal search at this time. Members have not definitely decided when it will continue its search for a permanent candidate.
"The Board is pleased to have confirmed Todd's nomination," said School Board Chair Henry Brackett in a statement. "We believe that selecting an internal candidate is in the district's best interest. Todd knows the kids, he knows the parents and he has an established relationship with the district's best interest."
The School Board is intending to submit a formal press release about the nomination and appointment of Allen later this week to the public.
Allen, who is currently serving as assistant principal at the Oyster River Middle School, will take on his duties as high school principal on July 1 and continue until June 30, 2012. He will be receiving a salary of $96,500 for the position during that time.
Allen has worked with the Oyster River School district since 1985 when he joined as a middle school teacher and taught social studies until 2008, when he took on the position as assistant principal. He has been actively involved in extracurricular activities with students including cross-country running, track and field, basketball and student council.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Maine and his Masters of Education with a focus on Middle Level Education from Notre Dame College. He is currently working on his Education Specialist in Administration and Supervision degree from the University of New Hampshire.
"I'm very excited for this opportunity," Allen said. "Thank you Howard (Colter) for nominating me."
The Oyster River School Board will be suspending its high school principal search at this time. Members have not definitely decided when it will continue its search for a permanent candidate.
"The Board is pleased to have confirmed Todd's nomination," said School Board Chair Henry Brackett in a statement. "We believe that selecting an internal candidate is in the district's best interest. Todd knows the kids, he knows the parents and he has an established relationship with the district's best interest."
The School Board is intending to submit a formal press release about the nomination and appointment of Allen later this week to the public.
Allen, who is currently serving as assistant principal at the Oyster River Middle School, will take on his duties as high school principal on July 1 and continue until June 30, 2012. He will be receiving a salary of $96,500 for the position during that time.
Allen has worked with the Oyster River School district since 1985 when he joined as a middle school teacher and taught social studies until 2008, when he took on the position as assistant principal. He has been actively involved in extracurricular activities with students including cross-country running, track and field, basketball and student council.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Maine and his Masters of Education with a focus on Middle Level Education from Notre Dame College. He is currently working on his Education Specialist in Administration and Supervision degree from the University of New Hampshire.
"I'm very excited for this opportunity," Allen said. "Thank you Howard (Colter) for nominating me."
Monday, June 6, 2011
New source of ORCSD info now available
Another acronym based community group has been formed. F.O.R.E (friends of Oyster River education) has started a website with a mission to "restore the bond among all parties involved in our schools and move forward to face this challenging period in education".
I wish to extend thanks to the creators of this website. It not only validates the reasoning behind this blog but also supports the notion that the local press is not adequately covering our districts issues.
For more information and to comment on their forums, please visit
forenh.org
I wish to extend thanks to the creators of this website. It not only validates the reasoning behind this blog but also supports the notion that the local press is not adequately covering our districts issues.
For more information and to comment on their forums, please visit
forenh.org
Friday, June 3, 2011
OR Board makes some wise choices
Finally...Foster's posts something positive about ORCSD!
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On Wednesday the Oyster River School Board took two important steps in lessening the tension that has surrounded its recent failure to hire a new principal.
First the board opted to fill the position temporarily with someone currently on staff, but who has the necessary credentials.
Second, board members gracefully agreed to a request by students that they not participate in graduation ceremonies on June 10. It was a role that in recent years saw a board member help pass out diplomas.
While both measures will be criticized in come corners of the Oyster River body politic, something needed to be done to calm the district's collective nerves.
While the board has been on a political roller coaster for the past few years, things really hit the skids when the board recently rejected Superintendent Howard Colter's nominee for principal. In the process, a weak statement as to its reasons released by the board only served to roil the community — student body included.
Subsequent School Board meetings and statements only seemed to aggravate the situation.
Now, board members have taken a deep breath — a time out, if you will. They have given students, many of whom had walked out over the failure to hire Colter's nominee, their space.
Meanwhile they have given themselves time to regroup and come back to the issue of hiring a permanent replacement next year. They have also wisely left the door open in the event the interim principal works out by not banning that person from applying.
None of this will stop the second-guess ing which has become du jour. Some will continue to blame the upheaval on a small group of dissidents, led by those previously defeated for positions on the School Board.
After watching and reading about recent School Board meetings, Foster's Daily Democrat believes even newly elected and longer-term School Board members recognize they have a problem, independent of outside troublemakers.
This, in part, may have driven the decision to step back from graduation ceremonies and hire an interim principal. Whether this is the case, members of the Oyster River School now have a chance to regroup and move foreword in a more orderly and productive manner.
It is a wise choice that should be supported by critics and skeptics.
-----------------------
Letter from Board to Students:
Congratulations to each of you on the eve of your graduation. You have so much to be proud of as you mark one of life's great milestones, and as Board members, community members and parents, we are proud of you, too.
This is your time, and graduation is your day. To make absolutely certain the focus of the ceremony is where it belongs, we agree that it is best to do as you have asked and put a pause on the current tradition of having a board member pass out diplomas to students. Instead, we will be among the loudest voices in the audience cheering you on.
Each of you represents a tradition of excellence at Oyster River High School and in our district as a whole. It's a tradition to which all of us in the community are devoted, and which will keep our district strong through the turbulence that comes with change.
Class of 2011, we salute you! See you on graduation day.
Sincerely,
The ORCSD School Board
James Kach
Ann Wright
Megan Turnbull
Henry Brackett
Ann Lane
Krista Butts
Jocelyn O'Quinn
-------------------------------
On Wednesday the Oyster River School Board took two important steps in lessening the tension that has surrounded its recent failure to hire a new principal.
First the board opted to fill the position temporarily with someone currently on staff, but who has the necessary credentials.
Second, board members gracefully agreed to a request by students that they not participate in graduation ceremonies on June 10. It was a role that in recent years saw a board member help pass out diplomas.
While both measures will be criticized in come corners of the Oyster River body politic, something needed to be done to calm the district's collective nerves.
While the board has been on a political roller coaster for the past few years, things really hit the skids when the board recently rejected Superintendent Howard Colter's nominee for principal. In the process, a weak statement as to its reasons released by the board only served to roil the community — student body included.
Subsequent School Board meetings and statements only seemed to aggravate the situation.
Now, board members have taken a deep breath — a time out, if you will. They have given students, many of whom had walked out over the failure to hire Colter's nominee, their space.
Meanwhile they have given themselves time to regroup and come back to the issue of hiring a permanent replacement next year. They have also wisely left the door open in the event the interim principal works out by not banning that person from applying.
None of this will stop the second-guess ing which has become du jour. Some will continue to blame the upheaval on a small group of dissidents, led by those previously defeated for positions on the School Board.
After watching and reading about recent School Board meetings, Foster's Daily Democrat believes even newly elected and longer-term School Board members recognize they have a problem, independent of outside troublemakers.
This, in part, may have driven the decision to step back from graduation ceremonies and hire an interim principal. Whether this is the case, members of the Oyster River School now have a chance to regroup and move foreword in a more orderly and productive manner.
It is a wise choice that should be supported by critics and skeptics.
-----------------------
Letter from Board to Students:
Congratulations to each of you on the eve of your graduation. You have so much to be proud of as you mark one of life's great milestones, and as Board members, community members and parents, we are proud of you, too.
This is your time, and graduation is your day. To make absolutely certain the focus of the ceremony is where it belongs, we agree that it is best to do as you have asked and put a pause on the current tradition of having a board member pass out diplomas to students. Instead, we will be among the loudest voices in the audience cheering you on.
Each of you represents a tradition of excellence at Oyster River High School and in our district as a whole. It's a tradition to which all of us in the community are devoted, and which will keep our district strong through the turbulence that comes with change.
Class of 2011, we salute you! See you on graduation day.
Sincerely,
The ORCSD School Board
James Kach
Ann Wright
Megan Turnbull
Henry Brackett
Ann Lane
Krista Butts
Jocelyn O'Quinn
OR students to choose who gives out diplomas
By RONI REINO
rreino@fosters.comFriday, June 3, 2011
DURHAM — As seniors finish up the last of their high school classes, many have said they are glad to know they will be choosing who will hand them their diploma.
After seniors sent School Board members a letter requesting students chose a representative to give out diplomas instead of a School Board member this year.
Following discussion, board members decided to send a response to the seniors.
Members spent time at Wednesday night's School Board meeting editing the letter that was written and submitted by board members Jocelyn O'Quinn and Megan Turnbull.
Students and staff have stood by school policy, indicating it is not the School Board's place to plan graduation.
"Planning for graduation is the responsibility of the high school administration, faculty and staff as is outlined in board policy IKF, which states that 'the (high school) staff will arrange each spring for appropriate awards and recognition programs and graduation exercises,'" read a letter dated May 27 from High School Principal Laura Rogers.
On Thursday, seniors received a letter from the School Board congratulating their upcoming graduation.
"You have so much to be proud of as you mark one of life's great milestones," it read. "And as Board members, community members and parents, we are proud of you, too."
Members also stated in the letter graduation is a day to celebrate the seniors' accomplishments.
"This is your time, and graduation is your day," the letter read. "To make absolutely certain the focus of the ceremony is where it belongs, we agree that it is best to do as you have asked and put a pause on the current tradition of having a board member pass out diplomas to students."
Some of the Board members have indicated they will be attending the June 10 graduation.
Senior David Taylor said the letter was a surprise to him and many of his classmates. After receiving the response from the School Board, Taylor said it was good to know their voices were being heard.
"It's nice the student's wish is being respected," he said.
Students are expected to take a survey on Friday, June 3, during their core group morning meetings to vote on possible people to hand out diplomas. Members of the senior class have already selected a few of their teachers to nominate.
"At that time, all the seniors should be present and can vote," Taylor said.
Senior class President Ethan Hotchkiss said the thought of graduation had not quite hit him as of Thursday afternoon.
"It feels like a normal Thursday," he said.
However, he said he was also glad to know the School Board was respecting the student's request to choose someone other than a School Board member to hand out diplomas. He said it was "nice change of pace" to have the members listen to their voices.
"Not all we need to do is graduate," he said.
After seniors sent School Board members a letter requesting students chose a representative to give out diplomas instead of a School Board member this year.
Following discussion, board members decided to send a response to the seniors.
Members spent time at Wednesday night's School Board meeting editing the letter that was written and submitted by board members Jocelyn O'Quinn and Megan Turnbull.
Students and staff have stood by school policy, indicating it is not the School Board's place to plan graduation.
"Planning for graduation is the responsibility of the high school administration, faculty and staff as is outlined in board policy IKF, which states that 'the (high school) staff will arrange each spring for appropriate awards and recognition programs and graduation exercises,'" read a letter dated May 27 from High School Principal Laura Rogers.
On Thursday, seniors received a letter from the School Board congratulating their upcoming graduation.
"You have so much to be proud of as you mark one of life's great milestones," it read. "And as Board members, community members and parents, we are proud of you, too."
Members also stated in the letter graduation is a day to celebrate the seniors' accomplishments.
"This is your time, and graduation is your day," the letter read. "To make absolutely certain the focus of the ceremony is where it belongs, we agree that it is best to do as you have asked and put a pause on the current tradition of having a board member pass out diplomas to students."
Some of the Board members have indicated they will be attending the June 10 graduation.
Senior David Taylor said the letter was a surprise to him and many of his classmates. After receiving the response from the School Board, Taylor said it was good to know their voices were being heard.
"It's nice the student's wish is being respected," he said.
Students are expected to take a survey on Friday, June 3, during their core group morning meetings to vote on possible people to hand out diplomas. Members of the senior class have already selected a few of their teachers to nominate.
"At that time, all the seniors should be present and can vote," Taylor said.
Senior class President Ethan Hotchkiss said the thought of graduation had not quite hit him as of Thursday afternoon.
"It feels like a normal Thursday," he said.
However, he said he was also glad to know the School Board was respecting the student's request to choose someone other than a School Board member to hand out diplomas. He said it was "nice change of pace" to have the members listen to their voices.
"Not all we need to do is graduate," he said.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Meredith Nadeau named Cape Elizabeth Superintendent of Schools
Cape Elizabeth, Maine – June 1, 2011 –The Cape Elizabeth School Board voted unanimously
today to confirm Meredith Nadeau as the District’s next Superintendent of Schools.
“We are excited to introduce Meredith to the community,” said Board Chair Mary Townsend.
“From the beginning of our search process, the Cape Elizabeth community has voiced a desire
for a leader who steers all students toward a life-long curiosity and love of learning—a person
with energy and passion for continuous improvement. We believe that Meredith Nadeau exceeds
these expectations.”
Currently Nadeau is the Director of Instruction, Special Education, Data Assessment, Curriculum
(Humanities) and Professional Development in the Oyster River Cooperative School District in
Durham, New Hampshire, where she has served since 2008. Like Cape Elizabeth, Oyster River
is considered a high performing school district (all schools in the Oyster River District are
ranked in the top 15% in Great Schools and School Digger ratings; the Oyster River High School
received a Silver Medal in the 2010 U.S News High School National Rankings ).
“Cape Elizabeth is clearly a dynamic community with a strong value for education,” said
Nadeau, who will move to Maine with her husband and two young children. “I look forward to
meeting and working with district staff, parents, and community members during the coming
months and years to sustain and build upon the excellence that already exists in the school
system.”
Nadeau brings 18 years of educational experience to the district, including serving as a principal,
an assistant principal and a special education and language arts teacher. She holds a Master’s
Degree in Education from University of New Hampshire, and a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin
College. Currently, Nadeau is a doctoral candidate at Boston University.
"Meredith Nadeau has the credentials and experience for the position," said board member
Michael Moore, who co-chaired the search process. "She has generated remarkably consistent
and extremely positive feedback – both from those who've known her for years and those in our
district who've met her as part of the search process."
Today’s announcement ends a six-month search process to find a replacement for Superintendent
Alan Hawkins who retired in December 2010. Dr. Kenneth Murphy, former Superintendent of
the Yarmouth schools, has been serving as the Interim Superintendent since January, and will
remain in the District until Nadeau’s arrival on July 20, 2011.
Cape Elizabeth’s Superintendent Search included two rounds of applications with a total of 33
candidates applying from 18 states. Ten semi-finalist candidates were interviewed by the Board,
and dozens of phone conversations occurred to conduct reference and background checks on
finalist candidates.
“From the outset of this search, it was clear that the School Board and district stakeholders were
looking for that unique individual who could create an exciting vision for the district,” said Jackie Roy, the search consultant hired by the board to assist them in the search, “and it was also
clear that they would accept nothing less than a superintendent who was ready and able to
explore new ideas and elevate the district to higher standards of excellence for all students.”
“Meredith embodies all of the leadership qualities the Board was hoping to find in a candidate—
she is authentic, intelligent, student-centered, hard working, and collaborative,” said Townsend.
“She is a top-notch administrator in her current district, and we look forward to the positive
change her fresh perspective will bring to our community.”
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Discussion of new ORMS special education model
There is scheduled a meeting to discuss improvements in our special education model.
Thursday 6/9 in the ORMS library at 6:00pm.
Thursday 6/9 in the ORMS library at 6:00pm.
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