Gallaudet’s Presidential Search Preparations Begin; SMSD Victory?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 1:00 am Eastern Time
Memo from Gallaudet Board Chair re MSCHE and presidential search
Board of Trustees
COLLEGE HALL
800 FLORIDA AVE. NE
WASHINGTON, DC 20002-3695
April 1, 2008
Dear Campus Community:
As you know, the Middle States Commission on Higher (MSCHE) requested
that Gallaudet submit a status report that documents
the University’s work on meeting its accreditation standards and the
progress that Gallaudet has made since the last report and MSCHE site
visit last October. Our report was submitted to the MSCHE on Monday.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to take this time to
let everyone who was involved in the report itself and also involved in
doing the hard work addressing each of the accreditation standards know
how much your contribution is valued. I would also like to thank the
entire campus team for its dedication and exemplary work on the report,
a document that shows the enormous strides taken by a campus committed
to reaffirming its accreditation and a stellar future for Gallaudet.
At this time, the Board is focusing its attention on the search for
Gallaudet’s next president. To this end, we are now planning a special
summer Board meeting which will primarily focus on refining the
presidential search process. The report from the Task Force to Review
the 2006 Presidential Search will be one of great help to us as we begin
the development of the process for the search for Gallaudet’s tenth
president. As we proceed, we will continue to seek the input and
involvement of the community. The Board will inform the campus
community of our progress after its summer meeting.
Sincerely,
Benjamin J. Soukup
Chair
Commentary: This should put to a rest all the unfounded conspiracies spreading about Davila serving as the permanent president without an definite term limit. As I stated a month ago, Gallaudet cannot resume the presidential search until the issues raised by MSCHE are addressed satisfactorily first. The BoT had also undergone a dramatic change with many departures and the work to familiarize the newcomers to the BoT procedures must be done first before they are ready to assume a tremendous responsibility of selecting a new president of Gallaudet. The preparations for the presidential search being made is an excellent sign that the MSCHE woes are soon to be over. MZ
______________________________________________________________________
SMSD Victory?
Chairman steps down at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf
excerpts:
The chairman of the board at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo has stepped down amid mounting pressure from parents and staff unhappy with the way the school is being run.
In addition, a popular math teacher may be rehired, possibly within weeks, and the school’s board of trustees has begun a reorganization that will include opening up its process somewhat.
The moves were announced Tuesday afternoon by the School Board, which has been criticized as being disconnected from the day-to-day operations of the school.
For many in the St. Mary’s community, the dismissal of Brewer in early March was a breaking point, spawning student protests as well as parent demands that the administration address a string of concerns that had been building for months.
The teachers union late Thursday afternoon received a proposal drafted by the school attorney that offers Brewer her job back but stipulates she remain on probation an additional 15 months. The document also lists concerns the administration has with Brewer, including allegations that she is not a team player and doesn’t show adequate respect to the principal, and it restricts what she would be allowed to do if she returns. The document also expresses concern over her students’ test scores.
For the full article, click on: http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/313297.html
BOARD OF TRUSTEE’S LETTER 4/1/08 to the SMSD Community: http://www.smsdk12.org/
Commentary: Possible SMSD Victory? It is too premature to say, but the stepping down of the board chairperson is a step in the right direction. The rehiring of the math teacher on a lengthy probationary contract is puzzling, considering that she had already served several years of probation, with only few weeks left on her contract when she was terminated. We need to keep an eye about any reprisals for the students. Keep in mind that the reprisals for Gallaudet and NCSD student protesters were excessively harsh. Incidentall, the Miss student protesters received no reprisals.
Another school protest may be brewing elsewhere. I’m keeping a close eye on that school. Same story: inferior education, inadequate communication, and audism.
We are witnessing a national school revolution where the students, fed up with their complaints going nowhere, are taking matters in their hands and revolt, demanding for better education and communication access.
With the majority of American students being apathetic, we should be proud of our young Deaf students being proactive for a high quality education and better communication accommodations. MZ
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 1:00 am Eastern Time
Memo from Gallaudet Board Chair re MSCHE and presidential search
Board of Trustees
COLLEGE HALL
800 FLORIDA AVE. NE
WASHINGTON, DC 20002-3695
April 1, 2008
Dear Campus Community:
As you know, the Middle States Commission on Higher (MSCHE) requested
that Gallaudet submit a status report that documents
the University’s work on meeting its accreditation standards and the
progress that Gallaudet has made since the last report and MSCHE site
visit last October. Our report was submitted to the MSCHE on Monday.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to take this time to
let everyone who was involved in the report itself and also involved in
doing the hard work addressing each of the accreditation standards know
how much your contribution is valued. I would also like to thank the
entire campus team for its dedication and exemplary work on the report,
a document that shows the enormous strides taken by a campus committed
to reaffirming its accreditation and a stellar future for Gallaudet.
At this time, the Board is focusing its attention on the search for
Gallaudet’s next president. To this end, we are now planning a special
summer Board meeting which will primarily focus on refining the
presidential search process. The report from the Task Force to Review
the 2006 Presidential Search will be one of great help to us as we begin
the development of the process for the search for Gallaudet’s tenth
president. As we proceed, we will continue to seek the input and
involvement of the community. The Board will inform the campus
community of our progress after its summer meeting.
Sincerely,
Benjamin J. Soukup
Chair
Commentary: This should put to a rest all the unfounded conspiracies spreading about Davila serving as the permanent president without an definite term limit. As I stated a month ago, Gallaudet cannot resume the presidential search until the issues raised by MSCHE are addressed satisfactorily first. The BoT had also undergone a dramatic change with many departures and the work to familiarize the newcomers to the BoT procedures must be done first before they are ready to assume a tremendous responsibility of selecting a new president of Gallaudet. The preparations for the presidential search being made is an excellent sign that the MSCHE woes are soon to be over. MZ
______________________________________________________________________
SMSD Victory?
Chairman steps down at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf
excerpts:
The chairman of the board at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo has stepped down amid mounting pressure from parents and staff unhappy with the way the school is being run.
In addition, a popular math teacher may be rehired, possibly within weeks, and the school’s board of trustees has begun a reorganization that will include opening up its process somewhat.
The moves were announced Tuesday afternoon by the School Board, which has been criticized as being disconnected from the day-to-day operations of the school.
For many in the St. Mary’s community, the dismissal of Brewer in early March was a breaking point, spawning student protests as well as parent demands that the administration address a string of concerns that had been building for months.
The teachers union late Thursday afternoon received a proposal drafted by the school attorney that offers Brewer her job back but stipulates she remain on probation an additional 15 months. The document also lists concerns the administration has with Brewer, including allegations that she is not a team player and doesn’t show adequate respect to the principal, and it restricts what she would be allowed to do if she returns. The document also expresses concern over her students’ test scores.
For the full article, click on: http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/313297.html
BOARD OF TRUSTEE’S LETTER 4/1/08 to the SMSD Community: http://www.smsdk12.org/
Commentary: Possible SMSD Victory? It is too premature to say, but the stepping down of the board chairperson is a step in the right direction. The rehiring of the math teacher on a lengthy probationary contract is puzzling, considering that she had already served several years of probation, with only few weeks left on her contract when she was terminated. We need to keep an eye about any reprisals for the students. Keep in mind that the reprisals for Gallaudet and NCSD student protesters were excessively harsh. Incidentall, the Miss student protesters received no reprisals.
Another school protest may be brewing elsewhere. I’m keeping a close eye on that school. Same story: inferior education, inadequate communication, and audism.
We are witnessing a national school revolution where the students, fed up with their complaints going nowhere, are taking matters in their hands and revolt, demanding for better education and communication access.
With the majority of American students being apathetic, we should be proud of our young Deaf students being proactive for a high quality education and better communication accommodations. MZ
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
You’ll need to fix this post. Seems as if your commentary on SMSD got mixed up with the BOT memo above.
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
anonymous
many thanks for letting me know. this blog did a belated april fool prank on me!
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Elizabeth,
Good one.
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Isnt this sad? In this time and age, with much advancement. We continue to hear of poor education, the list goes on.
The list for the “fired” SMSD teacher sure is curious. Sorta say abit more, yet vaguely, of what the issues are.
Want to thank you for allowing postings. A certain blogger has blocked every one of my post which is surprising. Allow very few post to appear. Not living up to its username, using old famed dectetive name. In reality, an isult to that famed dectective. That is ok, message is loud. Quit checking this blogger’s posting. All hot air.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
To water:
I agree….. which is why I stopped even looking at “that” blogger. If he really believes in his own name, he should not be afraid of other person’s views on things.
Elizabeth- you are doing a great job. ..I agree with you….this should put to rest all those crazy theories about Bob Davila.
About SMSD: It does seem, when I read the announcement, that there is more to the story.
But for now, let’s hope that education at that school will improve for the kids.
Raphael J. St. Johns
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Thanks for letting us know the update on the school.
NCSD has a human right committee meeting on April 7th and am planning to go to it. The issue hasn’t died.
We are puzzle why Dr. LL getting paid $94,000 a year to work from home when she is “transfer” to OES. There is no position posting on this and it is all fixed. She was suppose to be transferred yesterday but it has been delayed until April 9th. Why is that happening that is going to be the 1 million dollar question on April 7th.
The students are still being picked on and one of the student need service from mental health provider and the therapist was schedule to see the student was stopped. hummm
The dorm life continues to be miserable the Dorm Dean whatever her position is still being investigated she still out on suspension. This will be the issue on April 7th to get rid of her as well.
Also, the students still can’t go off campus after school unless someone hold their hands to cross the street.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
Funny thing is this morning I just saw a posting on deafed.net for Teacher for the Deaf position at St Mary’s school for the Deaf.