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PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 112

See the Eagle trib article below.

Maybe we parents need to attend the next public meeting and amend the next proposed budget lower by $24,000?!?! Clearly, they have that much "fat" in it if the Admin can arbitrarily hire Bucky back to help the new Athletic Director.

And who is monitoring exactly how many hours Bucky puts in?? Not even Bucky!! He is quoted as saying he just bills them for 20 hours per week with no accounting. Where's the School Board in this fiasco??? Where's the Budget Committee Len???

Couldn't we have used this money somehow educating our kids??? Or maybe we did - to learn dodgeball.

Peter Bealo

New AD takes over, but former stays on as consultant

By Meghan Carey
mcarey@eagletribune.com

PLAISTOW, N.H. — Fall sports programs at Timberlane Regional High School began this week under the leadership of new athletic director Angelo Fantasia. But his predecessor, Dennis "Bucky" Tardif, was right there, too.

Tardif, a Haverhill, Mass., resident, retired on June 30 from the athletic director position after 23 years on the job. On July 1, he began working as a district administrative consultant at the rate of $30 an hour.

Last month, school officials said they could not remember when the decision was made to hire Tardif as a consultant. Superintendent Richard La Salle also said Tardif was a "short-term" consultant without a contract, but couldn't define short term. The decision to hire him in that capacity isn't reflected in any of the School Board minutes.

Tardif said in a phone interview this week he is working for the school district for a year. He's limited to 20 hours per week and 800 hours for the year. He said he is already working extra hours but not billing the district for it.

"I'll probably put 1,500 hours in," Tardif said. "Already this summer, I don't know how many hours I've put in. I just bill the district for 20 (a week)."

Tardif has spent his time serving on committees, helping Fantasia and overseeing the facilities, he said.

The district's decision to have Tardif stay on had little to do with his replacement, he said.

"To help with the transition, that was least on the totem pole," Tardif said. "We got a very good man in Angelo."

Fantasia, of Salem, came from the Nashua School District where he said he oversaw two sets of varsity teams and three middle-school athletic programs. Timberlane has just one set of high and middle school teams, he said.

Fantasia already has implemented some of his techniques from Nashua at Timberlane.

He held a barbecue for coaches earlier this summer and went over their coaches' packets with them while they ate, he said. Fantasia plans to take a similar approach with the parents and student-athletes at an "awareness" night Tuesday. At that session, the school's athletic policies, rules and expectations will be reviewed, he said. Afterward, each team will meet with its coaches to discuss the individual team's rules and expectations.

"That's something that I'm used to doing," Fantasia said. "It sends the right message to start out that way."

Even though Fantasia is running things his way, he said he has appreciated the guidance he's gotten at Timberlane this summer.

"I've been around long enough to know to take help whenever I can and use the resources available to me," Fantasia said.

Six months ago, Tardif said, he sat down with administrators to develop a job description for his replacement. The athletic director's position grew over the years Tardif was at Timberlane. He said he ended up doing many tasks that are uncommon for an athletic director.

Tops on that list was overseeing facility rentals, he said. He also served on most district committees because he was the administrator with the highest seniority, he said.

"Finally, Richard (La Salle) said, 'How about sticking around for a bit?'" Tardif said. "There was no, 'Oh, let's give Bucky Tardif a soft, cushy job.'"

La Salle could not be reached for comment.

Tardif said he only retired because of the statewide retirement panic and planned to get a part-time job anyway. He said he has turned down other opportunities that would have paid better to stay at Timberlane.

"I've literally hired every coach, served on every committee, my son and daughter went there," he said. "It's become a very, very important part of my life. I want to finish jobs that I don't think have been finished yet."

La Salle went to the School Board with a job description for the consultant's position in late May or early June, Tardif said, and board members concurred he could stay.

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alfredtwo · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 62

The lack of trasparency does bother me. I know Bucky and I trust that he is not booking more time than he is actually putting in but that is not a good way to run a business. This should have been more discussed in public meetings at the very least.

PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 112

Yep, he's a great guy. But he's a retired great guy who's very-capable replacement is already onboard. I too am confident Bucky isn't playing with his timecard, but that said, I think his replacement should be doing the job. What else isn't getting funded by giving Bucky this consulting job?

I've already asked my town's School Board members if there is any contractual or legal reason they can't immediately terminate this relationship, and further asked them to make a point of ending it at the next Board meeting. Hopefully all the School Board reps are hearing this message from their constituants.

therents · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

Ive heard from at least two sources now that he was asked to stay on as he is well liked and can help the school get the new field house they want so badly. Bucky is well known and has the contacts that new AD has not been able to cultivate yet.

DanvilleParent · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

My question is:
What if Bucky wasn't around?
What if, for example (and I don't wish this upon him) he had died while he was still employed full time by the school as the Athletic Director?

Then how would the new AD do the job?

Field House? You've got to be kidding! We're told that we need a new building because the High School is out of date and not energy efficient.

Field House? To encourage the athletics, but let the Academic standards slide due to the fact that we don't have the money to invest in to the classrooms?

Field House? We have teachers showing TV shows during class time, but we have time for students to participate in athletics that won't carry most of them, professionally, beyond high school.

Field House sounds nice, but it's not going to raise student grades or test scores.

PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 112

Is a new fieldhouse on the Capital Improvement Plan.

Actually - maybe I should ask if there is a Capital Improvement Plan!! Maybe Len Mullen would know this...

Peter Bealo

DanvilleParent · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

Capital Improvement Plan?
Never heard of it.
We're too busy throwing money at the problems rather than sitting down and seeing what we need now, in 5 years, and in the long run.

DanvilleParent · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

alfredtwo · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 62

The School Board rep would make sure the budget committee is aware of long term capital plans to make sure they had budcom support. If they didn't then the administration would do so. Such things have so much budget impact that even the worst school board and administration in the world would keep the budcom current on it. IMHO Smile

PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 112

To paraphrase Mr. Baldwin below: Bucky not only is a great athletic director, but taxpayers trust him as well, and he will be used to try and "sell" the taxpayers on some idea which we won't tell you about just yet. But don't worry, it's "for the children".

Peter Bealo

Dear Mr. Bealo,

I am assuming that you watched the last school board meeting on August 21,
2008 which should of answered your questions or concerns about Mr. Tardif.
During that meeting it was explained about the role that Mr. Tardif has and
will continue to played in this district for up to a year. Mr. Tardif is not
only helping with the transition of the new Athletic Director, but he is
assisting with the Strategic Planning for the future of this district and
the children. I am not sure if you are aware of this or not, but Mr. Tardif
has been a true asset to this district in more ways then one. Yes, he has
been the Athletic Director, but he has been a positive spokes person for
this district on various projects within our school district. The advantages
of having such an individual who knows the district and can communicate well
to the citizens as part of a team effort for the district is fantastic. Mr.
Tardif is performing a lot of tasks with the strategic planning process
which valuable to all involved. Mr. Tardif consulting is temporary and is in
the best interest of this district moving forward.

You mention about oversight being an issue? Mr. Tardif has to answer to the
Superintendent, and the Superintendent answers to the School Board. So you
see, there is a checks and balances.

Again, we are doing what's in the best interest of the children and this
district.

I hope this answers your question.

Have a great weekend.

Respectfully,
Bill Baldwin, Chairman
TRSD

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Bealo [mailto:pbealo@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 7:06 AM
To: jack@mhsco.com; liz@entitynetwork.com; lswithee@comcast.net
Cc: pbealo@comcast.net
Subject: RE: Tardif consulting
Importance: High

In addition to the question I asked you folks on Monday; Is there any
contractual or legal reason that the School Board can't just end this waste
right now?

I'd also like to ask if it is now your policy to ignore constituent's
e-mails and information requests, it being Thursday and nobody responding
yet?

Best Regards,
Peter Bealo
Plaistow, NH

-----Original Message-----
From: pbealo@comcast.net [mailto:pbealo@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 11:16 AM
To: jack@mhsco.com; liz@entitynetwork.com; lswithee@comcast.net
Subject: Tardif consulting

Plaistow School Board Members:

Having Bucky Tardif consult for the new Athletic Director, especially with
no real oversight (he was quoted by Eagle Trib as saying he just bills for
20 hours/week) doesn't seem to be a wise use of taxpayer funds.

Is there any contractual or legal reason that the School Board can't just
end this waste right now?

I ask you each to help ensure that this relationship is terminated
immediately.

I'm not taking any issue with Tardif - its just that he retired and has been
replaced, we should just move on. His replacement has as much experience as
he had and I am sure the district hired a competent person...

Best Regards,
Peter Bealo
Plaistow, NH

therents · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

Is Mr. Baldwin calling the Administration and the SB incompetent to talk to the public to get the point across.? So, they need to hire someone to do it for them? Bucky was an AD what are his real qualifications for capital planning, except he can list the qualities of a nice field house? Do he some qualifications we as the uneducated public are not aware of.

I don't think that the administration thought this through. Bucky is well liked, but there was an assumption that he was retained to SELL the district something. Now the SB has admitted he is there to sell us something for the children. How many people now will automatically just say NO since they know he was retained as a salesman?

PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 112

Am I missing something here, or is Baldwin saying the School Board only advises the SAU and does not direct it??
Peter Bealo

Dear Mr. Bealo,

Good evening to you. It is important for you to understand that consultants are hired at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools. We are obvious asked for our input to help guide some of these decisions. Any other issues that refer to any consultant hired or being hired, you need to speak with Mr. LaSalle. This School Board works hard to do what's in the best interest of the children.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,
Bill Baldwin

-----Original Message-----
From: pbealo@comcast.net [mailto:pbealo@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 2:33 PM
To: wbaldwin@atkinsonpolice.us
Cc: Lt. William Baldwin; La Salle, Richard; Arlene Champey; Jack Paone; Kosta, Elizabeth; Lori Aubrey; lswithee@comcast.net; Michael Mascola; Robert Collins; Steve Brown
Subject: RE: Tardif consulting

Mr. Baldwin,

Thank you for the response, but you did not answer my question. I asked the
following:

"Is there any contractual or legal reason that the School Board can't just end this waste right now?"

You told me that in your opinion it is not waste, and I respect that. You did not tell me whether or not the Board is empowered to terminate the deal if it chose.

Again, if possible, I believe you should terminate the consulting deal.

Best Regards and have a great Labor Day weekend, Peter Bealo

alfredtwo · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 62

The school board makes policy generally. It approves some contracts but not all. The school board does not micro-manage the superentendent. The school board can, in theory, replace the superentendent if they don't like the way the district is managed. Think board of directors of a company with a CEO. The board guides policy, makes recommendations and only in special cases uses the "atomic bomb" option of firing the CEO. There are a lot of things the super can do where the only way the board can stip him is to fire him or change policy. Neither of those is really that easy.

TRHSparent · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

Has anyone else wondered why the HS website hasn't been updated yet with new faculty members and other school related material. The Middle School website is updated. Maybe the HS should use the same person they do to get their site updated. MS also has their daily bulletin announcing what's going on.

What happen to the calender announcing different sporting events? You would think with "2" athletic directors, someone would make sure all games for every sport be listed on the web calendar.

TRHSparent · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

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