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PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 309

Many of us have difficulties with some of Mr. LaSalle's key decisions, philosophies and attitudes.

At the same time, it appears that Lawrence MA is about to jettison their superintendant, Wilfredo Laboy.

So the question on the table is: Should we demand the replacement of Mr. LaSalle immdeiately for: A) Mr. Laboy B) A player to be named later or C) Keep Mr. LaSalle in his present position

Vote early, vote often. Voting ends Friday.

Peter Bealo

DanvilleParent · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 24

They are also doing it in Sanborn.
The contract is up, and they aren't renewing it.

LenMullen · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 323 Location: Danville, NH

The school board hired Mr. La Salle and have supported him 100%. Why do you think demanding his dismissal will get us more than a lawsuit? His contract is up next year. Elect a different school board -- one that promises to run the schools in a way more in line with your expectations. If you can't find such a candidate, run.

BTW, what would your criteria for a superintendent be?

I'd be looking for Terry Francona -- a contributing member of the management team that had good relationships with the players, the media, and the fans. My superintendent would be able to execute a business plan even if he did not support it 100%.

Of course, this would require a management team.

Our school board rubber stamps every hiring, firing, and retirement. It was their right to determine the fate of the ski coaches. They may not have been able to anticipate the uproar, but they could have had a hearing -- they love nonpublic sessions -- between the decision to not renew the coaches and the hiring of a new coach and, if they agreed with the parents, simply instructed their employee to re-hire the Torosians.

It's the school board that is at fault. Fire them.
_________________
"I've been teaching here for 20 years so please don't assume that kids can add, subtract, multiply and divide integers without problems. Especially subtraction, as I found that many have trouble with." TRMS Math Teacher

PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 309

I guess I'm not so worried about lawsuits. The next Superintendant can just raid the textbook budget for whatever he needs to pay him off anyhow. :>)

Agreed: with the exception of a few stand-up members, the SB is a bunch of sheeple. Be that as it may, we need a Superintendant (and Asst Super. as well!) who are better in touch with our kids needs and who recognizes and respects parents' roles in the schools. This one doesn't. These guys can't even get their arms around the fact that parents will not allow nonleveled classes to be forced upon their children.

The ski team episode just highlights LaSalle's attitudes and approaches to problems and his clear disdain for parents. But I do admit that he's somewhat between a rock and hard place seemingly of his own making. He really cannot sit down with a group of parents and tell them why a contract is not being renewed, he just can't. That said, he can listen to the "voice of the customer" and reinstate the coaches. The SB can do so as well. The thing we do not know is whether their are child safety issues at play here, and there is no way we can know that, so in demanding their reinstatement parents are playing a probabilities game. Taking the opposite approach with the middle school coach a few months back also got LaSalle pilloried.

It seems to me the SB should have the discussion within their ranks (even kicking admin out of the room!) and either publically support LaSalle's decision or change the decision. With that they show some independance and indicate to the parents whether the termination was reasonable or not.

Peter Bealo

LenMullen · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 323 Location: Danville, NH

First, it's Mr. La Salle's job to staff the schools. The decision was his to make alone. I don't think parental lobbying should impact staffing decisions.

That said, the school board should have had at least feigned interest. It would have been best for them to have gone nonpublic (which they may have) and decided whether or not they support the decision.

If they supported the decision, the school board should have simply told the ski parents that they supported the decision of the superintendent and that there would be no change.

If they favored reinstating the coaches -- a lot -- they could have quietly urged the superintendent to order the athletic director to re-hire them.

It was inappropriate for Mr. La Salle to speak to the parents at the school board meeting. In fact, I am very much against his role on the committee. The board members are simply props at his meetings.
_________________
"I've been teaching here for 20 years so please don't assume that kids can add, subtract, multiply and divide integers without problems. Especially subtraction, as I found that many have trouble with." TRMS Math Teacher

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