With the upcoming lottery just around the corner, we have been working to draw the attention to the lottery process at our school. We have compiled a list of students and matched those names with school employees (who worked there prior to their child attending the school), city officials and employees. As a result we have identified at least 120 students of MVRCS that have connections to one of the above. Additionally, we have compiled a list of another 90 students who we believe to be associated with the school through connections to a Board Member, Administrator,or school employee. We also know that we do not have a complete list of all students we believe were given preferential treatment in obtaining admission to the school. While compiling this list, we came across examples that demonstrate the questionable and unethical allegations we have been hearing of from others.
A few examples include Chris Finn having upwards of 13 nieces and nephews within the school and John Baglio's son being admitted even though Mr. Baglio was living in Saugus at the time of applying (according to our sources, he used a relatives address). Mr. Baglio, for those of you who do not know, is or was married to Mayor Howards niece which is how he has gained and managed to retain his position (he is known for texting on his phone during classes, arriving late to his classes, playing questionable music, and implementing a questionable curriculum). Mr. Baglio isn't the only individual to apply to school while living out of district (regional districts), we also recently heard of a friend of another school employee who had to finagle for an acceptable address after being 'chosen'. In addition we've also recently heard of a Malden city employee who recently managed to get his two children into the school but not through the lottery but off of the wait list. According to our sources, this same gentleman is also currently a Malden school committee member. Additionally, we have heard from individuals who told of teachers being given preferential treatment that ranged from ensuring their child was selected, to siblings being admitted after 5th grade. Another instance would include the previously discussed re-admittance of two of Chris Finn's relatives but also the re-admittance of relatives of Mr. Gennetti (which we now have the names of). Another example involves the 'luck' of long time Neil Kinnon friends gaining acceptance. We find it amazing that all of these individuals were 'chosen' yet the school has not 'chosen' a single non-english speaking student. Our list goes on and on and will continue to compile and document examples (feel free to submit any you may have) until a government agency takes on the responsibility of ensuring that the lottery and wait-list are handled according to the laws as MVRCS will not do so on their own accord. We might suggest, at the very least, requiring that a formal wait list (created during the drawing by an unbiased, unconnected individual) be submitted to the DESE so that parents can not be told they are currently number 2 only to suddenly find themselves number 36 (as one family has), who happens to have a child in the same grade level as one of Chris Finn's re-admitted relative. Hmmmm
Boo Hoo you pussies! Our sources tell us that less than 7 people showed up at the last board meeting, none of which were your supporters! We also hear that govt groups are now looking into your unethical practices so we hope you see the justice dished out to you that you deserve for being such a snake! Get a life, nobody is supporting you or gives a shit anymore about your lies...gonna get ya soon!!!
ReplyDeleteSo are you also of the mindset that when the Beatles were considered "devils music"? I have never known a music teacher, or any teacher in the arts not to try and push the artistic license envelope just a bit. It's not like he is playing Pantera for the kindergarteners.
ReplyDeleteLess than 7 people showed up because it wasn't posted as required by law. As for government groups looking into our 'unethical practices', we welcome the opportunity to meet with them and lay out the massive amount of material and documentation that we have accumulated to support our claims. We too hope that justice is served and dished out as applicable. Keep up the threats, it really gives you creditability and makes you look like a stand up guy.
ReplyDeleteAs for the comment regarding Mr. Baglio pushing the 'artistic license envelope just a bit', that would be fine if an acceptable curriculum was taught the majority of the time OR if he showed up to his classes on time without his thumbs attached to his phone.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous @7:18 pm on October 17th
ReplyDeleteSince when is freedom of speech considered unethical? The only unethical practices are the ones that the board/administration have done and continue to do. Sadly, there are probably countless other unethical practices that the board/administration have done that we will never know about. The point is whether or not these unethical practices are against the law.
Interesting thought for the poster of this comment:
ReplyDelete"Boo Hoo you pussies! Our sources tell us that less than 7 people showed up at the last board meeting, none of which were your supporters! We also hear that govt groups are now looking into your unethical practices so we hope you see the justice dished out to you that you deserve for being such a snake! Get a life, nobody is supporting you or gives a shit anymore about your lies...gonna get ya soon!!! "
The only individuals that MIGHT know about any government agency looking into our identity would be MVRCS (as I'm sure the agencies are NOT contacting un-involved parents). That would be fine except for the immature tone and actual threat contained within the message. We're thinking yet another member of the MVRCS administration.
Yes, that's who I want educating my child! Keep showing your true colors!
Well, you folks lose more credibility every day. Since my name was brought up, let me address it directly and see if you are big enough to apologize for making a false accusation.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son Brendan was part of the first kindergarten class at MVRCS. The first year, 100% of those who wanted in got in. In fact, many many many backed out because they thought the school wouldn't last. So we took a chance and it worked out. We didn't get in, as you state, because we are friends with Neil Kinnon. In fact, I will offer you a $10,000 check, paid by me, if you can prove your allegation. Go for it.
Get your facts straight before posting baseless allegations. You look like a jackass in doing so.
We are making a public apology to Ron Hogan who has cleared up an error on our part regarding his children being accepted into MVRCS. We must admit that we do not know who everyone is and his name came to our attention as a result of his prior post. Apparently Mr. Hogan's oldest child was selected in the very first lottery where ALL children entered were admitted. Our apologies to Mr. Hogan for our mistake. We truly intend to only provide information that is accurate and true. Our apologies to our readers as well.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is, there are many more here who you have named and made accusation against that are equally as baseless, yet have gone unchecked because these folks didn't read the post or couldn't bother to respond. If you want to be credible in what you are trying to do, whether I agree with it or not, you really should be more responsible in what you post. I could similarly refute many other issues that are black and white, where you are wrong, but honestly, I don't have a dog in the hunt as they say so don't really care. But it doesn't make it any more ethical for you to be posting what you have posted.
ReplyDeletePlease think about it.
I'm a lifelong Malden resident and I would not send my children to the public schools. MVRCS is far and away the best choice if you care at all about education. My guess is that most of the "haters" here could care less about their childrens education.
ReplyDeleteRon -
ReplyDeleteWe have truly tried to avoid naming names unless we have some reliable source of information. With you unfortunately, we made an assumption and should have know better than to assume (and made an AS* of U and ME). Please know that we do try to verify most information and if (as in this case), we are informed otherwise, we correct the information as quickly as possible.
The real problem is that the big issues (i.e. lottery process and wait list's integrity being compromised, the schools refusal to follow conflict of interest laws, FOIA laws, and Open Meeting laws), are legitimate issues as a result of the schools actions. Also, because the school board and administration has managed to alienate so many parents and teachers, individuals are more than willing to throw their (typically) negative experiences into the mix of information we already have. You can't mistreat and abuse as many people as the folks @ MVRCS have without some repercussions.
We have tried to remain very ethical and honest in our attempt to initiate change at our school but MVRCS refuses to follow the laws that govern them.
To Bob, we are far from 'haters' and we care an incredible amount about ALL of our students/childrens education. Yes, maybe if you have to choose between some schools or districts and MVRCS, MVRCS is obvious choice but does that mean that the Board and Administration can do what they please? Are they holding parents who don't want to go back to their sending districts hostage - do it our way or leave. Why can't we choose MVRVS and want our school to do things according to the laws? We may have spoken out of turn on a few minor issues but the big issues remain and MUST be addressed. So Bob, we DO care but are NOT willing to allow the school to break laws out of fear or intimidation.
Back to Ron, as a friend of Neil Kinnon's we ask that you ask Mr. Kinnon to think about his decisions and actions against the laws, his character, and sense of self respect. We mean no harm to anyone, we truly just want the school to educate the students AND follow the laws that govern them.
I am not going to get into my thoughts on many of the issues you address, simply because I don't have enough info to speak to them, and as such, I am not qualified. By that I mean I do not have a child who has required SPED services, I have not attended a board meeting to see what goes on, etc.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I am 100% certain that you are barking up the wrong tree with the lottery accusations. The processed is handled by a local CPA firm, the principals of which I know personally and who are beyond reproach. They would, under any circumstance, put their firm at risk by not following the laws that govern the lottery. How else can you explain that the former school director, Dr. Biegler, had to wait 3 years to get his own kids into the school he ran? You may not like the rules that govern things like sibling preference, but the school has no choice but to follow them. Simply put, I believe there is not one single time that the school has not followed the lottery system to the T.
Ron,
ReplyDeleteWe hate to disappoint you but we know for a fact that the lottery and/or wait list process is not as pure as you would us to believe you imagine. We know for a fact that certain individuals have gained admittance as a result of a connection with Neil Kinnon. We also know that Chris Finn's nieces were re-admitted as were a family associated with Genetti. We also have some good connections within the school itself and they all know of multiple examples. If they weren't so scared of being fired and/or sued by the school, they would post on here themselves. Sorry to disappoint you.
Ron, I whole heartedly recommend that you persue this as a defamation case. These people need to be stopped in their tracks, this site is as good as the rags at a checkout counter. They have caused more grief to the current families and families looking to attend.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous @ 9:03PM
ReplyDeleteWe see our scripture quoting friend is back. Why do we need to be stopped, causing you and your friends & family clan too much grief? None of the current families or families looking to attend have been impacted (informed but not impacted) but it seems that maybe the Board & Administration might be.
Instead of trying to get us to stop, why not try to make the school follow the laws? Oh yeah, then you wouldn't have a gravy train to ride.
I know of a teacher who had a child admitted when he/she was hired. At the time, I thought that was the school policy. Since then and from reading this blog, I now know that it was wrong of the school to admit the child. I guess that's what the school has been doing all along. How can a parent on the waiting list have a clue to what's going on with the lottery. I don't question the CPA firm. It is the board/administration that shuffles the list around that I question.
ReplyDeleteWhat we have heard (stress heard, not witnessed) is that for the lottery drawing students that have been 'chosen' may not have their names called but are then added later, substituted for another name (real or made up, we're not sure). Of course if ANY of the students with the last names of any Board members or Administrators (or their relatives) were NOT called, people probably wouldn't be quite so suspicious.
ReplyDeleteThe actual lottery drawing aside, from what we are hearing (and again, hearing) is that the true manipulation comes with the wait list itself. We've heard of one family suing the school (or beginning legal actions) as a result of the handling of the wait list. When Pratt handled the wait list, a parent could call her and was given their childs exact number on the wait list. Of course now the administration claims that she didn't know what she was talking about when questioned on the discrepancies but she seemed to manage it better than who ever is handling it these days.
Please list any positive accomplishments or achievements that the creators and contributors of this blog have made to the school. We are curious to know what you have done to actually help the school in your quest to make it better before starting this blog.
ReplyDeleteMaybe make it so the nurses son could not be admitted. Now that is progress.
ReplyDeleteChallenge: for each negative or "truth seeking" post that you make, also post something positive about the school. It will give you more credibility and make it seem like you really are trying to improve things.
ReplyDeleteNice! Yet another family, and their CHILD, singled out and smeared on this site.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous @ 6:17 am:
ReplyDeleteWe can't list the many contributions or accomplishments we've made to the school without revealing too much information about ourselves but we have done much and tried to do much more. Remember, the school does not allow parents an incredible amount of involvement within the school. Yes, PTO & PAC are volunteer opportunities but how often do parents get to go into the actual classroom? You can't even walk your child to their class before the school day starts and now you can't go into the building after the school day. Parents go the board meetings and are mistreated, dismissed, and treated as 2nd class citizens. Try approaching the Administration or Board with an idea, suggestion, or comment (or heavens forbid a criticism), they don't listen. How many parents have tried to come up with alternative recess ideas before this year? How long have the students been delegated to small, concrete play areas without balls or toys? Then when they play tag, they get in trouble for 'tagging' each other or someone gets hurt. How hard did some parents have to fight to get PAC into the school? PAC, by the way is a state mandated program that keeps parents of Special Ed students informed. How about trying to schedule a great Special Ed Advocate speaker for an upcoming PAC meeting, bet it won't happen.
Many parents, us included, have tried to contribute more than just school supplies to the school community. If we didn't care, we wouldn't be doing this.
To Anonymous @ 8:56
ReplyDeleteGreat idea ~ maybe a positive post will be our next one! Thanks for the suggestion.
BTW - Ron Hogan has a great habit of typing Ron Hogan says -....maybe when posting under 'Anonymous' if we could make up an id to identify who is saying what...doesn't have to be your name like brave Ron Hogan has done!
Andrew25 -
ReplyDeleteYou're back! Sorry to have mentioned a name that allows a child to be identified. We'll try to make sure it doesn't happen because you are right, we don't want any child to suffer or be singled out. Good point.
No balls or toys at recess? Heaven forbid! No going away parties for students that leave the school? Scandelous! Keeping your hands to yourself and respecting others?? Shocking! Can't pop in and disturb a class any time you feel like it? Wow!
ReplyDeleteYou people would have never made it in Catholic school. This school is a piece of cake!
See the line we must draw - is tag a fun game that gets the kids moving and active or should the child be punished for not keeping their hands to themselves? Is playing tag disrespectful? Oh, it's much better for them to sit around the yard and bully each other. And, while we are talking about recess, how about putting up higher fences around those play areas? Didn't someone try to snatch a kid over the fence a few years back?
ReplyDeleteAs for going away parties, didn't say it had to be a party but at least let the kids make cards, say goodbye, something. How would your child feel if they were leaving the school and none of their friends said goodbye? They'd think no one cared about them - they're kids let's not forget!
As for popping and disturbing a class, not sure where you got that from.
This isn't about the school being a piece of cake, it's about the school doing the right, legal, ethical, things that all other schools are required to do.
To Anonymous @ 7:32AM
ReplyDelete"Maybe make it so the nurses son could not be admitted. Now that is progress."
?? Does the nurse have a son? Was he not chosen in the lottery or could he not go to the school because she doesn't live in one of the districts? Seems odd that somehow all the other teachers, Administrators, and Board Members kids got in and the nurses didn't? Hasn't she been there for years? She was probably on with the general population list, not the 'chosen' list. Too bad her son wasn't a niece or nephew to Finn, they all got in! Say goodbye to a great nurse, she'll be looking for another job soon.
As I've watched teachers and students come and go it has always amazed me that no one ever reported or sued the school for the way they have treated both the teachers and some of the students. After reading everything here, it seems like plenty try but no one wants to listen. Funny how the school knows that, must be from all the years of experience.
ReplyDeleteI personally know of several students whose parents claim to have had an 'in' with someone at the school. I've never known whether to believe them or not but I have 2 names of people claiming to have an in that I'm watching for this year. If they get in, that will be the determining factor for me.
You people always have a comeback or something to say to twist peoples words around. STOP, STOP calling people out by name! We can't call you by name why is OK for you to do other people!
ReplyDeleteAs my wise grandmother once said if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all!! We all know what your comeback will be, we are fighting for our children. Really this how you fight for our children, by bullying through a blog??
You do not have one nice thing to say about this school!!! This makes me think!
When you accomplish what you have set out to do and they shut down this school because of it, will you be pushing for the same things you are now and for the same level of education that is offered in this school at the district schools that you are forced into?
ReplyDeleteSo what are you saying October 19, 2010 11:47 AM? Let's all continue to be blind and don't open up our mouths by pretending that none of this is true? That is what parents have been doing for years, and that is why the school gets away with the unethical things that they do. No way! Enough is enough! Keep up this blog until someone of importance notices and takes actions! (We know that it won’t be the DESE, goodness forbid they do their job for once.) Maybe it will be their boss! And if they have any kind of compassion in them, they will only discipline the Board and the Administration by holding them accountable for once, and then bring in people who are pros and care about the children and will keep the school intact.
ReplyDeleteUnOfficial MVRCS, DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE BULLY YOU! YOU CAN GET RESULTS WHEN YOU FIGHT BACK!
To Anonymous @ 11:47 AM -
ReplyDeleteSo if we shut this blog down today and tomorrow one of Neil Kinnons backroom deals or his blatant disregard for the laws catches up with him and the school, would that be better? You don't think it'll ever catch up with him or the school? Think again. Whether it's us, a news station, a disgruntled employee, the parent of a LD child, or some other force, the school can not continue as it has without repercussions or their actions catching up to them.
Our hope is not to destroy the school but to save the school from the destructive practices it is currently guilty of. Blame us if it makes you feel better but remember we aren't the ones doing wrong, we're just trying to bring attention to it so that it STOPS.
Did anyone go to the Board Meeting last week? It wasn't published anywhere I could find but apparently Neil Kinnon was quite upset that the Administration implemented a change in the grading (homework is weighted more than in the past...? Did anyone get notified about the change?). Apparently they did not check with the dictator and he was NOT happy! Especially since it had implications for his children. Maybe now he knows how the rest of us feel about not being kept in the loop about things...LIKE THE MEETING LAST WEEK.
ReplyDeleteBTW, did ANYONE see it posted ANYWHERE? Isn't that another violation of the Open Meeting laws?
Did anyone else hear that Neil Kinnon exclaim that he didn't have to hold open meetings during one of the recent meetings? Apparently he didn't like the tone, comment, or discussion that was going on and said something to the effect that he 'didn't have to hold these meetings open to the public' or something to the effect. What is just going to start using Executive Sessions for everything and not just things he doesn't want anyone to know about?
ReplyDeleteCan you say, illegal!
Does he not know the laws that govern him or does he think he can get away with whatever he wants? Threatening parents, really? Reminds me of when I was the child, 'stop it now or no tv for a week'.
Yes, sir. Ok, sir. Anything you say sir. Sorry to challenge you sir. Please don't take away my open meeting sir....
October 19, 2010 7:46 PM
ReplyDelete"Does he think he can get away with whatever he wants?"
You answered your own question! Yes. Always has, always will. Who is going to stop him? The DESE? That's a joke.
Just to let you know that at MVRCS.com, under "About Us" and then under "Board of Trustees" there is this notice:
ReplyDeleteThere will be a meeting of the Building Committee of the Mystic Valley Board of Trustees on Wednesday, October 20th at 6:30 at 671 Salem Street, Malden. For the complete Notice click here.
I wasn't able to copy the complete notice written by the school's attorney and dated October 18, 2010.
Who is on the Building Committee? I didn't even know one existed! I guess the parents and taxpayers will have no say at this meeting since it seems it's not open to the public. Way to keep the communication open MV.
That's a new notice as earlier all it stated was that the board usually meets on the second Thursday of the month (and the notice is dated October 18th). The Building Committee must be something new - probably announced it during last weeks meeting that they kept hush-hush.
ReplyDeleteWhy should the parents or taxpayers have any say in this, they haven't had any say in anything! I would have to imagine that more parents would prefer a new location or building for the lower school take priority over an athletic facility. Maybe brother Kinnon wants to manage an athletic facility instead of a school facility....oh wait, that's right, he is just paid to manage it, not actually do any work there. Why change anything now?
Nope. The Building Committee has always been around. Mr. Finn used to sit on it, or head it up, I can't remember which one. It is a sub committee of the Board. Did you also know that there was a Finance committee? Mayor Howard's wife, Board Member, Fran Brown and Mr. Chiccuarelli used to sit on it. I don't if this is still around because they never made either of them public.
ReplyDeleteNow that you say it, in the Annual Reports (I think) they have various sub committees. I believe Mr. Giles was on the health one for example.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know how many UN-Konnected parents sit on these various sub committees? The parents that sit on the sub committees are probably the same ones that are invited to meet with the DESE during it's site visits for focus groups. Interesting how that works.
Does anyone know of anyone that has ever been invited to one of the DESE focus groups or interviews for the charter renewal? One would think that the DESE would have a more efficient way to ensure that the individuals chosen are unbiased and not cherry picked. I wonder if the DESE releases the names, bet it would be easy enough to match the names there with the names of staff members, friends, and family members.
I told you the exact date and time is posted on that page well before the meeting arrives. In Sept. it was about 2 weeks before the meeting and seemed to be the same in Oct.
ReplyDeleteLet me explain something to the anyone who thinks this school will be shut down by the bloggers. Let's just suspend reality for a minute and say all the claims on this site are proven 100% true. Then we'll add in that Neil Kinnon steals a million dollars before shooting his way out of town and disappears like Whitey Bulger. Now, as we continue down the yellow brick road, take a look around and see if you can find a single politician that would be willing to close a school with the success MVCRS has compared to our public schools. IT'S NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately all that will happen in the end is what is happening now but in reverse. The BLOGGERS names will begin to show up on the internet. Good luck when that starts!
Oh Andrew25(NK),you are so right! All of you politicians have each others back. You aren't telling us anything new here, you only confirm it. All of you lack ethics or class, which is why you are a politician.
ReplyDeleteAndrew -
ReplyDeleteWelcome back friend!~
As for the posting of the meeting time, funny how only you maybe 6 other people were able to find it.
As for your home video clip, we are so happy to hear that YOU don't think anything will happen to the school because that is exactly what we don't want to happen. We've said it before and we'll say it again, we hope no harm comes to the school, we just think it's time for the Dictator and his Merry Band to step down. He has done some great things for the school but it is not his, he does not own it, and he has allowed it all to go to his head. Again, we do not want the school to close, we just want CHANGE. Before the attacks come, not change of dress code, or the fundamentals, but change of leadership.
When the bloggers names start showing up on the internet (if they ever do), do you think it will all be bad or do you think that maybe some people may commend them for their efforts and for taking on the task of exposing the corruption and wrong doings of the people who are supposed to be educating children?
Anonymous @ 12:39AM
ReplyDeleteJust FYI, Andrew25 is NOT the dictator (aka Neil Kinnon) - he is just a fish. I know who he is but don't know his connection (or if he has one) to the dictator. I haven't been able to make the connection but imagine he must be somehow as he blindly loyal. Many parents with children in the lower grades want to believe in the school but Andrew has heard it all, knows A LOT, and seems to have an inside connection to information. His loyalty aside, he also gets REALLY angry when issues are exposed that show what is really going on. So, my guess is that while he isn't the dictator himself, he has a close connection to the dictator and a vested interest but not sure yet what it is.
But boy is he fun sparring with....Missed ya Andy!
Off topic but are any other parents concerned about the recent outbreaks in Malden, especially the last way being right on Laurel Street. I can't stop thinking about a stray bullet hitting a kid during recess. Yes, most of it has been at night (I believe) but too close to home for my liking.
ReplyDeleteI guess this is what happens when you spend money on a police commissioner instead of on the police needed to protect the city.