Our Information, Plus

 

We received some very negative responses to our last posting regarding the handling of both the lottery and waitlist at MVRCS. We noticed that while few took issue with the information we provided regarding the last lottery, many did take offense with the naming of individuals. We feel that our readers need to know that we do wrestle with idea of naming names and try to avoid doing so when possible. We do not wish to destroy anyone or cause harm to innocent individuals. The problem arises though when we have information to share that involves certain individuals. If we are too vague, we are accused of not being well informed. Alternatively if we name the individuals, we are accused of going too far. Additionally, we have to be sure that what we are posting does not put our sources in danger of being discovered or identified through specific information. Many times we have more specific information than we share but feel that it would jeopardize our position. It is a very fine line that we walk and we apologize if we have offended anyone.

A perfect example would be that of the re-admission of two of the Assistant Directors family members. When we were vague and just said that we knew it had happened, we were accused of not knowing what we were talking about. At the same time, when we did name the Assistant Director specifically (without mentioning the student’s names), others accused us of slander and libel. The fact is that the information is accurate and the incident did occur. We feel that as this is in violation of the laws that govern the school, that it should be addressed. If this were the only violation we were aware of we may not feel that it would be worth addressing. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

We have received an incredible amount of information from parents and teachers (both current and former) who have shared with us numerous documented examples of the school not following the laws that govern it. Initially this was dumb founding to us as we couldn’t imagine the school risking their charter by not following the laws. At first we thought that the Department of Education hadn’t been informed of their infractions. Unfortunately we found that many parents and teachers had contacted the Department of Education (we have copies of letters and emails). As we’ve commented before, we are disappointed in how the DOE has handled issues pertaining to MVRCS.

We must say that the laws make it difficult for parents and teachers to file complaints as they must first present the complaint to the Board. Many parents of MVRCS are hesitant to openly file a complaint with the Board out of fear of retaliation. It has recently been pointed out to us that the law reads “A parent, guardian, or other individuals or groups who believe that a charter school has violated or is violating any provision of M.G.L. c. 71, § 89, or 603 CMR 1.00 may file a complaint with the charter school's board of trustees.” This means that a parent does not need to identify themselves but could request an outsider to file the complaint. Additionally (and we feel even more important), the law states that “A parent, guardian, or other individuals or groups who believe that a charter school has violated or is violating any state or federal law or regulation regarding special education may file a complaint directly with the Department.” This means that should a parent have an issue pertaining to Special Education (which we think is a major concern at MVRCS), they no longer have to first present their issue to the Board of Trustees but can file their complaint directly with the Department of Education. For parents of Special Education learners, if your child is not receiving the services they are entitled to and/or your IEP meetings are not held according to law (including the timelines for receiving documents), then we suggest you file your complaint directly with the Department of Education.

They Won't Grow Up, No They'll Never Grow Up.....

We thought maybe, just maybe the opponents to this blog who have been bombarding us with comments that were immature, crude and demonstrated their lack of character would realize the errors of their ways and would have learned to control themselves. Unfortunately, that was not the case and they once again begain posting a massive amount of hate-filled and nasty comments. It is unfortunate that they refuse to acknowledge that their are any problems or issues that must be addressed but rather, see us as the issue and problem. As we expressed earlier, we have been able to determine that these individuals are either directly associated with the school (i.e. Administrators, Board Members, or employees) or are indirectly associated with them (i.e. family members, associates, or friends) as they made statements that only Rick Veilleux, Martin Gately, or Dr. McCleary would be able to make as a result of email communications they received.  While we would be remiss to actually name names or accuse an actual individual, we do know that regardless of who it is, the (2) individuals  are somehow connected to the school. We are embarrassed and ashamed not only of them but for them as well. We do question where these individuals were educated as their spelling was atrocious and hope that they are not MVRCS educated (although it would make sense if they received services under the schools Special Education department).

MVRCS Posts Meeting Agenda at www.cityofmalden.org

Correction: Our apologies, we apparently misunderstood a readers comments (see below) regarding the posting of the agenda for tomorrow evenings agenda. As you can see the reader makes mention of not having seen it there before, we mistook that to mean that the agenda was not normally posted but in hindsight it appears the person posting the comment was equally unclear as to what is typically done regarding the agenda. It seems that it may actually be a case of the agenda being posted on their attorneys letterhead for the first time? We are unsure but according to readers comment, the agenda is typically posted as required by law. Our apologies for the mistaken information as it was not done intentionally but in error. Please forgive us and thank you both the poster who informed us of the posted Agenda and the poster who corrected our information. You are both appreciated as we couldn't do this without you.

"There is a board meeting Wednesday night at 7pm. If you go to the city website: www.cityofmalden.com and click on the left for the meetings you can get a detailed agenda for that night-something I have never seen posted there before. It is interesting what they plan to discuss in Executive Session. They must be running really scared to post this!'

September 13, 2010 4:56 PM

Our always well informed Andrew25 was kind enough to give us a heads up (although the above post is not his but as usual, he knows these things before anyone else) regarding MVRCS first attempt at following the laws regarding the 'Open Meeting' laws. The agenda can be found at www.cityofmalden.org under the 'Meetings' tab on the left (I believe). While we have been slotted for discussion during the 'Executive Session' (see below for the laws governing the Board entering into Executive Session), make note that 'Transportation' has also been identified as a subject matter. According to our sources, the transportation laws require MVRCS to provide transportation for students who reside 2 driven (not linear as the school has been doing) miles from the school. One would expect that this information will be transmitted to the public but we will see on Wednesday evening.

While a few of you continue to question our insistence on remaining anonymous, MVRCS has provided us with support for our decision. For the first time (to our knowledge) MVRCS has submitted an agenda for the Board Meeting that will be held Wednesday, September 15, 2009. In that agenda they have identified their intent to seek legal counsel regarding this site and their allegations of slander and libel against the creators of this blog. While no person, business, or organization wants to see negative information being written about them, this is as perfect of an example that one could ask for to support our belief that the Board and Administration are not open to criticisms or questions regarding their actions. Their attempt at bullying or intimidating us will not work.

We also feel the need to draw your attention to the irony of this matter as they have clearly been in violation of a number of laws it is humorous to us that they would threaten legal action against others. Furthermore, in many ways we would welcome their bringing legal action against us as by doing so they would be required under discovery laws to allow our attorneys access to all forms of communication and documentations related to our allegations against them. Under libel and slander laws, they would be required to prove our statements were not only false but written with malice or ill will against them and/or the school and that they suffered as a result. As we have written repeatedly, we mean no harm to the school but rather are attempting to preserve it and hold them accountable under to the laws that govern them. Unfortunately, the schools ethical integrity was already in question before the creation of this blog and can be well documented and spoken to.

As a final point to this discussion we draw from the U.S. Constitution, specifically the First Amendment and the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition for a governmental redress of grievances (i.e. the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one's government without fear of punishment or reprisals).


From: http://www.doe.mass.edu/charter/governance/adminguide.pdf

Minutes must be taken and votes recorded through roll call votes during executive session. Records remain secret only so long as publication may defeat the lawful purposes of the executive session. G.L. c. 30A, § 11A½(7).
Under G.L. 30A, § 11A½, Boards may hold executive sessions only in seven limited situations, including:

1. To discuss the “reputation, character, physical condition or mental health rather than the professional competence” of a particular individual.
2. To consider the discipline or dismissal of an employee, or to hear complaints or charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual.

NOTE: If the Board is meeting in executive session under either of these two prior exceptions, the individual in question is afforded certain rights, including the right to have notice of the meeting, the right to be present, the right to have counsel attend, and the right to speak on his/her own behalf.

3. To discuss strategy relating to litigation or collective bargaining.
4. To discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices.
5. To investigate charges of criminal misconduct or to discuss the filing of criminal complaints.
6. To consider the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property, if an open discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the governmental body with a person, firm, or corporation.
7. To comply with the provisions of any general or special law or federal grant-in-aid requirements.

Consequences
If a Board of Trustees does not comply with the Open Meeting Law, it may face a variety of sanctions. Three or more registered voters, as well as the Attorney General or the District Attorney may bring suit to enforce the Open Meeting Law by filing a complaint in the Superior Court or the Supreme Judicial Court alleging a violation of the Law by any governmental body. The court may then enter an order requiring that the board be in compliance with the Open Meeting law in the future, invalidating any action taken at any meeting in which the Law has been violated, and/or requiring that the records of the meeting be made public, in addition to any other remedy available under the law.

UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUE:

Although unable to reach the appropriate person (he is out of the office today and tommorrow), we have been informed that although the school is reimbursed by the state for transportation as they are a 'regional' charter school, they are also allowed under the laws to charge a transportation fee. 




As for the transportation issue, we direct you to this site http://www.doe.mass.edu/charter/governance/adminguide.pdf page 43. We have not verified what exactly this means but MVRCS is a 'Regional' charter school...Does this mean that they are charging parents AND being reimbursed by the state? Looking into this as we are unsure.

Regional Transportation Reimbursement
In accordance with G.L. c. 71, § 89(ff), a regional charter school is reimbursed for transportation costs incurred in transporting students who reside outside of the school’s local school district and in the charter school’s region as specified in its charter.  To be eligible for reimbursement through the state regional transportation reimbursement program, a charter school must:
1.
be designated a regional charter school by the Board of Education; and
2.
have a charter that provides for the transportation of all students who reside in the charter school’s designated region but outside the district in which the charter school is located.
The reporting mechanism for reimbursement under this program is identical to that used for reimbursement for within-district transportation. No reimbursement is available for a charter school that provides transportation for students residing outside of its designated region.
EXAMPLE
A charter school transports children living outside the local school district but within the region specified in its charter. After the end of the school year, the school will complete a report provided by the Department to document the costs associated with their regional transportation program. The Department will reimburse those costs, subject to appropriation, in the next academic school year.
40
Full details about transportation obligations and reimbursement programs can be found in Charter School Technical Advisory 07-2: Transportation, available online at http://www.doe.mass.edu/charter/tech_advisory/07_2.html. Charter schools may also contact the Coordinator of Research and Finance in the Charter School Office for