So Much Going On @ Good 'Ol MVRCS!

We're not sure whether we should start off with the McCleary issue or the nightmare incoming Kindergartner parents are going to be dealing with....decisions, decisions, decisions!

The entire fiasco regarding Dr. McCleary has us simultaneously befuddled and outraged. We are befuddled as we KNOW that there is more to this story than Dr. McCleary deciding to take a PAID sabbatical with such short notice and then not returning. Isn't a sabbatical usually granted to individuals with the expectation that the individual will return to their position??? In any event, we've included the wiki definition of a sabbatical below.  Even as we speculate as to the terminology that Dr. McCleary and MVRCS have agreed to use, we all know that this is just yet ANOTHER person to fall under the ax of Dictator Kinnon. We have to imagine that either: 1. McCleary tired of being used for his credentials (without the authority or responsibility that accompanies it); 2. FINALLY took issue with having to sign his name to the numerous shenanigans, statements (lies), documents, etc. that he was constantly having to do; or 3. McCleary did something that so angered Kinnon that he wasn't given a choice in the matter. Unfortunately, we're more inclined to believe that it is option number 3 and that while he wasn't given a choice in the matter, he IS being paid for the 'sabbatical' as hush money (again, at the expense of the students as not only are those funds not being effectively used but the school will be without ANY individual who is qualified to run the school). We're sure that McCleary could destroy Kinnon and the school with all that he has been privy to during his time there. It has always been surprising to us that McCleary allowed some of the things that have occurred to occur under his name as he is obviously a very moral, ethical, and righteous individual. While Dr. McCleary was not the strong presence within the school that one would expect of a Director, it never appeared as though he had much say in the matter. Even though the Charter School Laws and Regulations are very clear that the Board NOT have control or oversight into the day to day operations of the school, Kinnon has managed to wrangle almost complete control. Unfortunately for the students and MVRCS community, Dr. McCleary (the only individual on the Board or Administrative Team that has the experience, background, and credentials in education) was not permitted nor encouraged to make decisions or run the school in the manner he saw fit but was instead forced to follow the directions, demands, and practices of Neil Kinnon. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

In recent times, "sabbatical" has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual in order to achieve something. In the modern sense, one takes sabbatical typically to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or traveling extensively for research.

In the United States, academic sabbaticals are typically granted by an academic dean only if the faculty member who applies is qualified in terms of consistently high job performance, has demonstrated success in previous research, and possesses a well-conceived, well-planned, and promising research proposal that requires sustained effort. Sabbaticals are not granted automatically and usually are not even scheduled automatically. Provided the faculty applicant is first granted academic tenure (this may not hold true at all institutions), the opportunity to qualify for one's first sabbatical usually comes only after an initial waiting period the length of which may vary. Thereafter, the opportunity to qualify for sabbatical typically follows at seven-year intervals of full-time employment. The most common arrangement is for a half-year at full pay, or a full year at half pay.

Ok, the other typical of MVRCS fiasco is that of the situation that our incoming kindergarten students and family face. They are going to be at the new Athletic center (named of course after Sir Dictator Kinnon), no, no, no, THAT building isn't going to be done in time. SO, let's add a little more stress to the lives of these poor, scared, anxious students - they'll start at the main campus and then, when the other building is done (even if it isn't COMPLETELY done but close enough), they'll be shipped over to the Athletic center. The timing should be PERFECT - they should JUST be adjusting to their new school and routine and now BOOM, yet another change! Oh, and did anyone mention that now instead of 5 Kindergarden classes and 4 1st grade classes, the school has (apparently) decided to add an additional class to each grade level. Yeah, remember that obnoxious ad the school took out last year against Malden schools and the possibility of them increasing their enrollment size, they apparently did it. We'll be VERY curious to see how crowded the first few months of school are at good 'ol MVRCS, as if they weren't packed in there like packed sardines already! Oh, don't we all LOVE the way MVRCS handles things....just another example of their inability to effectively and soundly manage the operations of the school. 
In closing, we can't WAIT to see how the transportation plays out for all of this. After the fiasco last year with first charging and then refunding transportation costs, it is no wonder they are no longer charging for transportation. BTW, per the DESEMVRCS! 

FINALLY ~ A Reply from Jeff Wulfson, Associate Commissioner, DESE

We FINALLY received a reply from our numerous emails to Jeff Wulfson, the Association Commissioner at the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. Mr. Wulfson, while failing to actually provide the clarification of the schools transportation as we requested, did state that if he were provided with an actual complaint, the DESE would be willing to intervene to ensure the law is being followed. Although we appreciate his offer to intervene with an actual complaint, it is disturbing that he to is unable or unwilling to state the schools actual policy. Reading between the lines, if any parent dares to file a complaint, then and only then, will we address the issue. It is equally disturbing that he does not take issue with the fact that the school has repeatedly ignored our request for written clarification and question why that is. It is usually those who are attempting to hide something that are unwilling to provide the information requested.
On the upside, we are pleased that we have actually heard from Mr. Wulfson and have included a copy of his letter. We have inserted comments at various points and to assist in distinguishing between the two, have done so in red text.


From Mr. Wulfson:

I am writing in response to your recent emails, requesting clarification regarding the state’s role in overseeing the operation of Commonwealth charter schools in general and the Mystic Valley Charter Public School (MVCPS) in particular.

There are two types of oversight that the Commonwealth has with respect to charter schools. The first type of oversight is to respond to specific individual complaints in which the school is alleged to have violated a law, regulation, or other governing policy. The second type is the more general oversight that the Department (DESE) and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) have as the charter school authorizer in Massachusetts.  These two types of oversight are discussed below in more detail.

Specific Complaints

As we have noted before, the first type of oversight provided by the Commonwealth is shared among a number of state agencies, depending upon the particular subject matter. For example, concerns regarding the open meeting law or the construction bidding statutes are the responsibility of the Office of the Attorney General, the public records law is overseen by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and the State Ethics Commission oversees the conflict of interest laws.

This Department has a number of separate offices that share in this oversight responsibility. Issues involving special education services, accessibility, or other matters relating to student welfare are reviewed by our Program Quality Assurance unit and complaints regarding student transportation are handled by our School Business Services office. Complaints alleging that a charter school has failed to comply with a specific provision of the charter school statute or regulations are handled by the Charter School Office. To the extent that a complaint alleges a violation of the charter school statute or regulations, the complainant must present that complaint to the school’s board of trustees prior to filing a complaint with the Charter School Office.  See 603 CMR 1.10.

In all of the above areas, the oversight agencies require some degree of specificity as to the allegation in question in order to properly investigate and obtain a response from the school. While some parents may be reluctant to be identified as the source of a complaint for fear of reprisal, as a practical matter, anonymous emails or postings on blogs and websites that contain only vague assertions are difficult at best for us to investigate. To cite one example, you have alleged that MVCPS is not meeting its responsibilities to provide bus transportation for students living more than two miles from school. If we had a specific complaint from a parent, with information as to where the student lives and where he or she attends school, we could verify the grade level of the student and the distances and then intervene with the school to ensure that it is meeting its responsibilities. 

Unfortunately, a number of us have contacted various departments within the DESE (specifically Jeff K.) to no avail. Also, how many times must the DESE be told that the Board of Trustees at MVRCS refuse to address complaints in a professional, fair, and without repercussions (as we're sure Annie O. can attest to, as one example). 

Also, between the information listed here AND the payroll information provided by the Boston Globe, how much more specific information is required before the DESE is willing to look into various conflicts of issues, code of conduct violations, open meeting laws, and the like. We did notice that Mr. Wulfson failed to address the issue as to whether his agency has filed and followed up on the Open Meeting and Executive Session Meeting violations that has been documented.

Oversight as Authorizer

Our second level of oversight relates to our role as the charter authorizer for Massachusetts. The overall performance of every charter school is reviewed every five years; and the BESE makes a decision on whether or not to renew the charter based on the school’s academic performance, organizational viability, and faithfulness to the terms of its charter. A school’s track record in complying with state and federal requirements and in responding appropriately to parent inquiries are two of many factors considered in making a renewal decision. The charter for MVCPS expires in June 2013 and the renewal inspection and decision probably will take place in the 2012-13 school year. During the course of that review, parents and other interested parties will have the opportunity to provide comments to us on the school’s performance.

It is unfortunate that the DESE has taken the position that it will not look into the reported allegations that have been made against the school until the 2012-2013 school year. So much for the students who are not selected for entry into the school as a result of a rigged lottery, or the students who are not receiving the services they require because Neil Kinnon refuses to address his sister-in-laws failure to comply with NCLB laws and the oversight and management of the Special Education Department.

In regards to the comment regarding "parents and other interested parties will have the opportunity to provide comments to us on the school's performance." Oh, he must mean the parents that the school hand selects to attend those meetings, the parents who don't have complaints or who won't speak up against the school. Yes, the same parents who have been invited in the past, and obviously NOT the likes of our friend Annie O. (who we must apologize to for constantly dragging her name back into this) or the other parents who were encouraged to leave the school (you know, those children who weren't expelled but were in danger of being retained). May we suggest now that any and all parents who would like to be heard during the next review write to Mr. Wulfson NOW and ask to be either included in the group meeting or to meet with him individually.

General Queries

You have asked how to request a financial audit of MVCPS. As you may already know, every charter school is required to have an annual independent audit conducted by a certified public accountant. These audit reports are published as part of each school’s annual report and are available to the public. In extraordinary circumstances where fraud or misappropriation of funds is suspected, the State Auditor does have authority to conduct additional financial investigations. Suggestions that expenditures in certain areas are “excessive,” however, generally do not rise to that level of concern. Both school committees and boards of trustees are given broad discretion in determining the appropriate expenditures for the operation of their respective schools.

 Extraordinary circumstances wouldn't be the overpayment of 'Kinnected' individuals and/or those individuals who are paid more than most of our teachers yet show up for about an hour a day (if that)? We would be willing to bet that the school is aware of what would get the attention of the State Auditor and makes sure that those 'expenditures' do not show up on their annual reports. We'd be interested in knowing how much attention and detail (i.e. receipts, overview) is required in the filing of these reports. Mr. Wulfson makes mention of having an CPA conduct an independent audit and we question who the actual CPA is who conducts these audits. One would hope that they must be required to be unassociated and unbiased int their review of financial records.

You have also raised a question regarding the lack of term limits for the trustees on the MVCPS board. DESE recommends that charter school by-laws include such limits, and we require newly chartered schools to include such a provision. We have discussions ongoing with the MVCPS board regarding adding such a provision to their by-laws. Those discussions continue and we continue to urge the school to adopt term limits for its trustees.

But again, other charter schools have had their charter renewal contingent upon, among other things, incorporating term limits into their by-laws. And again we question why MVRCS has not had the same contingency placed upon them. Also, why do the trustees at MVRCS feel that they do not have to answer to the DESE? If new charter schools are required to do so, then so should MVRCS. Oh, that's right, we are dealing with Mr. Neil Kinnon who stated (as seen in our 'Did They Really Say That' column) "The quickest way to be not true to the charter is to not have continuity. Since superintendents come and go, where do you get continuity? You’re able to get that through a long-serving board that has full understanding of the charter. This is what I have told the DOE every year they’ve come in and questioned it.’’ As we stated there, again, Really? Is overpaying and creating jobs for friends, family members and associates staying true to the charter? Is rigging the lottery and ignoring NCLB laws staying true to the charter? Is putting an athletic facility before the logistic and academic needs of students who have outgrown the lower school facility? What about not retaining teachers but only retaining those who are overpaid and underworked as a result of their association with you? Yeah, none of THAT matters!

Finally, I must tell you how personally disturbing it was to read your group’s recent correspondence to Governor Patrick in which you suggest that there might be “pure corruption” here in the Department. My colleagues and I take our responsibilities as public employees very seriously. Such allegations were made not only without any shred of evidence but were inappropriate and unnecessary. 

We apologize that you find the actions of parents attempting to ensure laws are being followed as disturbing. We too are disturbed at many things that have and continue to be allowed to happen. We do not feel as though they were made without adequate evidence (specifically other charter schools being held to very different standards and expectations), nor inappropriate and unnecessary. We have written to you on a number of different occasions going back to October 7 and this is the first response we have received. Not to mention that the transportation issue has still NOT been clarified by either you or MVRCS. 

I trust that this provides you with the more detailed information that you were seeking.  Again, should you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Jeff Wulfson

Associate Commissioner

Transportation Update.....Sorry, Don't Have One!

We've been emailing Rick Veilleux trying to clarify the transportation issue, specifically related to the HS students who live within 2 miles of the lower school but more than 2 miles from the HS. He has yet to respond to us and we have to question if this is in fact because the school realizes that they are not in compliance with the law by using 770 Salem Street as a hub and denying transportation to the 'hub' for HS students who are within the 2 miles. Even sadder to us is the fact that we've included Associated Commissioner Jeff Wulfson in all of our emails AND emailed him independently to ask for his assistance in ensuring that the school is following the laws, yet have not heard back from him. We truly hope that he is working with the school to ensure they are following the laws governing transportation policies but are left to believe otherwise as a result of his silence and inaction. It is unfortunate that not only has the school initiated (and still as far as we are aware) is following a policy that is not in compliance with the law, but that the DESE after having been advised and included in our attempts, has failed to enforce the regulations that the school is bound by. Of course, we could be totally mistaken and the situation has been resolved but we wouldn't know as neither party has responded to our request for clarification. Not to worry as we will continue to seek clarification!

FYI -
 This was the response from Mr. Wulfson regarding our initial inquiry and dated October 7:

Transportation distances are measured from the student’s home to the school that the student is attending. The school may, but is not required, to provide transportation to students living under 2 miles.

Updates & We're Seeking Information.....

We have confirmed with Jeff Wulfson, Associate Commissioner at the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, that when calculating the distance between a students home and school, the school can not use a 'hub' location of 770 Salem Street but must use the facility address of where the student attends school. Per an email received by Mr. Wulfson he stated that 'transportation distances are measured from the student’s home to the school that the student is attending'. Therefore, if you have a HS student who lives within 2 miles of the 770 Salem Street facility but more than 2 miles from the HS, they are now eligible for transportation from a bus stop within 1 mile of your home. We did not confirm that the charge should only be 200.00 and that these families should NOT be charged an additional 100.00 for transportation between facilities but if anyone encounters that situation, please let us know and we will confirm whether it is permissible. We find it so unfortunate that the Administration at MVRCS can not be trusted to simply follow the laws and the spirit of the laws without attempting to wiggle out of their responsibility. This lends itself to the purpose, and need of this blog as the Administration has shown repeatedly just how sleazy they can be. We have heard one parent compare them to snakes.

As the lottery is quickly approaching (it will be held on Tuesday, November 23) we are working feverishly to ensure that it is conducted according to the laws this year and that the rigging that has allegedly occurred in the past, does not happen.

Transportation Issues and the DESE

We wrote the following email to Jay Sullivan at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s business services division. As an employee of the DESE responsible for the oversight and accountability of our schools, we were quite surprised to receive an email from him (to which he cc’d the majority of individuals and departments we had in our original) refusing to address any more of our questions until we revealed our identity. As it should not matter to the DESE who they are releasing public knowledge to, it appears as though Mr. Sullivan has taken on the agenda (and ultimately approving) of the school. We find this not only disturbing but incredibly upsetting as we had believed that the DESE existed to set policies and procedures, ensure compliance, and as a resource for parents with concerns. Apparently this is not the case and the DESE is working for the schools, NOT the taxpayers and citizens of our state.

The following email has now been sent to the following individuals a second time:

Update From DESE REgarding Transportation

We have confirmed with Mr. Jay Sullivan from the DESE that MVRCS has been informed that they must use mileage (and not linear distance) to determine if a student qualifies for the bus. Students who live 2 miles from the school are eligible for bus service. As Mr. Sullivan stated, the distance is determined using the most common route between the two locations and he suggested using a map or driving direction service such as Mapquest.com to determine actual mileage. Linear mileage is NOT valid as buses do not fly so that can not be used. Should you still encounter issues with Mr. Veilleux or MVRCS, you may contact Jay Sullivan directly at 781-338-6594. The charge of 200.00 per student has not been changed.

Transportation Issue per DESE

In light of the on-going discussion and debate concerning the bus issues at MVRCS, we reached out to Jay Sullivan who handles transportation and reimbursement issues at the DESE. He did in fact acknowledge that MVRCS has been notified that they must provide transportation to any student who lives 2.0 miles from school. According to Mr. Sullivan, since buses do not fly, MVRCs can not determine a students eligibility for busing based on linear mileage. He suggested using Mapqest (mapquest.com) to determine the most 'common route' (and therefore mileage) to school. The unfortunate part is that although Mr. Sullivan was informed that no announcement was made on the part of the school, according to the rules or laws of the DESE, they are not required to do so. Even more unfortunately, the Mr. Sullivan was not concerned about the schools unwillingness to rectify or properly inform parents since being informed of their mistake. He did however suggest that parents who have have not had their transportation issue rectified, contact the school (specifically Rick Veilleux at either 781-324-1875 or 978-667-0109 or you can email him at rveilleux@mvrcs.org).
If you are still unable to rectify the situation with Mr. Veilleux, then Mr. Jay Sullivan should be contacted @ 781-338-6594).