tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post4200167712386637579..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Schools & Transparency: Mutually ExclusiveLarry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-86482734576748432812014-02-16T18:34:27.362-05:002014-02-16T18:34:27.362-05:00I imagine that perhaps an option (the only option?...I imagine that perhaps an option (the only option?) for the district to "get rid of" poor teachers that have tenure is to offer them a payoff to leave 'voluntarily'. I can't imagine that (many) tenured teachers would just leave behind their vested years (senority) in the district to start all over again from zero in another district without being offered an incentive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-25523503585922729882014-02-15T07:47:05.490-05:002014-02-15T07:47:05.490-05:00I'm guessing that the majority of those payout...I'm guessing that the majority of those payouts are for accumulated vacation, personal, and comp time. I do not know why public employees would get severance pay unless it is in a contract.<br /><br />And, btw, I cannot believe Larry is making any money. Look at the gas he uses getting us those nifty pictures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-72812788239507293402014-02-14T14:45:22.277-05:002014-02-14T14:45:22.277-05:00Never knew someone got paid for this blog. I was b...Never knew someone got paid for this blog. I was beginning to wonder why this blog is supported with such negative fuel but if someone is profiting, then I guess that is self explanatory. Uhm...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-78349767809856739812014-02-14T13:31:16.328-05:002014-02-14T13:31:16.328-05:00Yes. There is a donation button over on the right...Yes. There is a donation button over on the right of the main page, but I should probably make it a lot bigger.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-25927514885217881622014-02-14T13:14:00.346-05:002014-02-14T13:14:00.346-05:00Larry,
If you are willing to do the leg work and ...Larry,<br /><br />If you are willing to do the leg work and need some donations to get the thing filed just say so. I'm willing to pitch in. I'll send you an email if you say yes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-65996876392938771332014-02-14T13:08:41.342-05:002014-02-14T13:08:41.342-05:00Why doesn't the district just follow the law? ...Why doesn't the district just follow the law? How hard is that? Or wait, maybe that's why there are so many payouts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-51053573880290685782014-02-14T10:48:25.616-05:002014-02-14T10:48:25.616-05:00Not yet.
I patterned my request on the one the ...Not yet. <br /><br />I patterned my request on the one the Boston Globe used and a Judge did recently find in favor of the Globe and issued an order for state agencies to release the names as well as amounts.<br /><br />I will bring this particular case to Hampshire Superior Court, and I hope I get Judge Mary Lou Rup who already decided another case identical to this one (payout to Phoebe Prince family that South Hadley was trying to keep buried).<br /><br />Only thing that has been holding me back is there's a $240 filing fee, but now I'm pissed. Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-62560833871432141712014-02-14T10:34:36.146-05:002014-02-14T10:34:36.146-05:00Larry,
Was a court order issued to release the na...Larry,<br /><br />Was a court order issued to release the names or an opinion rendered by the judge?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-31400001022133623872014-02-14T04:29:08.478-05:002014-02-14T04:29:08.478-05:00Really? How do you know that the previous number w...<i>Really? How do you know that the previous number was not unusually low? How many buyouts did Northampton or Springfield have? What is the average for a school system this size?</i><br /><br />My understanding is that buyouts are like Nulle Prosques in criminal law -- not very common. Almost inevitably, it's where you know you are going to loose a lawsuit because you Effed up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-19897123370464918652014-02-13T20:53:41.338-05:002014-02-13T20:53:41.338-05:00Not enough. Not nearly enough.Not enough. Not nearly enough.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-87361427654121647492014-02-13T20:34:29.827-05:002014-02-13T20:34:29.827-05:00Hey this site is just like that kid's anonymou...Hey this site is just like that kid's anonymous facebook page except that Larry Kelly makes money off it. Will Larry Kelly disclose how much he makes from the ads on this site?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-80904614638507948192014-02-13T16:31:41.145-05:002014-02-13T16:31:41.145-05:00So far the most interesting part of this story is ...So far the most interesting part of this story is the lengths the Schools will go to defy the direct order of the State's top Public Documents official. And a court Judge who agreed.<br /><br />Of course once I get all the names the story could get far more interesting.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-6884328313599413502014-02-13T16:24:25.520-05:002014-02-13T16:24:25.520-05:00You're the reporter. You are putting these num...You're the reporter. You are putting these numbers out there because you think they are atypical for a school system of this size. Do you have any evidence of that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-84502284778857575232014-02-13T15:25:39.149-05:002014-02-13T15:25:39.149-05:00If you think you can do a better job, feel free.
...If you think you can do a better job, feel free.<br /><br />Tis better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-70204763551254977682014-02-13T15:01:51.081-05:002014-02-13T15:01:51.081-05:00Anon 1:16 is right that these numbers scream out f...Anon 1:16 is right that these numbers scream out for context, which is probably beyond what is humanly possible for our reporter. We'd all like to know what happens in similar school systems, like Northampton or Longmeadow or Wilbraham. <br /><br />But, hey, it does look like we're spending a lot of money here.<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-61143536643474569712014-02-13T13:16:24.800-05:002014-02-13T13:16:24.800-05:00"One specific that comes to mind is the high ..."One specific that comes to mind is the high number of buyouts. That is unusual"<br /><br />Really? How do you know that the previous number was not unusually low? How many buyouts did Northampton or Springfield have? What is the average for a school system this size?<br /><br />Please deal with facts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-39218251338227118772014-02-13T13:15:16.984-05:002014-02-13T13:15:16.984-05:00Guess if you really want to know, get your license...<i>Guess if you really want to know, get your license and apply for a job within the schools.</i><br /><br />No thank you. I've got my license -- actually several "endorsements" but you couldn't pay me enough to work there. I know better...Dr. Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-70299911510113901632014-02-13T13:14:50.151-05:002014-02-13T13:14:50.151-05:00Guess if you really want to know, get your license...<i>Guess if you really want to know, get your license and apply for a job within the schools.</i><br /><br />No thank you. I've got my license -- actually several "endorsements" but you couldn't pay me enough to work there. I know better...Dr. Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-59763018433428163862014-02-13T12:30:24.190-05:002014-02-13T12:30:24.190-05:00It is most unfortunate to read these subjective as...It is most unfortunate to read these subjective assessments of the superintendent and the schools. Please use data to support your conclusions so they will hold more weigh. In terms of payouts, there must be reasons behind them and I, for one, hope they are based upon what is in the best interest of our schools and our children. Without knowing the true personnel reason as to why, it is grossly unfair to make any type of assessment. Guess if you really want to know, get your license and apply for a job within the schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-89735315337502322502014-02-13T11:12:35.413-05:002014-02-13T11:12:35.413-05:00"criminal activity"
Please cite example..."criminal activity"<br /><br />Please cite examples. Criminal activity refers crimes. Exactly what crimes are being committed?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-18117096128910394642014-02-13T10:49:48.812-05:002014-02-13T10:49:48.812-05:00Criminal, especially when other departments in the...Criminal, especially when other departments in the town (DPW, FD, PD) are in need and repeatedly shunned by town officials when they ask for help. Here there is criminal activity and no one in the town hall cares...sad. Larry, keep with this story, it will be interesting to see where it leads.. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-30906101159481353732014-02-13T10:22:59.072-05:002014-02-13T10:22:59.072-05:00One specific that comes to mind is the high number...One specific that comes to mind is the high number of buyouts. That is unusual,.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-52066642887970746372014-02-13T10:08:07.474-05:002014-02-13T10:08:07.474-05:00I was told recently by a reporter at the Gazette t...I was told recently by a reporter at the Gazette that the paper is downsizing its permanent staff and hiring freelancers for most of the "reporting", which is why nobody in the local MSM is carrying the story.<br /><br />Kudos to Larry for keeping it realAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-39704146511609882462014-02-13T08:17:31.586-05:002014-02-13T08:17:31.586-05:00Walter,
I want a list of specifics. Your emails a...Walter,<br /><br />I want a list of specifics. Your emails are filled words like atrocity and horrible, but you present not one piece of evidence. Give me a list or pipe down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-81457344614103877352014-02-13T07:26:32.332-05:002014-02-13T07:26:32.332-05:00I think maybe you should send this story to a prom...I think maybe you should send this story to a prominent paper? Always a slow news month.<br /><br />Supposed "bad data" in the marijuana applications ended up on the Globe front page. Controversial pay in a notable region you'd get some attention pretty quickly.Marquis Hunthttp://webtechads.comnoreply@blogger.com