I support Dr. Starr and do believe that beginning a discussion around a contract extension is a prudent and advisable course of action at this time. I believe that if you look at his overall accomplishments over the past 5 years, we are in a better position than where we were prior to his arrival. The best thing we can do for our children is to establish consistency in the schools and that starts at the top with the superintendent.
On the flip side, by simply opening this discussion and starting to negotiate does not mean that an extension should be a foregone conclusion. There are many points which will need to be negotiated to determine if an extension is fiscally responsible or in the best interest of Stamford children and the school district. We won't know until everyone is at the table and ready to talk.
If the BoE chooses not to open negotiations at this time there is no reason to discuss a new search now or in the near future as there have been no egregious issues which should lead us to move in another direction. The search process would be an ill-advised use of tax payer money now, when we have a person who is interested in staying and is following the initiatives and direction set forth by the Board of Education.
Jeff Herz
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Letter to the Board of Education - Dr. Starr's Contract
Dear Board of Education Members,
I would like to let you know that I support Dr. Starr and do believe that beginning a discussion around a contract extension is a prudent and advisable course of action at this time. I believe that if you look at his overall accomplishments over the past 5 years, we are in a better position than where we were prior to his arrival. The best thing we can do for our children is to establish consistency in the schools and that starts at the top with the superintendent. Even if you choose not to renegotiate the contract now, there have been, in my opinion, no egregious issues that would cause us to begin a new search now or in the near future. This entire process would be an ill-advised use of tax payer money, when we have a person who is interested in staying and is seemingly following the initiatives set forth by yourselves on the Board of Education.
On the flip side, by simply opening this discussion and starting to negotiate does not mean that an extension should be a foregone conclusion. Any discussions of an extension must include a performance based compensation that is tied directly to improvements in the districts performance across the board and metrics put in place by the Board of Education. Although we have made great strides over the past few years in consolidated curriculum's, improving teaching standards there is still much work which needs to be done before we have reached our potential and Dr. Starr needs to be at the front of these initiatives.
If one of the negotiating points involves Dr. Starr moving to Stamford and enrolling his children in our schools then all the better, since that sends a message to the community about the superintendent's commitment to the schools. If he feels strongly enough to move his family here, then that shows he is committed to Stamford and to its school. I would also ask in the negotiations, if that is the path you choose to pursue, that there are some form of penalties or remunerations if he is to apply to another school district during the term of the revised contract. This needs to be a two way street, and we cannot have him leaving mid-way through his contract.
Finally, this is not and should not be a political issue. This is about our children and what is right for them. This is about our city and what is right for our future. The superintendent works for you, the members of the Board of Education. If you set the goals and agenda then measure his accomplishments and performance against the goals then it is clear if Dr. Starr is doing what is necessary to prepare our children, my children for the 21st century or not.
Thank you for your time,
Jeff Herz
I would like to let you know that I support Dr. Starr and do believe that beginning a discussion around a contract extension is a prudent and advisable course of action at this time. I believe that if you look at his overall accomplishments over the past 5 years, we are in a better position than where we were prior to his arrival. The best thing we can do for our children is to establish consistency in the schools and that starts at the top with the superintendent. Even if you choose not to renegotiate the contract now, there have been, in my opinion, no egregious issues that would cause us to begin a new search now or in the near future. This entire process would be an ill-advised use of tax payer money, when we have a person who is interested in staying and is seemingly following the initiatives set forth by yourselves on the Board of Education.
On the flip side, by simply opening this discussion and starting to negotiate does not mean that an extension should be a foregone conclusion. Any discussions of an extension must include a performance based compensation that is tied directly to improvements in the districts performance across the board and metrics put in place by the Board of Education. Although we have made great strides over the past few years in consolidated curriculum's, improving teaching standards there is still much work which needs to be done before we have reached our potential and Dr. Starr needs to be at the front of these initiatives.
If one of the negotiating points involves Dr. Starr moving to Stamford and enrolling his children in our schools then all the better, since that sends a message to the community about the superintendent's commitment to the schools. If he feels strongly enough to move his family here, then that shows he is committed to Stamford and to its school. I would also ask in the negotiations, if that is the path you choose to pursue, that there are some form of penalties or remunerations if he is to apply to another school district during the term of the revised contract. This needs to be a two way street, and we cannot have him leaving mid-way through his contract.
Finally, this is not and should not be a political issue. This is about our children and what is right for them. This is about our city and what is right for our future. The superintendent works for you, the members of the Board of Education. If you set the goals and agenda then measure his accomplishments and performance against the goals then it is clear if Dr. Starr is doing what is necessary to prepare our children, my children for the 21st century or not.
Thank you for your time,
Jeff Herz
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