Does everyone have their Red Bull ready? Tonight is the Bridgeport Board of Education’s first regular meeting of the new school year. If the agenda is any indication, I have a feeling this is going to be another 1 a.m. night. Tonight’s regular board meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Aquaculture School, 60 St.… Continue reading Bridgeport BOE Kicks Off the New School Year
Riddle me this: Why are a few bad decisions made half a lifetime ago still relevant in a story about a man who has devoted his life to improving education for the kids who need it most? That’s what puzzled me about the Hartford Courant’s latest piece about Michael Sharpe who, as it turns out,… Continue reading For Connecticut Kids, Academic Success is What Matters Most
An interesting email exchange between Superintendent Paul Vallas and Board Chairwoman Sauda Baraka reveals that Baraka is more interested in saving her hide than protecting students in Bridgeport schools. The series of emails revolve around the recent release of three videos tapes showing former Tisdale Elementary School Principal Carmen Perez-Dickson dragging two kindergarten students down… Continue reading Emails Reveal BOE Chair Baraka More Concerned with Her Reputation than the Safety of Bridgeport Children
The minority board members—in this case: Herman Illingworth, Leticia Colon and Thomas Mulligan—were “shocked, appalled and devastated” by the majority’s decision to allow Tisdale Principal Carmen Perez-Dickson to continue with the district. [“We are Shocked,” 10/31/2013] Last Wednesday, after over six hours of deliberation, the board decided to suspend, rather than terminate, Perez-Dickson. Perez-Dickson was… Continue reading Does 35 Years of Service Absolve You? A Look at the Perez- Dickson Decision
Looks like Carmen Perez-Dickson will be back to work… eventually. After over six hours of deliberation on Wednesday, the board decided by a 4-3 vote to suspend Perez-Dickson rather than terminate her employment with the district. Working Families Party members Sauda Baraka and John Bagley, as well as Democrat Bobby Simmons, all voted against termination.… Continue reading Perez Dickson Gets Her Job Back, But The Battle Isn’t Over Yet.
Wednesday, October 30th is the final day for the board to come to a decision in the Carmen Perez-Dickson termination hearing… Or, maybe not? According to the agenda, which was posted last night, there will be “discussion and possible action.” Which considering the board’s track record, doesn’t bode well. [Bridgeport Board of Education, 10/29/2013] Originally,… Continue reading Will the Board Finally Make a Decision on Perez-Dickson?
It’s official! The board has until October 30th to make a decision on Tisdale Principal Carmen Perez-Dickson. The closing of evidentiary portion of the hearing was agreed upon and confirmed at Tuesday’s special board meeting—but not before an angry spat between board members Thomas Mulligan and Bobby Simmons over exhibit 16. The document in question… Continue reading Board Members Argue Over “Integrity of the Panel”
The school board met on Friday evening for the first deliberation session, but has yet to come to a decision in the Carmen Perez-Dickson hearing. Friday’s meeting was conducted entirely in executive session and it’s expected that all subsequent meetings will also be held behind closed doors—except for the vote, which must be held in… Continue reading No Decision Yet for Dickson
During Friday’s termination hearing, Tisdale Principal Carmen Perez-Dickson claimed she thought the tapes were “doctored.” The three now infamous tapes allegedly show the Tisdale Principal “manhandling” two kindergarten students under her care. In order to protect the student’s identities, none of the tapes were released to the public. During Perez-Dickson’s retelling of the February 19th… Continue reading Carmen Perez-Dickson Termination Hearing: Were the Tapes Doctored?
After months of hearings, Jettie S. Tisdale Principal Carmen Perez-Dickson was finally given a chance to tell her side of the story during Friday’s four-hour special board meeting. Perez-Dickson was put on administrative leave back in 2012 after three tapes surfaced which allegedly show her “manhandling” two kindergarten students at Tisdale. During Friday’s hearing, Perez-Dickson… Continue reading Carmen Perez-Dickson Takes the Stand
