I wanted to give everyone an update about the situation with the school website. I just received this information from Mr. Ingano:
Mrs. Anne Galeski of the Business Department of Clinton High School is in charge of the school website. Updates during the summer can take some time, due to vacations, etc, but just in the last week or so, the website has been updated with bus routes, the school calendar, CES supply list, an I-Parent Acceptable Use Policy, and at least two new Principal messages. And as soon as we have a photo for Annmarie Sargent, the CMS website will be updated with her information.
At Tuesday's School Committee meeting, the Parent Volunteer group informed us that they would be willing to help. In the past, there has been some concern about giving access to someone "outside" the district, but in order to keep things updated, we're willing to try something new. Also, Anne Galeski will get a high school student volunteer with the proper background to help her for credit.
We know that the website is a hot discussion right now with parents and we are trying to address it. We are also in the process of giving ALL administrators web privileges, so that each of the administrators in their own schools could update their own school's webpage. This will help tremendously come September.
And just a foot note regarding the search for a business manager: the screening committee will be interviewing a business manager candidate on Thursday, August 16.
Mrs. Anne Galeski of the Business Department of Clinton High School is in charge of the school website. Updates during the summer can take some time, due to vacations, etc, but just in the last week or so, the website has been updated with bus routes, the school calendar, CES supply list, an I-Parent Acceptable Use Policy, and at least two new Principal messages. And as soon as we have a photo for Annmarie Sargent, the CMS website will be updated with her information.
At Tuesday's School Committee meeting, the Parent Volunteer group informed us that they would be willing to help. In the past, there has been some concern about giving access to someone "outside" the district, but in order to keep things updated, we're willing to try something new. Also, Anne Galeski will get a high school student volunteer with the proper background to help her for credit.
We know that the website is a hot discussion right now with parents and we are trying to address it. We are also in the process of giving ALL administrators web privileges, so that each of the administrators in their own schools could update their own school's webpage. This will help tremendously come September.
And just a foot note regarding the search for a business manager: the screening committee will be interviewing a business manager candidate on Thursday, August 16.
I disagree with parent volunteers posting, this will only lead to this site being utilized for individual promotions of the parents, fundraisers etc. This is a school official page, not a parents page, (parents have this blog page to vent on)It is the responsibility of the Clinton Public Schools, administration to post - They should have the secretaries of each school, trained to post, this will also alleviate summer problems with updates, Department heads, of all departments,
ReplyDeletePrincipals and Asst Principals, Head of Maintenace, School Committee member should be the people who post. I want to know what is being done to better the education of our students,what needs are in our schools, both education and building needs, not what fundraiser I need to come up with money for next. As for a picture of AnneMarie Sargent, (oh my goodness - there are multipe pictures of her that have been published over the years- most recently in the ITEM of her and Mr. Rouleau. In fact I would like to see that picture posted on the web page and a posting from both the principal and assistant as to their beliefs and rules etc. In fact I think there should be principal and assistant principal messages on all clinton school pages. Business manager interview again -sad that apparently Clinton was used by the prior selection to better himself within his current school district, now we are behind again and will be lucky we have one in place by start of school year. I appreciate Anne Galeskis efforts but she clearly does not have the time to maintain the site, Each school should be accountable to keep their page current.
Might be off subject, but not really, Mr. Hastings posted a nice back to school message announcing his advisor program and how the school is ready now by the wonderful job his maintenance dept has done on the HS. What about the middle school, is that ready, have we gotten new windows in yet? Are the classrooms ready for the students yet? Guess I could walk into the HS right now without a problem and see a welcoming school, Can I do the same in the middle school?
ReplyDeleteAgree -there are secretaries in each school, plus a principal and vice principal, guidance staff, athletic directors (2), they should be able to keep the site updated without a parent having to be involved.
ReplyDeleteyes I would like to see a message, update on the public school site from the school committee after each meeting. Does not seem alot hits the newspaper.
ReplyDeleteThe School Committee should post their meeting notes after each meeting on the school website...
DeleteI would not have a parent update the web page either. I would have accountable people within each school, that could receive the communication needed to be posted, and have the ability to post it asap to each site. Too many pictures of students currently on the sites and they never seem to be current classes. I like the idea of principal, asst principal messages, and department postings I would like to hear what each dept is working on periodically, and I think what maintenance is also very important to note so everyone understands when money is needed to improve education or buildings. I also agree we need a school committee posting also.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a photo of Anne Marie Sargent yet ? No middle school welcome by the new principal either.
ReplyDeleteNo email to the staff at CMS either, to welcome the new assistant principal...I know that CHS staff has received email welcoming new staff.
ReplyDeleteWow ! that's bad.
ReplyDeleteIparent had NOTHING. I was looking for past grades, this year's schedules, events, the calender...anything ( I registered early last year) but there is NOTHING ON IT!
ReplyDeleteIn fact, the website still has CHRISTMAS mesages on it.
I would like to know how the parent volunteers are NOT considered "accountable"? Every single one of them go through a training, have the same background check that teachers and staff have done, as well as sign a legal confidentiality agreement. This is a more rigorous prepping to be in the school than any substitute teacher goes through!
ReplyDeleteI am all for letting volunteers help out with updating, this isn't sensitive information we are talking about, and the comment above about using the website as a place to vent is preposterous and not even possible. We are talking about someone logging on under their own account to keep the calendar current...not go through personnel files!
As for the comment about every school having 2 secretaries...you apparently have not been into CES at all this year or you would know that the 1 secretary they had was injured last fall and the office was manned all year by guidance staff and the principals themselves.
Well said and I agree 100%!
DeleteI agree with you 100% too. I signed up to help keep the website updated a couple of years ago and was suppose to be trained (by high school staff). I was never "trained" due to family emergencies. Parents were suppose to help the teachers keep their pages update. Some teachers have NOTHING on their pages except an email address, while others stay on top of it and have photos of school events and so forth.
DeleteAs far as venting and fundraising on the school website, that's just ridiculous.
I did hear one of the secretaries was injured and out. But I did go to the CES several times during the year and was greeted by a secretary (other than the one injured)Not by principal, vice principal or guidance staff. I believe parent volunteers are always welcomed in every school but not updating the web pages.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the solution is to POST the job descriptions of all secretaries within our CPS.
ReplyDeletePrincipals, vice principal, etc. Then we can see who is accountable to maintain communication on the web pages, Also is there a policy regarding who post on teachers pages, and if other than the teacher places a post on their page is it identified on that page WHO posted it and when?
Had a thought while reading the above, why did they not either bring in a parent volunteer to do the injured secretaries work, or do we have substitute secretaries to cover when needed. Principals and vice principals should not be doing secretarial work, did they notify Mr. Ingano they were unable to function in their job roles because of the absence of one secretary? If so was it his suggestion they do the secretaries work?
ReplyDeleteReally? There are people who are livid about the mere thought of parents doing the website work. I'm fairly certain there would be a hanging in Central Park of whatever poor volunteer had to do the secretaries job, where they would have access to personal information and whatnot.
DeleteJust checked out positions and salaries for CES secretaries. We the people pay with our taxes for TWO secretaries in CES totaling approximately $85,000 a year for those positions. And we need parents to update a web page. That's about 42,000 each -alot of people out of work these days, I am sure multiple people would be willing to take those jobs for that pay and not have a problem updating things.
ReplyDeleteTo clarify, the person you were greeted by IS guidance staff, her office is located across the hall from the main office. With the loss of one secretary, (that position and salary you mentioned now eliminated and she is now working for the SPED dept across the street), the injury of the other secretary, and NO budget to hire someone, they had to pull the guidance secretary/admin asst. into the main office to do the job.
ReplyDeleteAs for alerting Mr. Ingano, of course he is and has been aware of the problem, but what can he do? There's no extra money in the budget, those positions were cut to save others...that $85G isn't sitting around waiting for someone to pay, that's being used to save a classroom teacher, or 3 special needs paras.
The budgets had to be cut, positions had to be eliminated and combined, these are the kinds of cuts and conditions, not just CES, but all 3 schools are dealing with in order to save the jobs of the teachers themselves.
I cannot even believe these things are questioned, has anyone been paying attention for the last 2 years? Every year there is less money, more people and positions gone. Yet the budget is shot down by the town time and time again...
I apologize if you feel no one should question positions and job function but if CPS are going to succeed then we need to look at who is accountable for what and are they preforming their jobs. One issue this summer alone with very poor non professional supply list and also typos on the principal welcome address. These things should not happen (money or no money- that is someones job and this is a school). I will be sure to watch how many secretaries are present in CES this school year and also can you tell me are we paying the injured secretary or did we eliminate her position. Would think that is a workers comp situation and were paying. Please also be aware
ReplyDeleteI am fully aware of the needs of the schools, I have contributed to the needs of the schools,
I have supported the requested override. I just feel the organization and accountability needs to be looked at. Sorry if you disagree.