All rights reserved. And she is not looking to sweep things under the rug. That petition requested the resignation of superintendent Jessica Huizenga and board chair Ron Carvell. Huizenga, who had most recently been an assistant superintendent in Cambridge, was named Southbridge receiver on March 22, 2016, and began working in the role on May 2, 2016. The other day we published this blog about disgraced former Southbridge Public Schools superintendent/state receiver Jessica Huizenga, who is a finalist for the superintendent job in Lynn. Dr. More kerfuffles followed when Davis chose not to share the slideshow and according to an email, when she offered to sit down with a parent to discuss the presentation, she refused to comply with the request. Union representatives say they have met with the superintendent more than 20 times to discuss concerns, but no resolutions have occurred. Disgraced Southbridge Superintendent Jessica Huizenga Is In - Turtleboy Huizenga was the Southbridge School District's receiver for one year until she went on paid administrative leave in June of 2017. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. The specifics of why Siegrist resigned are unknown at press time and Carvell did not return an email seeking comment but it could be due to an ongoing misconduct investigation since June which was prompted by a former Milford High School employee. School Committee member Scott S. Lazo, in noting that Ms. Huizenga hadnt held a permanent superintendent job before coming to Southbridge, asserted that Ms. Huizenga, was set up to fail the day she landed;its called inexperience., Town Manager Ronald San Angelo said of the announcement: At least it takes us out of this limbo situation, which is a little frustrating for everyone., Mr. San Angelo added that Southbridge would like the state to find somebody that is going to stay for a long period of time.. There are only three districts in Massachusetts under receivership. MILFORD In a district that has been mired by problems, Milford High School principal Chali Davis, who was hired in July 2019, resigned on Monday, effective June 30. For now, vice chairperson Holleigh Tlapa is assuming the position of board chair. Since Dr. Huizenga joined the Milford School District, employees have been reporting extremely low morale, frustration, increased stress and confusion resulting from a poor working relationship with our educational leader, which has created an atmosphere of mistrust throughout the district, they stated. In February of this year, the Milford school board discussed Huizengas evaluation amidst a flurry of questions that were raised about a petition warrant that was submitted to the school board did not appear on the ballot for the Mar. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. 10 election. Also announced at the meeting, was the departure of board vice chair Kevin Drew, who is retiring from his role on the board after nine years. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Johnston is the third receiver in Southbridge. Stirring conversations about big bucks and a whammy, Huizengas original Jan. 8, 2019 contract, under line 10, termination without cause, specified that, the district shall pay to the superintendent, in a lump sum as severance pay, the salary and the value of the fringe benefits that she would have earned under this contract up to a maximum of (6) months.. Huizenga said she has sought and received significant input from staff and the community throughout this process. Partly cloudy skies this evening. Were not following her contract on that.. She stole someone else's work and didn't cite . More than 150 union members were recently asked if they are confident in the ability of Dr. Jessica Huizenga, superintendent for SAU 40, to provide effective leadership for Milford schools. When the commissioner's post is vacant, state law charges the board with recommending a candidate to the education secretary. The purpose of this blog is to share my ideas and experiences with other practitioners in the field of Education for the purposes of collaboration and improvement of the American Education system. There was a problem saving your notification. Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. On Thursday, Huizenga told the New Hampshire Union Leader that she will continue to serve the school district and its staff. Tlapa said that superintendent evaluations should be quarterly or at least bi-annually. During her tenure in Concord, she was named in a civil lawsuit after a high school student was sexually assaulted on a school bus in 2017. Fellow board member Mike Hannon said echoed Tlapas sentiment. Next week Ill be meeting with DESE for an update, and Im confident that Southbridge is in good hands with Russell Johnston, whos well qualified and has been on the ground since day one, the senator said. It wasnt in the best interest of the town.. MILFORD On the heels of school superintendent Dr. Jessica Huizengas resignation tendered on Dec. 2 (effective July 1, 2021), school board chairman Mike Hannon resigned on Dec. 7, citing his need to focus on health, family and a new job. MILFORD, NH The Milford School District will begin looking for a new superintendent after its current leader offered her resignation Wednesday. The announcement comes after months of controversy over Huizenga, who joined the district last year after what teachers says was an unfair hiring process lacking community input. Davis served as assistant principal in Concord, New Hampshire for three years before entering the Milford school system, where she headed the English, English Language Learners and Reading departments. We won't share it with anyone else. The secretary can only appoint someone recommended by the board. Free Stuff; Home Design, Milford Restaurants To Take Mom To On Mexican Mothers Day, T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week, Nashua Home Design Center Educational Series presents An Evening of Bathroom Design, Gail Westergren Scholarship Pancake Breakfast, A Fire; A Festival; Fentanyl Facts; Fancy Flats; More: PM Patch NH, Local Jobs: See Who's Hiring In The Milford Area, Milford Weather Forecast For The Week Ahead. Its just pouring over everywhere.. Johnston, the department's senior associate commissioner, stepped in to the Southbridge post on an interim basis when Jessica Huizenga began a leave of absence on May 31. Shes engaged and shes committed. We could disagree, he added, as long as we disagree with a manner of reasoning. Huizenga, who has master and doctoral degrees from the UMass Lowell, has been a middle and high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of curriculum, assistant superintendent and superintendent in her 20-year educational career. Disgraced Southbridge Superintendent Jessica Huizenga Is Also A Because I dont look as the chair as being the boss of the district. More than 150 union members were recently asked if they are confident in the ability of Dr. Jessica Huizenga, superintendent for SAU 40, to provide effective leadership for Milford schools. In our Sagan is suggesting a 10 percent raise to $184,827.50, effective June 27 until Wulfson concludes his service in the role. Tlapa went on to say that she that she would not support any request or action that does not have the wellbeing of the student at the forefront of its agenda. Would you like to receive our daily news? "There seems to be no bar low enough for the slanderers to stoop," Siegrist said. In Sept. 2019, speaking to the Milford Cabinet, a newspaper in The Telegraph Publishing Group, Huizenga attempted to clarify the continuous debates that lingered on social media and were ongoing during school board meetings. Charles D.Baker Jr., as were board chairman Paul Sagan and member Michael Moriarty. RICHMOND, Va. The Virginia NAACP has called for the resignation of the state's chief diversity officer after remarks he made during a speech at the Virginia Military Institute. I did not disrespect anyone.. Huizenga announced her resignation July 20, according to a memo from Wulfson to the board. Ronald Carvell, chairman of the Milford School Board, said the board fully supports the superintendent, adding board members have investigated each of the allegations brought forward by the Milford educational unions. Non-committee members are encouraged to ask questions, contribute their ideas, and provide feedback throughout the process., Working together we will create a better tomorrow and the brightest possible future for every member of our school district and community, always focusing on what is in the best interest of our students.. An Early 1970s Milford Ranch In Need Of Some Cosmetic Updates, Milford Weekday Events, What's Happening? Huizenga called for them to end negative campaigns against her. Under his leadership, the team is preparing for a strong start to the 2017-2018 school year. "I wish her well. Choose wisely! The announcement . Huizenga clarified that the nearly $40,000 of what the union called "consulting services" was for a strategic planning process, at the request of the board, whose current plan dates back to 2010. Thats unfortunate, but thats the world we live in., Weve created our own monster based on what goes on down in D.C., Carvell added. In a letter issued on Thursday, school board members said the unions allegations against Superintendent Huizenga were false and called for them to end "negative campaigns" against her. She reports on education and demographics. Why dont we just hire someone with experience who can go to work?. Southbridge is an impoverished shithole whose teachers don't get paid nearly enough, because their jobs are much harder than teachers in affluent communities. State Sen. Ryan C. Fattman, R-Webster, said in a statement: While I am unaware about the circumstances causing the receivers resignation, despite inquiry, I appreciate many of the positive changes she helped to implement. Theyinclude working with his office and state Rep. Peter J. Durant, R-Spencer, and DESE to obtain $2 million in federal grant funding for educational opportunities for Southbridge. In a joint press release issued by Milford Teachers Association president Cheryl Erdody, MTA vice president Suzanne Schedin, Milford Education Support Staff Association president Brenda Walker and Milford Educational Personnel Association president Doug Haggett, it stated, This is one of the first times that the Milford education unions took a vote of no confidence in our educational leader. In this episode, Dr. Jessica Huizenga, Superintendent of Milford School District in Milford, New Hampshire shares her story of life and leadership. Cline did not return an email to Patch about the matter. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. But I think there is more to come on this.. Holyoke and Lawrence are the others. There are people out there whose way of expressing concern is to put things up on telephone poles and harass them that way. Its mind boggling the amount of time that people are spending going after her., I am especially proud of the work I have led with my team in developing and implementing a forward-thinking Strategic Plan, the Districts first in 10 years,, She wants to stay in Milford and do her job,, Thats her passion. I did not cry foul. We have tasked her with some significant changes for our community, and we can appreciate that there are concerns about that, but we believe these changes will help improve our educational system and we believe those changes have been developed with significant public input, said Carvell. Got a news tip? I want to talk about the kids. Jessica Huizenga is on Facebook. I voted with my conscience as I always do, and I felt that at the time of the vote, that I was protecting our district.. Cline, she said, never responded to her email, she said. The J. That students parent, Jamie Morgan, who has been publicly frustrated with some of the school district and school boards policies and conduct, sent an email to the Cabinet which she sent to numerous school representatives, including the school board chair and board members, principal Mike Tenters and Davis. The way I was appointed is a big problem. Dr. Huizenga's resignation as receiver was announced on July 20, 2017. We must strive to incorporate feedback directly from the superintendent, district employees, administrators, parents, and students, she said. It was alleged that Huizenga made drastic changes without input from staff, including reappropriating Title I funds and spending $80,000 on consulting services. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Invalid password or account does not exist. Signup today! During the superintendents report, Huizenga touted social and emotional learning and reading programs throughout various Milford schools. Were not following her contract on that.. That petition requested the resignation of superintendent Huizenga and board chair Carvell. That petition requested the resignation of superintendent Jessica Huizenga and board chair Ron Carvell. There are other school boards and individuals in other districts who behave like this, he said. Jacqueline Reis, the department's media relations coordinator, said the department staff is searching for a new receiver and "will ensure there is a careful, deliberate search, and there will be an opportunity in the beginning stages for community members to say what qualities the district's next leader should possess. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. They were promised a process. This board is not functioning like that., We have a superintendent who cares about kids,, Shes engaged and shes committed. As the school year was just beginning in Sept. 2019, there was still a heated debate over board member conduct, a 99 percent no confidence vote for Huizenga and the resignation of Jennifer Siegrist over a controversial text message debate. Huizenga is exceptionally qualified and the best fit for Milford schools, Milford School Board Chairman Ron Carvell said in a press release announcing the appointment. Milford High principal Chali Davis resigns - Cabinet "Under his leadership, the team is preparing for a strong start to the 2017-2018 school year.". Shared by Jessica Huizenga Come network with friends & colleagues at the October 27th West Michigan Air & Waste Management Association's happy hour, hosted by the WM-AWMA YP That person has no more authority than any other board member., Ill sit here and be very respectful in my last term,, I didnt speak out of turn. Protesters call for Huizenga to resign after lawsuit support They do not know how to build, and they do not know how to turn this district around, he said of the state's intervention. In a 50-49 vote, Manchin (D-W.Va.)a fossil fuel industry beneficiary . In May 2019, after 48 staff resignations, Milford school unions took a vote of no confidence in Huizenga, asking officials to search for a replacement. These past two years have been challenging for the MHS community and alongside with each other, we have sought to meet the many challenges with courage, grit, humor and determination., Davis shared that students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators came together in the midst of a crisis and have done the very best they could.. Carvell said as a board member, his ideology was that the board members should respect one another and function properly. Sarah Gibson joined NHPR's newsroom in 2018. I think what the community is doing to the school district was horrible. That still hasnt happened. Va. NAACP calls for resignation after chief diversity officer says 'DEI Although we will not include a public comment section, we provide an avenue for input. Huizenga announced her . If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. At the Board's special meeting on August 15, Dr. Johnston will provide an update on the work in Southbridge. The state took over management of Southbridge schools, a district of about 2,200 students, in January 2016, after the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education deemed it a Level 5 chronically underperforming district. Jessica Huizenga, Ed.D - LinkedIn Her leadership was particularly evident and greatly admired from her colleagues and to district leadership, as an integral member of our team. By KIMBERLY HOUGHTON At the beginning of the 2019 school year, meetings were often heated, due in some part, to the hiring of Dr. Huizenga who many teachers felt should have never been permanently hired as school superintendent and wanted her to resign then. The chairman just writes the paperwork and gets authority to sign things and facilitates meetings. I did not bark thunder. Copyright The Cabinet Press | https://www.cabinet.com | 167 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055 | 603-673-3100, In Jessicas contract, since were trying to follow the contracts a little better, it says that she will be evaluated no later than Jan. 1 (2020),, That still hasnt happened. Hello! While Carvell couldnt disclose details of Huizengas leaving, he did call her the best superintendent., She wants to stay in Milford and do her job, Carvell noted. We will ensure there is a careful, deliberate search, and there will be an opportunity in the beginning stages for community members to say what qualities the district's next leader should possess. "We have had over 20 meetings with the Superintendent to work through these issues," said Suzanne Schedin, vice president of the Milford Teachers' Association. Edelblut replied via email that he had forwarded her materials to Fenton, the attorney Morgan met with the previous month to discuss her initial allegations. It wasnt in the best interest of the town., Even after I wasnt the chairman any longer, I took the position after they made a move that was very pre-planned. Were worse off now than when the state took us over. I did not bark thunder. Senate soon to consider whether to expand EFA eligibility. Morgan, while watching the meeting at home, heard the disgruntled employee comment by Siegrist, and went to the meeting. I believe I have the full support of the school board and will continue to serve them and everyone in Milford, to the best of my ability, she added. And thats the way the board should function. Update: Davis Resigns From Milford High School Principal Job I didnt want it to look like we were bossing the district around. MILFORD - On the heels of school superintendent Dr. Jessica Huizenga's resignation tendered on Dec. 2 (effective July 1, 2021), school board chairman Mike Hannon resigned on Dec. 7, citing his need to focus on health, family and a new job. After failing to reach a compromise during mediation and after several delays, a judge approved an extension and the trial has been set for January 2022. According to Erdody, Schedin, Walker and Haggett, the proposed changes will not improve school services and were unilaterally decided upon by the superintendent without input from the education community. Create a password that only you will remember. Kevin has been a solid board member in any role hes played in our educational system.. ", "I am doing the job that I have been directed to do by the Milford School Board, which has involved a number of changes, that are needed and in the best interest of students. I used to use them all the time, he said. Chance of rain 40%.. I think its a combination of things, Huizenga said at the time. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Her name is Jessica Huizenga, and the state appointed her to be the "receiver" for the Southbridge Public Schools. The board held a nonpublic school board meeting on Aug. 15, "RSA 91-A:3II (a) Personnel," which allows for officials to discuss "the dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted.". I was brought in as an interim. Copyright The Nashua Telegraph | https://www.nashuatelegraph.com | 110 Main St, Ste 1, Nashua, NH 03060 | 603-882-2741, Milford school superintendent gives resignation, This is one of the first times that the Milford education unions took a vote of no confidence in our educational leader. I am proud to have served this community, and I value the connections we have made, she continued. Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter. I believe that its imperative that we complete an evaluation and should have prior to making any contractual modifications. I was fairly upset coming into the meeting and very distracted as a result of how this has affected my health, time with family and ability to properly manage a new career at my stage in life.. Liked by Jessica Huizenga, Ed.D This is an unprecedented and difficult moment for Houston parents, educators, and students as they wonder about the future of their schools. We do not take such a vote lightly, said a release issued jointly by Cheryl Erdody, president of the Milford Teachers Association, Suzanne Schedin, vice-president of MTA, Brenda Walker, president of the Milford Education Support Staff Association and Doug Haggett, president of the Milford Educational Personnel Association. During board comments, board member Holleigh Ciardelli Tlapa shared her viewpoints from a prepared statement on the subject of the superintendents contract renegotiations. In a very short amount of time, she gracefully tackled some significant and important items that have long needed attention, positioning MHS to move forward into the future.. Cabinet file photos Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Thats her passion. They were promised certain things. That policy is that the remaining members of the board will fill the vacancy with a successor. Siegrist's resignation comes at a tumultuous time for the district and board as it faces questions about the hiring of Huizenga, resignations in the district, and contentious meetings during the past few months. At a school board meeting on Thursday, parents and district staff wearing black t-shirts with "Milford Strong" emblazoned across the chest peppered the board with questions about staffing changes and the boards' decision not to meet with the unions to discuss its concerns. Milford school board meetings in the last year and half have often become heated, during public comments and sometimes between board members themselves. I did not cry foul. Netflix Confirms 'Black Mirror' Season 6 Trailer, Launch Date, Cast Sagan wrote to the board that he is recommending the pay boost - from the deputy commissioner salary of $168,025 - because of the "significant responsibilities that Jeff Wulfson has assumed as Acting Commissioner, and in light of the high ratings of performance he has received as Deputy Commissioner."