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Friday, April 27, 2018

HERE IS ONE FOR THE OVERSIGHT BOARD; THE BOTTOMLESS MONEY PIT AT THE BOE

I am not sure if the Hartford Board of Education has received the memo yet that the City of Hartford is broke.

I think the BOE, its members and the Superintendent might be under the impression that they are not accountable to the people of Hartford or its taxpayers. The reckless spending detailed in two of my previous posts are in the links below, but yet the reckless spending continues.
http://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2017/12/memo-to-hartford-board-of-education-you.html
http://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2017/12/memo-to-hartford-board-of-education-you.html

Another perfect example of the out of control spending is about to take place and the details and the origin are somewhat bizarre..

I was tipped off by a source to some crazy spending this week, and the spokesperson for the Hartford Schools confirmed the sources information. Several other sources with knowledge have also confirmed and provided more details for me.

Recently, Joseph Sikora , retired as the Director of Security  for the Hartford Schools. Sikora was a retired Lieutenant  from the Hartford Police Department before going over to HPS.I am not sure what the selection process was to replace Sikora. At least three sources familiar with the process told me that  BOE Chair Craig Stallings pushed for retired HPD Chief Daryl Roberts to  ascend to the position of Security Director for the Hartford Schools.

Apparently that choice was made without the approval of the Hartford Superintendent.

Some sort of rift has developed between Roberts and the Superintendent and the Hartford Schools have now created  a "cabinet position" under the Superintendent.

Although Roberts was apparently hired on Stallings urging as the "Director of Security", the new Cabinet position will be called the "Executive Director of Internal Investigations and Security".

Roberts salary will be  $107,458 per year plus benefits. The new "Executive Director" will be paid $135,000 per year plus benefits..

According to sources, the role of the Executive Director essentially will be to oversee Roberts and control his interactions with the Superintendent. This has been verified by the HPS spokesperson Zayas  who stated that Roberts will be reporting to the 'Executive Director"

The position of the Executive Director of Internal Investigations has already been filled by a retired Connecticut State Police Major, Alexander Rios.

Now by all accounts I have received from sources familiar with the BOE and Law Enforcement officials, Rios is more than competent to fill the position.





































Alaexander Rios was last promoted from Lieutenant to Major with the Connecticut State Police after serving as a Trooper for over 20 years. Rios served as the commander of Troop C, Troop A and the Bureau of Professional Standards. Rios has also served in Troop H andf Troop K  and the Central District major Crimes Squad. Rios holds a B.S. degree and resides in Manchester.

Again, Rios appears to be competent for the position, but can we really be talking about closing schools over budget issues and then be creating "Executive Director" positions due to perceived personality conflicts?









91 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stallings is milking the city and absolutely sucks. Roberts sucks as well, so makes sense Stallings got Roberts hired. Roberts is nothing but trouble and can’t get along with anyone. The city is in no place wasting this money on frivolous unnecessarily positions that continue to drain the city.

Anonymous said...

Kev, you’re just mad because that shit bag Rovella didn’t get the job.

The Cheater said...

I wonder if Roberts girlfriend (AC) weighed in to help him get the job,,,,,oh my I forgot Roberts is married.

Tom said...

Leslie has circled the wagons over a huge health insurances scandle and does not want the public to know. The scandal involves hundreds of thousands of dollars,falsafication of records and many BOE folks involved. Check this one out Kevin as it is going on now.

Anonymous said...

Would this count as “double dipping” regarding his pension?

Anonymous said...

The entire BOE budget should be closely examined....Take a look at the ridiculous amounts spent on paying teachers for summer institute and afterschool prodessional learning communities. Hourly pay for certified teachers....hundreds of thousands wasted yearly!

Anonymous said...

Kev,, WHY DIDN’T THEY ASSIGN THESE TWO POSITIONS TO HFD CHIEF/DPW DIRECTOR REGGIE FREEMAN ????

Anonymous said...

Did the Superintendent and BOE get approval of these hires in excess of $100k from the MARB as is required under the new oversight deal? They adding positions when closing schools, cutting teachers and support staff? When does the public demand accountability from this Superintendent and the complicit BOE?

Anonymous said...

Joe Sikora reported to the COO Jose Colon Rivas who is already a cabinet member so why the need to create another cabinet level Exec Director position? the Superintendent doesn’t supervise anyone not even cabinet level positions, they all fall under the Deputy now. So you have 3 levels of supervision so why the need for the exec director position? every time they have a claim, they hire external firms to investigate and spend a shitload of money with outside lawyers to cover up their tracks. Soon we will hear the cries of needing more funding and cuts to schools and staff. But the wasteful spending for friends goes on.

Anonymous said...

Is Alexander Rios a friend of Leslie's husband ?

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

11:16

Yes, that is what I am told, not verified though

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

11:14am

And don’t we have a Police Department well trained to handle these Investigations? But then the Superintendent can’t cover things up when it goes to HPD

Murray said...

If Leslie hired her and her husband's friend to be the new Executive Safety Director,reporting to her,then that is likely a conflict of interest and someone should file with the City Ethics Board to have them investigate it.

Furthermore this whole issue and a copy of this blog should be sent to the MARB so that they can investigate what appears to be wasteful spending.

In further addition,the BOE can investigate this situation and after a investigation,fire Mr Rios for cause and reprimand Leslie for selecting a friend of her's and/or her husband.

The Council can also investigate this..if they have the intestinal fortitude.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

The Council? Don’t make me laugh

Anonymous said...

Like the dude they hired as deputy superintendent who was also a "friend" and under ethics investigations by Fla dept of ed.. these things keep transpiring while these people have impunity for their actions with open access to tax payers money.

Anonymous said...

They are ALL milking us, the taxpayers. We are REAL suckers letting them to continue robbing us blind.

Anonymous said...

Both Stallings and Torres are stealing Batchelder school away from the community, as they put it due to the budget, and giving the building to a Montessori program. Stallings is no stranger to stealing. In fact he took out a $5000 loan from his credit union and made no installment payments. He also tried to claim he and his wife are in the military to get loan forgiveness. The case was sent to court and this is the case number :

HHD-CV17-6083961-S

This guy is a scumbag

Anonymous said...

Stallings has always been a scumbag.

Anonymous said...

@6:41

Batchelder had to close but that shouldn't give a green light to hire essentially top heavy positions. The Supe should know better considering recent history.

Anonymous said...

Hey 6:41

Looks like Stallings case is over and there was a judgment against him and his wife. Torres is currently being sued by a former coach. Her case number is. HHD-CV17-6081625-S And it's going to trial.
She is being represented by the law firm of Howd & Ludorf.
This looks like a private law firm. Are we taxpayers paying for this?????? The HBOE?????
Kevin is there any way of finding this information out?

Lou said...

Anon 8:22 AM- the BOE hired,with permission of Corporation outside counsel to defend her....yes, the taxpayers are paying for this...

Anonymous said...

12:36 it's not that "the taxpayers are paying for this," it's the taxpayers are misled, lied to and cheated so the politicians and those close to them benefit financially and we, the taxpayers, get screwed up over and over again and forced to pay.

Anonymous said...

This mess sickings me. The state should take ober the Hartford Board of Education. Superindentant Torres is useless. However, the BOE signed off on a handsome contract. BOE president Craig is simply not qualified for any sort of responsibliity for our parents, teachers and children. The man is a mess. If you cannot run a household how on earth can he run a school board. Remember tax payers we had to open the polls so he could get re-elected. Another big waste of money. Former Hartford Police Chief Darly dose not get along with people. He has a terrible temper and demenor. He is hungrey for more of Hartford tax dollars. He should never start this new position because it should be eliminated immediately. Yes, Daryl would be double dipping. Hartford BOE has been out of control for years. Mr. BOE president should be expelled. Enough is enough.

Anonymous said...

Of course Hartford taxpayers are paying for an attorney to represent Superintenant Torres. That is criminal. But that is how it works in Hartford. Taxpayers shell out money for everything. How about the prominent City Treasurer Adam Cloud? He wants a hugh increase in pay. Cloud should get a job that pays him big bucks elsewhere. Mr. Cloud and his Deputy should move on to greener grass. They will not be missed in Hartford.

Anonymous said...

Move on Darly Roberts. It is time for you to volunteer your time. Give back to Hartford. You left Hartford for Bloomfield. However, Hartford needs help. Get involved and volunteer. It would be good for you Daryl. Not much good to say about City Treasurer Adam Cloud. He owes Hartford money because he gave himself a raise that he approved himself. Honest Adam gave himself a pay raise. Hartford wants that money back ADAM CLOUD now! Dose Adam honestly think Hartford taxpayers are going to give him another dime before he pays the taxpayers back what he owes them? Wake up Adam Cloud you are always begging for money. The well is dry.

Anonymous said...

The mere fact that this is Hartford I would think that the board of ed would've retained the services of the law offices of Dewey, Cheatum, & Howe to represent Torres

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

I don’t think the raise for the treasurer was ever approved by the council

Anonymous said...

Kevin, the fact that crooked Adam Cloud (my opinion) even has the nerve to ask for an increase should bother all of Hartford taxpayers.

Anonymous said...

Batchelder did not "have to close" they met enrollment this BOE just wanted that address for the Montessori program..and HTFD tax payers can pay the huge transportation costs for busing those poor kids (489) all over the city and will also bear the burden of paying for all the other foolish choices including going back to middle schools after changing to Pre-K to 8 schools years earlier. The busing and renovation costs will be through the roof.. The main reason middle schools were changed over years back was to eliminate gang activity with students of the same vulnerable age group all in one building but the super would not be privy to that history so is dumb enough to repeat Hartford's problems. All of these BOE choices are costly to tax payers, foolish left over plans from the Harvard Super they got rid of and are essentially lousy planning with poor consequences for the city. Just like the millions spent on the culinary kitchen that was state of the art for Hartford's Culinary Program that they trashed without pause or any thought to the expense.Culinary Arts mind you an actual trade for students who may not be college bound .. All of these people are only good at wasting tax payer money .They have destroyed the school system in Hartford and these latest choices have completely sunk the ship. This super will probably pull out mid construction move on to her next victims leaving the city schools a huge mess and Hartford even more broke in the process. If this was a suburb town the BOE meetings would be stormed by town residents demanding dismissals and serving cease desist orders.

Anonymous said...

1 - Stallings never claimed any defense, since he did not appear, and the credit union was granted a motion for default for failure to appear. WTF? This is while he was on the board. Where is the Courant?
2 - Ortiz hired Michael Stratton, formerly of Stratton Faxon, as his attorney. Stratton can be the greatest trial lawyer in the world when he is on.
3 - Roberts? This is worst than bring SKB back into City Hall.

Anonymous said...

Anon at 10:12
The Courant died long time ago. They're only printing daily trash there.

Anonymous said...

I keep reading on this blog "Hartford Taxpayers". There is no such thing. The overwhelming amount of funds spent by the Hartford schools comes from CT taxpayers. If it were not for the CT taxpayer the Hartford schools would not survive. Hartford residents have very little money and pay almost no taxes.

Anonymous said...

No, Hartford taxpayers pay around 70% of their annual budget on education. Teachers get very little money compared to the Superintendents Cabinet. There are too many on the payroll at the higher level of Hartford executive educators. Something needs to give. Hiring Darly Robert is a big mistake. The HBE Security Office dose not need another official. This is poor judgement on HBE President Stallings. It is wrong that Stallings sees it differently. Wake up President Stallings you are wasting Hartford taxpayers dollars! Get it!

Anonymous said...

There are actually Hartford taxpayers. Hartford is the place to engage in many day and evening activities. Surrounding towns do not have what the Capitol City has to offer.

RB said...

So, I guess with all this money spent on Administrators, that must mean all Hartford schools are in tip-top condition, plenty of supplies, Teachers no longer spending their own money on supplies for their classrooms, everything is clean & tidy.

Good to know the Hartford BOE has their priorities in order.

Anonymous said...

Seems as though the BOE need a huge budget for law groups to save their sorry asses. That needs correction as well as the top heavy administrative costs. Not sure of the outcome concerning student / teacher performance but it would be nice to think we get what we pay for. Hartford.....ffs

Anonymous said...

9:32pm Hartford, a place like no other, offering you drugs and crime. No limit.

Anonymous said...

STALLINGS -WAKE UP OR GET OUT.

The southern winds of FL said...

So is the sexual harassment documented hpd academy incident ever going to be investigated ? I guess all those zero tolerance zone posters around city buildings can be tossed. Rovella did nothing. It seems Rosado will do nothing either. Those reports are now in the open. It would be a mighty stressful day when the media comes calling with tough questions for rendock and staff that WERE AWARE of the numerous sexual comments and actions of one porkchop Lt. I guess the buck shot days are not behind the dept. The coverups continue. Its a mighty pity that a new administration cant make positive change for the better of the crumbling morale in the dept. The city will do what it always has done, pay out large civil settlements. Luckily i will be in Fl next year. Good luck new guys. Enjoy playing politics....

Anonymous said...

Hartford Board of Education President Stallings has made plenty of mistakes during his tenure. Yet, this deal with Darly Roberts is a disgrace and a total waste of money. This is dirty Hartford politics. Hartford students suffer once again while another job is added to the HBE roster. Stallings and his wild spending is disgusting. Roberts will take whatever he can. Roberts new position will be added to his pension. Sick!

Anonymous said...


Pork Chop came to work the other day she said she had
No time To Shower.please Christine shower and brush your teeth
please.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps its lack of investigation is due to the fact the perp is not male ....

Anonymous said...

This is what happens when you select a superintendent based on politics, race, gender, and personal story, as opposed to years of educational experience in the classroom and overwhelming success in all aspects of how schools should function. If Tim Sullivan were selected as the superintendent of Hartford public schools the school system would be on its way to repair, professionally, educationally, and financially. As of right now The Hartford public schools are more screwed up than ever. It's a leadership problem!

Anonymous said...

Everything must be ok since neither the mayor,council or BOE has complained and took action.Now stop your whining and go pay your taxes so they can spend it. Lol

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:22 am - don't be fooled - tim sullivan was Bronin's candidate of choice, and Leslie outsmarted Luke. Juan Hernandez flipped his vote, and Luke lost his choice because he miscounted his votes, thinking he had Juan, but Leslie turned his vote. Do not for a moment underestimate the political skillset of the superintendent.

Anonymous said...

Leadership is hard to find in Hartford. The Hartford Board of Education has had no direction in many years. Leslie Torres wanted the job. And she got it. Everything is racial. Darly Roberts wanted to be Security Guard at over $100,00 a year. BOE President Stalling mad it happen. Tim Sullivan did not become the Top Man of Hartford schools. However, he got a great gig from CREC with plenty of COSTLY fringe benefits.Make parents be responsible and involved. Then, we will see a future for students and we can STOP paying these GIGANTIC salaries for Hartford and CREC. Remember every Superintendent has "CABINETS" with huge salaries. Duh!!!

Anonymous said...

STOP in the name of Hartford money. BOE President Stalling, Superintendent Lesile Torres, Darly Roberts are clueless. Thinking Hartford grass is green. Extra, extra Hartford's BOE lawns are full of weeds and straw.

Anonymous said...

Hey kozi,

Matthews was not the only one who were aware of freddy's issues. The current EAP coordinator knew just as much. zero done. so its ok to pass the blame around. maybe the times have changed, but the same antics and detrimental actions still exist. Loose lips sink ships.....

Anonymous said...

Anon@10:06

I think you're overestimating Leslie's political skill set. If Tim made a political mistake it was that of honesty. He stated exactly what he was going to do in cutting 8 million dollars from the central office wasteful spending machine. Isn't that the basis for this "we the people" blog post? If you attended the public formum when the final two candidates appeared you would've seen that Tim absolutely destroyed her in his answers despite the fact that one of the questions was intentionally a set-up question against him. Tim had the overwhelming support of the majority of Hartford teachers and school administrators but it was Leslie who got the job because of the fat cats associated with central office who just wanted to continue feeding themselves at the expense of the kids.

Anonymous said...

This is disgusting! meanwhile Princial's in all Hartford schools are getting phone calls from the OTM office telling them to cut essential support staff, paras and other admins so they can help cover a 9 million dollar currently hanging over the BOE.

Anonymous said...

@ 9:41 Gut the schools to keep hiring the big cats downtown? Sounds like more of the same. I thought the school closings was suppose to save money? Is that a big lie too? I would like to know how much we are saving from school closing, details by school or other savings from the closing like principals, buses. Meanwhile stallings says BOE has zero control over hiring or cuts but yet the BOE is responsible for approving superintendent appointments and approving the budget. More lies?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 7:34, She got the job bc of stallings and if I can be honest bc she was Latina and they needed the Latina vote not bc she was the most qualified or had a clue what she is doing. many staff, depts and schools have cut and taken on multiple jobs. Some staff doing 2,3, 4 or even more jobs at the pay they got hired to do 1. And some happily do it for the greater good and to pitch in, problem is they see while she overworks some and tells them it’s expected they see she turn around and bring in “selected friends” at high salary to do less than 1 job. Or has created jobs for them where none existed. Now u have these staff, depts and schools along with unions asking why they be asked to continue sacrificing while she and her “friends” getting taken care of on the taxpayer back. Add to that she has a complicit board afraid to challenge her or even ask her tough questions with the exception of Cotto who was vocal. What reward did he get? Well his neighborhood is Batchelder so do us think Batch closing was coincidence? There is no savings with Batch closing. This was payback to Cotto and the families and students suffer from these games. And just ask did we need another high school? The answer was no. But was Weaver on the chop block to save $100 million? Of course not bc that is former school of stallings and others on the board. The culture at the HPS esp with chair stallings and Dr leslie is shut up, fall in line and never ask tough questions or demand answers. If u do, we will pay u back with targeting you, your school, your dept,your neighborhood. Payback is swift and not so sweet from these so called leaders. This is more of the same and ppl just wont believe it until they see for themselves. Time will reveal all those secrets and lies they try so hard to hide.

Anonymous said...

The Supt only hires Puerto Ricans. All new hires have been Puerto Ricans. The Supt has no use for blacks or whites. Since she has been Supt, there have been 5 whites and 3 blacks in supervisory positions that have resigned (asked to leave) by this Supt. I thought the Board was her boss. Craig Stallings I think you have lost control.

Anonymous said...

The Supt only hires Puerto Ricans. All new hires have been Puerto Ricans. The Supt has no use for blacks or whites. Since she has been Supt, there have been 5 whites and 3 blacks in supervisory positions that have resigned (asked to leave) by this Supt. I thought the Board was her boss. Craig Stallings I think you have lost control.

Anonymous said...


They only hire Puerto ricans if you are White
Don't even try to apply you won't be hired.

A Clear Case of Htfd Politics Puerto Ricans only
Who cant do the job. Reverse Racism.

Anonymous said...

Boe is looking at 15m shortfall according to the superintendent but is hiring cabinet level positions? She cut 20 instructional coaches at schools and is looking to cut assistant principals deans teachers and paras but is adding at cabinet level and the boe says nothing about this at the budget meeting? When are they held accountable? This is outrageous!

Anonymous said...

So I see that you only approve comments that serve in your best interest. why not have an open forum??? So much negativity here and nothing positive is being posted. We as a race are so conditioned to focus on peoples negative, why not do something good and allow for positive comments in your blog.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

No comments have been withheld. Try it again and make sure you are doing it correctly

Anonymous said...

I bet you’d make it to the interview stage no matter what race you are and your last name is Hernandez. Lol.

33% of Hartford’s residents are Puerto Rican. Is this indicative of the BOE’s hiring practices? Should it’s hiring practices reflect Hartford’s diverse community? Perhaps it should but let’s face it. Diversity is code for anti white. As far as I can tell, Latinos are of European descent.

Anonymous said...

Stallings is weak and a reverse racist as well.

Jose said...

What state treasurer candidate is an item with Mirabel La Luz ?

Anonymous said...

Kev, WHY THE REMOVAL OF YOUR RECENT POST OF HPD’S “ARSON SQUAD” I MEANT “ BOMB SQUAD” DEBACLE ????,DID THE NEW CHIEF DIAL IN A FAVOR AND ASK YOU TO REMOVE IT????? Very confused!!!!

Anonymous said...

Agreement expressed. Every person in a city job or an elected official is a shining bright star. Please give me a brake. Hartford has corruption just like everywhere else.

Anonymous said...

Kevin, WHY DID YOU TAKE DOWN BOMB SQUAD ACCIDENTAL FIRE POST??????

Anonymous said...

Kev,Why did you remove post related to HPD bomb squad “ controlled burn” ????? Why won’t you respond to several requests? Something seems sketchy!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know anything about a racially insensitive comment that a black asst. chief made to a white firefighter or the apology he was ordered to make?

Anonymous said...

Hartford BOE is stupid and corrupt. Nothing new here.

Anonymous said...

9:44 PM ,,,DID THEY HIRE BACK “THE KING OF ALL RACISTS “ BILLY SMITH TO ASSISTANT CHIEF????? IF THEY COULDN’’T GET BILLY TO APOLOGIZE TO THE IRISH,HOMOSEXUALS,JEWS ,ITALIANS AND ALL THE OTHERS HE DISPARAGED 20 YEARS AGO AS CHIEF,,,,HOW ARE THEY GONNA MAKE HIM NOW???? I WISH I STARTED A “ ME TOO” MOVEMENT BACK THEN RELATED TO ALL THE WHITE BOYS BILLY SMITH THREATENED ( IN MOST CASES BEHIND THEIR BACK BECAUSE DEEP DOWN HE IS A BIG PU$$Y) !!!!! DONT WORRY YOU LIBERAL READERS HARTFORD IS GONNA LOOK LIKE BALTIMORE IN A FEW YEARS AND THEY’LL HAVE THEIR “OWN” MAYOR TO GIVE “ GIVE THEM SPACE TO DESTROY” THEIR “OWN” CITY.. THE ONLY FAVOR THIS WHITE BOY ASKS IS TO PUT A WALL AROUND YOUR BORDERS AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE AT IT!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Kev, What about the stellar Hartford firefighter who was just recently arrested by HPD?

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

1:27pm

I’m not entirely sure, but I think you might be referring to now “former” Hartford Firefighter Henry Biffle. You can read more about his stellar career with HFD by typing his name in the search bar above. I have requested the arrest report from HPD last week, but it has not been provided yet

Anonymous said...

Hey 1215 pm Blacks can't be racist you why cause they didn't create Racism white people did go cry a river An walk off a short pier

Anonymous said...

What happened at HFD, did a white guy interrupt one of Rodneys video games?
If it was a whitey making insensitive comments to Barco, he would be on channel 3 by now, and looking for a lawyer and a new job! I'm assuming it's a whitey because the blacks call each other slurs all day long at the firehouse and that's allowed. So, any new promotions gifted out today at HFD? I hear it's pretty much sign here if you want a promotion lately, nice! Why waste $$ on a test when you can just hand out promotions like a bank does lollipops? So much for studying and taking a written/oral combination.
I'll believe Biffle is fired when Kevin writes about it, and then the courant copies it from Kevin!

Anonymous said...

Biffle is on judicial website,

Anonymous said...

Hey 2:54 PM,,Blacks can’t be racist? Well they sure know how to discriminate!! “REAL-TIME” DICRIMINATION “TRUMPS” DISCRIMINATION FROM OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO!!!! PUT AWAY THAT “CARD” FOR GOOD ,,, IT’S INEFFECTIVE!!!!

Anonymous said...

Racism is defined as a prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. So by this definition black people can be racist. And by the way the first written acknowledgment of slavery was in Hammurabi's Code back in 1750 B.C.

Anonymous said...

Your tears taste good keep em coming

Anonymous said...

Does typing in caps help you get your point across or do you need glasses ?

Anonymous said...

HBOE budget hearing last night.... presented by Supt making $260,000 a year... doesn’t have a budget to present or share. She spends 20 minutes explaining a PowerPoint presentation that was intentionally too small on the screen to see any real numbers and talks about mitigating strategies to save money. Yet, admits that there is a 9 million dollar shortfall knowing that it is very late in budget season. New CFO is not there. BOE then votes to approve two new cabinet positions and yet another consulting contract (apparently not smart enough to do the job she was hired to do without consultants). Not one union (teachers, paras, administrators) was here to speak against the massive cutbacks in staffing at our schools. Shaking my head.... This is her 2nd budget season as Supt and has named “operational efficiencies” as a priority yet her actions clearly show a lack of efficiencies. Kishimoto and Narvaez only lasted two budgets... just saying.

Oh... and did you see that Birks in New Haven just closed three schools in New Haven in one BOE meeting without fancy brochures, consultants, and meaningless PowerPoints??

Anonymous said...

Well i tell you waht you show me anywhere in history where black people as a collective were racist towards any group of people examples institutionalized racism Jim Crow Civil Rights Slavery etc please run that BS on someome who doesn't know World and American history again can blacks be bigots yes racists no

Anonymous said...

4:34 AM ,,,AS LONG AS FISH LIKE YOU KEEP SWALLOWING THE “WHOLE” WORM ,,,,I’M GONNA KEEP TYPING IN CAPS !!!! I’LL THROW YOU BACK IN JUST A MINUTE,,,,,,HEY DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE KNOWN MENTALLY ILL HENRY BIFFLE FELL UNDER THE CITY OF HARTFORDS STUPID AND DANGEROUS PRACTICE OF HIRING “ONLY” HARTFORD RESIDENTS FOR HFD??? ALSO ,DID HE GET FIRED AS A DRIVER OR A CAPTAIN ???? DOES ANYONE ELSE REMEMBER WHEN BIFFLE WAS INTRODUCING HIMSELF AS AN OFFICER WHILE HE WAS IN TRAINING AS A PROBIE?? 4:34 AM ,I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT YOU LITTLE BUDDY,,,HERE YOU GO ,BACK IN THE WATER,,, SPLASH,,,,HOPE TO CATCH YOU OR ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS SOON!!!! I HOPE ONE DAY HUMAN RESOURCES TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT,,,LIKE HIRING THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB!!!

Anonymous said...

Kevin, do you know if the marb oversight approved these latest appointments and contracts? I believe the oversight is applicable to the boe and means marb gets to review and approve contracts in excess of 100k. Does this violate marb and put Hartford’s funding under marb in jeopardy? Superintendent says she need to mitigate another 9 million in costs but turns around and adds 800k not including benefit costs to the budget at yesterday’s meeting. That doesn’t add up. City needs marb funding and the boe should not put that in jeopardy by this foolishness.

Anonymous said...

@4:25

How far didn't you get in grade school?

Anonymous said...

Seems as though the BOE currently operates with hubris and entitlement to educate Hartford’s youthful citizenry. Clearly its mathematics curriculum is not effective. Remember everyone, these are educators and they know better.......

Anonymous said...

@5:19pm

The BOE doesn't fall under the MARB. Please get your facts correct before speaking about things as if you know what your talking about. Most of the BOE funds come from FEDERAL and STATE GRANTS and FUNDING. Nevermind the fact that COH FLATFUNDS the children of Hartford.

Anonymous said...

Why does the Superintendent Ridgefield Connecticut who plagiarizes a letter gets fired and the Superintendent in Hartford does the EXACT SAME thing and not one person mention it? Not even here on We the People. Until we start holding the Superintendent to high standards continue to expect the what you get from our students - low/poor education. Wake up Hartford. Get mad about something and do something. Is anyone concerned that ALL of her high paying cabinet members are all less than one year on the job.

Anonymous said...

@7:28

The members of the Hartford Board of Education and the superintendent and her cabinet are not educators. The real educators are those in the schools working with the students. The superintendent was a social worker, NEVER a teacher!! The rest of the cabinet has barely any experience, if any experience at all teaching students. Is there any wonder why the school system is the way it is? Get rid of the superintendent, get rid of the Board of Education, and bring in someone that knows what they're doing like Tim Sullivan. Within one year, or less, he will have this school system on the road to recovery.

Anonymous said...

@5/16/18 11:42pm, Perhaps you should get your facts straight too. Please refer to “Distressed Municipalities Assistance and Accountability Provisions of Public Act 17-2” passed by the state and legislators. Both the municipality and its “BOARD Of EDUCATION” are bound by the provisions of the legislation and must seek approval for contracts, bargaining and non-bargaining contracts in excess of 100k to be reviewed and approved by MARB. If you type in MARB OPM in your search browser you will see the list of items and agendas for MARB which has included the Hartford BOARD of EDUCATION. In fact, MARB already voted down one of the BOARD of EDUCATION proposed collective bargaining agreement with the school security guards on April 5, 2018. You will also find the BOE budget presentation and I use the word “budget” loosely as it really isn’t a budget but rather a works in progress document,. So I say,WHO NEEDS TO GET THEIR FACTS STRAIGHT? SMH!!

Anonymous said...

@5:19

That comment looks very similar to the posting that Stallings made on Facebook. Was that you Craig?

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

5:57

Thank you very much for your research and clarification.

Anonymous said...

In relation to the comments about MARB and the BOE, the city does contribute over $90 million of city taxpayer funds to the schools. Even if it flat funds the schools, that $90 million will be looked at under the MARB oversight just like every other city expense. The BOE should welcome the oversight as they need Leaders with solutions and those appear to be in short supply.

Anonymous said...

Change takes time, be patient and watch the progress unfold.