Courtesy of the SUN
When you have NOTHING to lose, you can make the choice to stand and fight instead of keeping silent and running away. Superintendent Mary Jo Santoro has made that choice.
SHE HAS NOTHING TO LOSE, SHE IS ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE AND CAN DECIDE WHETHER SHE WANTS A CONTRACT OR NOT (AND MY BET IS IF SHE SO CHOOSES SHE HAS THE 5 VOTES REQUIRED TO GET ONE).
This harassment Charge is NOT ABOUT A CONTRACT ! I was WRONG when I claimed that but unlike others I admit when I am wrong.
What it is about, is a Woman who has risen through the ranks into a Management position who feels that a particular school committee member since being elected has chosen to harass her for the purpose of getting her either non renewed or forced her into retirement and because she is a female, treats her differently than he treats men in her administration and his fellow committee members.
She has chosen to take a stand and fight this. She had watched the only other female Superintendent of that school be harassed to a point it affected her health and drove her into retirement. She has chosen not to go that route and has taken a stand to fight against this type of behavior.
Is she right? I don’t think so but I have to admit that I don’t know what has gone on off camera or when the camera isn’t on this person and what he has said to her in private . I do know I have disagreed with some comments he has made on City Life about the school but I don’t think he intentionally tried to harass her. At least I am hoping this isn’t the case but I am willing to give Supt. Santoro the chance to present her case and let people far more qualified than I make that determination.
We will not know that until a formal charge is made and she has presented evidence to support her claim and his rebuttal
I do find it somewhat funny / ironic that Left In Lowell who carried Liz Warrens mantra that Scott Brown was against women seem to have already before any evidence is presented chosen to defend a Male Politician over a female Superintendent.
I also know a number of politicians, people associate with fundraising for a particular charity and some media people who are smiling from ear to ear over the negative publicity Left In Lowell and their leader is facing. The Superintendent wants everyone to know that she will not be bullied or accept personal attacks from anyone.
Again when you are in the position that you don’t have to worry about your job but are more interested in saving your reputation and legacy you are empowered to fight back regardless.
I also think it ironic that Left in Lowell was a large part of the attack from Move Lowell Forward on the Tech School yet they never attack the Lowell School Committee or City Council as a whole or institution. They attack individuals they disagree with on occasions like Rodney and Rita but never the group as a whole or question why they can’t provide the same information the Tech Board/School supplies. Instead they aim at a group of people who aren’t really that politically connected.
Look at all the information on the Tech School Websites dealing with contracts for everyone,try to find that on the City of Lowell or Lowell School Depts. Website…they aren’t there. No Manager’s Contract or Supt. contracts available easily for the public. No Teachers contract or Custodian contracts to look at.
Here’s what you find when you search the word contracts on the Lowell School Dept.Site: Copies of respective contracts are available from authorized union representatives. YOU HAVE TO ASK A UNION REP WHERE/HOW YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT.
Where is the cry from this site about open government and transparency from the City Council and City Schools? Oh wait THEIR GOBs and binkies are in fact elected to those boards.
Again I ask everyone to step back and let the process take place without continuing attacks against the Superintendent. Let us give her the same right to due process that we would want for our wives, daughters, sisters, husbands, brothers and friends.
I am not thrilled that someone is in trouble but I am thrilled that justice will be served. Lynne and Jack have both been saying very mean and untrue things for a long time about people and now hopefully it will finally stop.
What I would love to see is Left in Lowell go the same way Dracut after Dark went because as far as I am concerned they are equal. They bring nothing to the table but hate.
Having been a victim of their evil ways back when I ran for re-election to the Voke School Board I know first hand what they are capable of.
I envy Mary Jo for having the guts to stand up and say ” I won’t take it I will not be threatened by you .
So far, Ms. Santoro is handling herself appropriately, unlike Lynne Lupien who’s not only uninformed about the matter (admittedly so), but she uses language that’s appalling, if not vicious, leading into a holiday about peace and sharing. If she’s trying to make a contribution, this isn’t the way.
Left in Lowell is full of angry, bitter, ignorant individuals who express nothing but hate. I’m sorry their lives are so bad that they have nothing better to do but there’s no need to be making uninformed, uneducated comments about people they don’t even know. Ms Santoro has handled herself professionally and appropriately throughout her entire career as an educator and administrator. I’m glad she is standing up for herself and not allowing anyone to drive her out of her position. Anyone who knows her knows this is not about a contract, this is about defending her reputation and her character. If nothing else, the truth will prevail. You go girl!
Thank God we finally have intelligent reasonable comments to read! True I agree with these comments but if I disagreed, I could certainly do it respectfully without personal attacks. Do you all realize that when you barrage people on a personal level you are attacking someone’s daughter, son, mother, father, brother or sister and best friend? And hurt all those people too. Hate spreads and destroys. It doesn’t build a community. Since Mary Jo became principal and then superintendent, the academic rigor has increased, scores have improved consistently, students involvement in community service has sored! Just to name a few positive things that have occurred since she took on leadership roles. As a Director of Special Education she was the main voice of advocacy for students to “even the playing field” as she so often has said. Parents come to GL from other communities and tell us what a relief it is not to have to fight for the support their child needs because the philosophy of the school is to do whatever it takes to help students learn what they need to know to be successful in life. This is her true legacy along with her strength to fight this battle. I applaud her for not allowing bullies to dictate her life. She is a great role model for women everywhere. I’m not going to read any more blogs so that I can have a peaceful joyous holiday season. I pray all of you have the same and that this doesn’t turn cruel from here.
We try to teach our kids about bulling in school. Here’s a great example of how it is done on the internet.