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Agreed. This city, MPS are not ready for the change tht is truly needed to turn the schools around. When teachers in the system are sending their kids out of the system - that send quite a message to the rest of us. I may not have agreed with how he handled the situation, but I dont think anyone who is willing to make hard decisions is going to bring their career here. And it's the kids who suffering in the long run...
My son enters kindergarten this year and we're already planning how we can avoid the snake pit is that the Junior and Senior high. My wife works with kids who went there and they were afraid to go to the bathroom at school. That's messed up. Who is in charge here?
I don't get it. Why is this sad? Isn't Pope the guy who made the vice principal quit? And the vice principal was much loved by the students. This sounds like KARMA to me.
How is this sad? This guy had a God complex. He bullied staff and students. He ignored the concerns of the parents, students, and other community members. In this case, the change will be a good thing.
You have know idea. Would love to see how your kids turn out in 8 years . Pope ran a tight ship and held people accountable as well as kids !! Your town did not deserve him ! Good luck
Let's get this district moving in positive direction again! Pope may have sealed his own fate but don't forget he came into Marlborough with some great ideas and did some good things. Let's now get back on track and keep the momentum going!
I agree with Concerned Mother. I also encourage anyone with children in the district to speak to committee members, get involved yourself, and/or attend meetings so that you have a voice early and often and not just when something goes badly.
This is sad news because the entrenched teacher's union has caused the school system once again to force a change in leadership ... a teacher's union that has our schools in horrible shape. Popular Bakr or not, Pope would've led this school system in the right direction.
No he didn't. How would you like, if you're kid was told by the leader of the district to "get out" of his face? And then being threatened for suspension simply because he questioned the Superintendent's motives? What's sad news, is how the MPS reputation looks like to the outside world because of his actions! The teachers union might not be perfect, but this time they stood in support of the students. If you recall, and all you other parents out there who support Dr. Pope, it was the students who spoke out against Dr. Pope FIRST. While they did express support for Bakr, majority of the speech given to the SC was in regards to the Jan 27th incident. I highly urge everyone to re-read the Feb 14th SC meeting article of the MetrowestDailyNews. They have the story there.
How is this anything but bad news??? It's JULY (almost) and school starts in two months. Unless anyone knows something about highly qualified and capable people lining up for the job right NOW--this is not a good thing. What is going on?
Pope was NOT a team player or a leader, whatsoever. I can think of a few people within the district who would be far better. No one forced this change of leadership except Pope himself. Now's the time to move forward. This is a GOOD change!
I am only surprised that it took so long for Marlborough townies to chew up this guy and spit him out. He had no idea what he was signing up for. A highly educated black man coming in and telling us blue collar folks what to do? NO WAY! Perhaps he didn't handle things well, but I wasn't there so I don't know the truth. I do like the direction he took the schools. Too bad Council didn't cough up more $$. What is that 'extra' $ for? I hope we don't go back to the old ways. It would be way too sad for the kids.
To the parents who find this sad, I would like to go back in time to where you are, when my children were just starting their academic studies and being coddled by a great elementary program. Luckily for you the biggest issue the lower schools had to face under his leadership were bus issues.You can't have blinders on to the situation and environment that has prevailed under Dr. Pope's leadership at the Whitcomb and High School.His Stem program (which has a good underlying basis) was poorly implimented at the Whitcomb school. In his original proposal this program was to cost us no money, and was 'sold' to us as an academic advance program. The opposite is what we got. His Stem program resulted in non-stem class sizes going from 25 students to 35 students, resources pulled and put towards stem only. Would you like your child to be in a 1st grade class with 35 students? I wouldn't nor do I want our 6th graders in classrooms that large either. What proceeded was a year of juggling schedules, changing classroom assignments, emergency hiring of teachers, substitutes quitting during the day and choatic classrooms. This even had a big affected on the 5th grade and he claimed it wouldn't. Most importantly the school committee allowed him to impliment a program with a DISCRIMINATORY entrance policy which SEGRAGATED teachers and students. Only entry requirement is the parent did NOT attend college, any remaining spots filled by lottery. It's not an Academic advance program.
Superintendent Pope received exactly what he deserved. Compare Weymouth with Marlborough and there are way to many similarities.
Moving Grade 4 into the elementary schools has caused overcrowding and will be a huge problem when there is an increase in enrollment in the elementary schools. There are many 6/7 to 12 Schools all over the country. The problem in Marlborough is the lack of a transition plan and a need for a K - 12 curriculum.
ICLE and PCG were hired in 2010/11 to develop a strategic plan. Pope didn't start nor bring the strategic plan with him...it was here when he arrived and he moved it forward like any new superintendent should.
STEM isn't his idea...it was talked about by the Admiral and everyone after that and it was put into motion by Superintendent Pope but was filled with lies and deceit.
Having said that - 6 Supers in 8 years signals a systemic problem starting with the old Mayor and School Committee. 9 Curriculum Coordinators in 8 years is a systemic problem. New principal after new principal and again another new Central Office indicates a structure/culture issue. Teachers are not the problem. The city is filled with great students and parents. MPS is in trouble, it is a Level 3 District and it needs to close the achievement gap now or the state will do it for us.
Good luck Marlborough - you did the right thing with demanding a new leader, now lets see if the right thing is going to happen. MPS needs a reformer with a successful record.
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Laura BovaConti
7:57 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Sorry friends, but this is really sad news!
Sonja
8:44 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Yes, I agree .... really sad news!
Two little munchkins
8:49 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Agreed. This city, MPS are not ready for the change tht is truly needed to turn the schools around. When teachers in the system are sending their kids out of the system - that send quite a message to the rest of us. I may not have agreed with how he handled the situation, but I dont think anyone who is willing to make hard decisions is going to bring their career here. And it's the kids who suffering in the long run...
Rush Lemm
9:15 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
My son enters kindergarten this year and we're already planning how we can avoid the snake pit is that the Junior and Senior high. My wife works with kids who went there and they were afraid to go to the bathroom at school. That's messed up. Who is in charge here?
Abby
8:07 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
I don't get it. Why is this sad? Isn't Pope the guy who made the vice principal quit? And the vice principal was much loved by the students. This sounds like KARMA to me.
SARA
8:33 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Teacher
9:05 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
How is this sad? This guy had a God complex. He bullied staff and students. He ignored the concerns of the parents, students, and other community members. In this case, the change will be a good thing.
Kaitlin
6:19 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
You have know idea. Would love to see how your kids turn out in 8 years . Pope ran a tight ship and held people accountable as well as kids !! Your town did not deserve him ! Good luck
Abby
9:16 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
THANK YOU Teacher!
Concerned Mother
9:31 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Let's get this district moving in positive direction again! Pope may have sealed his own fate but don't forget he came into Marlborough with some great ideas and did some good things. Let's now get back on track and keep the momentum going!
April Lowe
10:29 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
I agree with Concerned Mother. I also encourage anyone with children in the district to speak to committee members, get involved yourself, and/or attend meetings so that you have a voice early and often and not just when something goes badly.
Paul Gentile
11:35 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
This is sad news because the entrenched teacher's union has caused the school system once again to force a change in leadership ... a teacher's union that has our schools in horrible shape. Popular Bakr or not, Pope would've led this school system in the right direction.
Rush Lemm
9:16 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Darn teachers are messing up education ((eyeroll))
MhsStudent
1:17 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
No he didn't. How would you like, if you're kid was told by the leader of the district to "get out" of his face? And then being threatened for suspension simply because he questioned the Superintendent's motives? What's sad news, is how the MPS reputation looks like to the outside world because of his actions! The teachers union might not be perfect, but this time they stood in support of the students. If you recall, and all you other parents out there who support Dr. Pope, it was the students who spoke out against Dr. Pope FIRST. While they did express support for Bakr, majority of the speech given to the SC was in regards to the Jan 27th incident. I highly urge everyone to re-read the Feb 14th SC meeting article of the MetrowestDailyNews. They have the story there.
Abby
12:19 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
YAY TEACHERS! "You can't hurt me I'm stickin' to the union..."
Kaitlin
6:21 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Good luck in that school. That school did not deserve such a quality man as Pope !
vickie paquette
12:26 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
How is this anything but bad news??? It's JULY (almost) and school starts in two months. Unless anyone knows something about highly qualified and capable people lining up for the job right NOW--this is not a good thing. What is going on?
Suzanne
7:38 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Pope was NOT a team player or a leader, whatsoever. I can think of a few people within the district who would be far better. No one forced this change of leadership except Pope himself. Now's the time to move forward. This is a GOOD change!
M Burnett
8:32 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Perhaps this time a more THOROUGH background check is in order?
Steve Burnett
8:34 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Agreed! The school committee's track record in searching and vetting is abysmal.
Kaitlin
6:22 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Start checking the background of the people who already work there. Pope was a God send ! You guys blew it
Realist
9:55 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
6 Superintendents in 8 Years what a joke this scholl system is. Unions are killing this country !
Susie Homemaker
1:30 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I am only surprised that it took so long for Marlborough townies to chew up this guy and spit him out. He had no idea what he was signing up for. A highly educated black man coming in and telling us blue collar folks what to do? NO WAY! Perhaps he didn't handle things well, but I wasn't there so I don't know the truth. I do like the direction he took the schools. Too bad Council didn't cough up more $$. What is that 'extra' $ for? I hope we don't go back to the old ways. It would be way too sad for the kids.
Whitcomb Parent
3:22 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
To the parents who find this sad, I would like to go back in time to where you are, when my children were just starting their academic studies and being coddled by a great elementary program. Luckily for you the biggest issue the lower schools had to face under his leadership were bus issues.You can't have blinders on to the situation and environment that has prevailed under Dr. Pope's leadership at the Whitcomb and High School.His Stem program (which has a good underlying basis) was poorly implimented at the Whitcomb school. In his original proposal this program was to cost us no money, and was 'sold' to us as an academic advance program. The opposite is what we got. His Stem program resulted in non-stem class sizes going from 25 students to 35 students, resources pulled and put towards stem only. Would you like your child to be in a 1st grade class with 35 students? I wouldn't nor do I want our 6th graders in classrooms that large either. What proceeded was a year of juggling schedules, changing classroom assignments, emergency hiring of teachers, substitutes quitting during the day and choatic classrooms. This even had a big affected on the 5th grade and he claimed it wouldn't. Most importantly the school committee allowed him to impliment a program with a DISCRIMINATORY entrance policy which SEGRAGATED teachers and students. Only entry requirement is the parent did NOT attend college, any remaining spots filled by lottery. It's not an Academic advance program.
Administrator
10:16 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Superintendent Pope received exactly what he deserved. Compare Weymouth with Marlborough and there are way to many similarities.
Moving Grade 4 into the elementary schools has caused overcrowding and will be a huge problem when there is an increase in enrollment in the elementary schools. There are many 6/7 to 12 Schools all over the country. The problem in Marlborough is the lack of a transition plan and a need for a K - 12 curriculum.
ICLE and PCG were hired in 2010/11 to develop a strategic plan. Pope didn't start nor bring the strategic plan with him...it was here when he arrived and he moved it forward like any new superintendent should.
STEM isn't his idea...it was talked about by the Admiral and everyone after that and it was put into motion by Superintendent Pope but was filled with lies and deceit.
Having said that - 6 Supers in 8 years signals a systemic problem starting with the old Mayor and School Committee. 9 Curriculum Coordinators in 8 years is a systemic problem. New principal after new principal and again another new Central Office indicates a structure/culture issue. Teachers are not the problem. The city is filled with great students and parents. MPS is in trouble, it is a Level 3 District and it needs to close the achievement gap now or the state will do it for us.
Good luck Marlborough - you did the right thing with demanding a new leader, now lets see if the right thing is going to happen. MPS needs a reformer with a successful record.