The Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent may have another problem on his hands.
We hear through the grapevine that Sheldon Berman sits on the Board of Directors of the Center for Applied Special Technologies (CAST) in MA.
CAST has a program called Universal Design for Learning that Berman has pushed for implementation– with tons and tons of money, of course– in the school district. Something that would make the reading program we mentioned the other day look like, you guessed it, chump change.
Berman, we hear, has refused to resign from the Board despite being advised to do so by the attorney for the Board of Education. From what we can tell, he found some sort of ruling that he thinks exempts him.
Thoughts? Is anyone else tired of education officials and their appearances of impropriety?
We fully expect his office to go crazy calling us today, issuing denial after denial. Only to back off a few hours later and owning up to everything, like always.
11 responses so far ↓
1 Novena // Apr 22, 2009 at 4:49 pm
“Little Men, Big Peacock Chests”
Administrators plied with seemingly unlimited power and cults of personality believe they are invulnerable. They wear Superman t-shirts under their Mafia-striped suits. They demand their underlings to repress any questioning of their authority, however irrational. They deny any wrongdoing. They use lawyers for CYA tactics. Louisville really has its share of such folks in P-12 and higher education. God help the little children and hard-working adults who want an education.
2 wc // Apr 22, 2009 at 6:17 pm
This is bad news for JCPS. Even if this super was only just running late at night with Felner’s girlfriend and nothing more and even if this super does not gain from this education board/business relationship, the perception of impropriety is there. Thus, the public will continue and should question his motives and moves. This latest thing reminds me of Sam Stringfield doing research on a school program that his wife worked for. It makes us all question the research, just as in this case, we question whether Universal Designs and Making Meaning are worth shit.
3 Biff Horowitz // Apr 22, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Look out ladies, Sheldon will soon be a single dandy. Beware the educational industrial complex.
4 blowin' in the wind // Apr 22, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Needed: Selfless leadership, wisdom, a touch of humility, a commitment to students, respect for the community. Any takers?
5 Novena // Apr 23, 2009 at 6:37 am
“We Package Schools Like Cheese Crackers”
Blowin,’ you make perceptive points in a few words. But, in our “seeking-a-silver-bullet” society, you may unfortunately be blowin’ in the wind. The kinds of packaged programs brought in by the likes of Sheldon and Sam de-professionalize teachers, stripping them of discretion and autonomy. They also make schools cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all monstrosities that benefit the producers (e.g., Slavin & Sam at Hopkins) above all. School reform has become a mockery because it has forgotten the simple wisdom of Blowin’s message of selflessness, humility and respect for individuals and their individual community cultures.
6 Always Amazed // Apr 23, 2009 at 10:09 am
It’s more about students for sale…..we have 100,000+/-. Who among you wants to experiment with them for your own personal gain? Seems that they are accessible as long as you have the right connections.
Does JCPS have any conflict of interest forms that their employees are supposed to sign? Not that it did any good at UL, but at least it gives the appearance that this is information that should not be kept in the dark of night.
7 Just me // Apr 23, 2009 at 11:27 am
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/156-00/480.PDF
8 Novena // Apr 23, 2009 at 12:05 pm
“Berman’s Breaking Tightrope”
Me thinks Sheldon might well have a serious legal problem. Just me’s link to KY Act 156.480 states that if a person in his position does as it appears, then “his office or appointment shall without further action be vacant.”
JCPS Board and Jack Conway, are you reading this?
9 Novena // Apr 23, 2009 at 2:15 pm
“For Schools, Country, and Triviality”
Always Amazed, sorry I left out the kids in my comment on packaged programs in education. You are indeed right to have their interests at the forefront. I fear that many such programs mold recall-zombies, or scripted robots, who cannot think for themselves in higher-order ways. Many politicians like to create such passive citizens–those who can be made easily pliable to surface responses rather than deep reflection. I’m afraid that’s the America many of these packaged “panaceas” are fast helping to establish as school reformers look in vain (and sometimes with unhealthy monetary profit) for some magical silver bullet. Sorry, Sam and Sheldon.
10 Crutnacker // Apr 23, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Is this really news? Now maybe if he was opening a soccer complex…. maybe.
JCPS has SOOOOO many issues they need to be addressing. Shelly needs to be focusing on making the school system better, not lining his pockets.
But that would require real vision.
11 jcpshope // Apr 23, 2009 at 3:35 pm
resignation with honor. go HOME!
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