While some folks here have been fretting that Newton school students would be traumatized by the School Committee’s decision to retain Superintendent of Schools David Fleishman following revelations that he plagiarized parts of his commencement speeches, Jenna Fisher from the TAB, actually spoke to some of these kids to find out how they’re holding up.
Newton students on David Fleishman plagiarism incident
by Greg Reibman | Aug 5, 2014 | David Fleishman | 11 comments
I have tried to take in the various news accounts on this Super-gate. With respect to the the Newton paper, the publication has said: “(t)here is no public support for firing Fleishman. Most Newton parents seem happy to cut their losses. Why ruin a good career over a mistake?”
Because I don’t think a publication could have the level of insight on what ” most” Newton individuals have on any issue, this article is not something I can assume as directionally accurate. But it might be.
Hoss, while you are correct, your assessment is incomplete. It is equally fallacious to assume from the shrill voices of a few on these blogs and on the editorial board of the Tab that there is in fact broad support for removal of Dr. Fleishman. This is precisely why we have an elected school committee where the voting booth provides a well defined process for the public to express its opinion.
Elmo, I would be more inclined to agree with you if the School Committee itself had followed the “well defined process” for conducting meetings in executive session to discuss this matter. They did not. What is the community to think when its the people it elects to represent the public fail to fulfill their legal obligations?
On the whole, I think the student opinions published in the TAB were balanced and reasonable, in stark contrast to the letters received from the community.
House keeping note to the person who just attempted to post a long comment accusing this blog of censoring your views: We encourage all views here and I think that’s pretty clear if you read the discussion on this issue. We did not post your original comment because we could not verify your email address in keeping with our commenting rules
Feel free to try again but I suggest you lose the chip on your shoulder.
Mr. Hess-Mahan, you are conflating two issues here: (1) what the community is to think of the SC’s use of executive session and (2) what the community is to think of the actions of Dr. Fleishman. The two are related, but not the same. The subject of this thread in general and Hoss’ comment in particular is in fact the second.
In that regard, what the public is to think, depends on the ability of the public to “think” in the first place. Most of the more vocal posters on this blog demonstrate a great ability to “feel,” but their facility with logical thought is lacking. As such, their response provides no more basis for quantifying broad public opinion on the Fleishman matter than the quantitatively unsupported assertions cited by Hoss.
As for the first issue, the SC certainly did itself, Dr. Fleishman, and Newton no favors in terms of the logistics in its handling of the issue. Whether they acted illegally however is a matter for a judge to determine, not a member of the Board of Alderman. By injecting that word into the conversation, you further degrade the level of discourse here.
Mr. Elmo (if that is, indeed, your real name), I am stating my opinion as an attorney who has represented members of the public regarding claims under the public records and open meeting laws. A judge, or more accurately, the Attorney General’s office, will, indeed, determine whether the School Committee failed to comply with the Open Meeting Law. I note that the Newton TAB reports that it has filed a complaint. But I would add that Matt Hills has conceded the School Committee made a “mistake” when it failed to file adequate notice of the meetings it held in executive session to discuss the charges of plagiarism against the Superintendent. I think that the AG’s office could and probably will take judicial notice of that fact in making its determination.
Regardless, when government fails to follow procedural and substantive rules which are there to ensure the openness and transparency of its proceedings, I firmly believe that the people who are governed have every reason to question its decisions and to seek redress. If you honestly believe that saying so “degrade[s] the civil discourse here” you are certainly entitled to your opinion. For my part, I would give your opinion greater weight if you used your real name. Because you use a pseudonym, however, there is no way to know whether you have a dog in this hunt or whose water you are carrying so that all of us could weigh your opinion accordingly. For all we know, you could be a red, furry Muppet who speaks in a falsetto voice.
Elmo, I doubt I will/could change your opinion; however let me offer some thoughts for you.
First, it would help Hoss, and others, if the TAB was able to provide a more balanced view of these issues by posting letters to the editor expressing support for DF and the SC. I just received this week’s paper copy. There are 4 letters, a guest column and a political cartoon expressing displeasure with DF and the SC; none supporting them. I am confidant Emily would welcome the opportunity to offer a more balanced perspective. Other news sources seem to offer a similar ratio. How is Hoss, and others, suppose to make a more complete assessment without source material? Are you the voice of reason that Hoss should hear?
Second, THM is an intelligent, articulate, trained in the law individual who is always well prepared. I suggest you improve your debating skills with someone like me before you take on the varsity. There are better techniques in debating THM than using emotionally charged words and insults. Just my opinion.
@Patrick: To date, the TAB has not received any letters or columns from Newton residents supporting the actions of the Superintendent or School Committee. If and when they come in, we will run them.
@Elmo: The TAB has not called for David’s removal.
Emily, thank you for validating my comment. I do not always agree with your position on specific issues. However I consider you to be a person that welcomes, and seeks out, comments for both sides of the issues affecting Newton so as to make sure the TAB readers can be fully informed.
I doubt anyone will contact tbe Tab supporting either the Superintendent’s or the School Committee’s actions. As for supporting tbe Superintendent himself, it seems the students mentioned in the title do.