To Start:
Although AMSA has a fine staff of teachers, great parents and terrific students it still has some very serious issues.
Issues at AMSA - among them basic freedom of speech. Below are many more:
Headlines and Major Issues: (More below and much more available)
- Likely
eviction or forced move from
- AMSA
Foundation Money Unaccounted For and Not being Used for AMSA or Students
as promised.
- Violations
Continue of Federal and State Laws Impacting Student Records which impact Students’ Futures
- BOT is
Self-Selected with No Open Selection Process and No Oversight
- No
Open Forum for Parents and No Open Complaint Process offered by AMSA
- Intentionally
understaffing Gym. This decision
has resulted in numerous student injuries, along with other shorted areas
because of budget diversion to Building fights and other wasteful
actions
- Unqualified,
Inexperienced Leadership on the BOT and in the Administration
Please add your thoughts to the above and any information you have or would like.
These are serious issues and need to be addressed. Many people have tried to get the BOT and Administration to communicate or address with no luck to date.
Below is the Job Description from the Board of Trustees' (BOT) for the Executive Director Position when Adm. McGann Retired - did the BOT get the right person for the Job in John Brucato? Please comment after reading the job description. Thank you.
Director of the Advanced Math & Science Academy Job Description
The Advanced Math & Science Academy in Marlborough, MA is seeking a new
Executive Director. Our ideal candidate will be seeking a once in a lifetime opportunity to lead an already extraordinary school to the vanguard of STEM education. The Advanced Math & Science Academy is a public charter school founded on the belief that all students can and should learn at a level that reflects their highest potential. We believe that children of all backgrounds and abilities can excel in all subjects, especially in math, science and technology, empowering them to succeed in our modern technology-driven world. AMSA was founded in 2005 with students in grades 6 and 7. Our pioneer class will graduate in June, 2011, with 98% of graduates heading to four year colleges. Total enrollment at AMSA is now at its maximum of 966, with a waiting list of over 500 students already on file for September, 2011.
Our new Executive Director will lead a community of people who are passionate about educating kids. S/he will be a visionary leader with experience in developing and delivering the best practices of education across all curricula. Ideally s/he will have a strong background in math, science or engineering, (Master’s or Doctoral degreepreferred) in keeping with the mission of the Advanced Math & Science Academy. We are looking for a person with a record of favoring innovation over tradition, and of making students’ success the top priority.
Candidates should have teaching experience at the middle or high school level, and at least five years experience in secondary education leadership with a proven record of academic excellence. Our new Director’s responsibilities will include academic and operational leadership within the Academy, including:
• Maintaining our culture of excellence and high expectations for faculty and
students;
• Mentoring lead teachers and assist in the selection and evaluation of faculty;
• Selecting and providing professional development opportunities for faculty &
staff;
• Understanding the importance of integrating important concepts and topics
among curricula and across grade levels;
• Being committed to collaboration among the faculty and with the Board of
Trustees;
• Seeking partnerships with like-minded schools worldwide, to share best
practices, and with universities and technological companies to bring state of the art knowledge and real word experience to our teachers and students;
• Leading engagement with elected officials and public agencies, such as the
Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Charter
Public School Association.
• Cultivating public and private sources for financial and in-kind contributions to the Academy.
Candidates interested in this position should forward their resume to
ED-search@AMSACS.org
Show me the proof to all these accusations
ReplyDeleteWhat would you like to see? Can post the docket number regarding the building case which was filed at Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn or you can find it yourself. Would this suffice? The rest of the proof can be found in published AMSA minutes or documents such as: the BOT minutes for quite a bit of information about the Foundation, spending, gym issues and other items. The AMSA By-laws about the complaint process, the BOT selection and other areas, the AMSA Student Handbook which does not address many subjects like student records correctly. The web - look up Student Records requirements under FERPA - Federal or DESE - MA. Do you think the school is properly following Student Records regulations.
DeleteDoes the above help answer your question? Do you want us to post specific items from the above publications? Happy to. Please let us know what you think after you review some of the items. Glad you responded. Thank you.
I would be particularly interested in the lip service and record keeping issues mentioned. These speak to the core of issues I've had with the school.
DeleteHi and thank you for your post. AMSA's administration and BOT believe that parents, students and staff only need to be told what the Administration and BOT believe is what is needed. Any request for information that we have made, or request for clarification or question is met with hostility, defensiveness and statements - if you don't like something - just leave. Lip Service - meaning tiny bits of information are provided only when external pressure is placed or it is in the interest of the BOT or Admin. Parents including us have been threatened or told their child's safety is at risk. We need parents to speak up, ask questions and demand communication on important issues that impact their children.
DeleteAs for student records - AMSA is in violation of state and federal regulations and laws. The records have improved in the last year due to pressure from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and continued requests from us and other parents. That said - student records are a basic function of a a school. AMSA's record keeping does not follow state and federal laws and DESE directives and does not include required information - after school activities, sports and honors and includes information of non-educational value like parents emails, details about students that do not belong, partial information...
In addition AMSA does not inform parents and students properly about their rights to review records, leaves out information about the process including options for appeals and other areas. We know that files sent to other schools when children transfer have been incorrect, riddled with damaging information that does not belong and/or incomplete. Attendance records are partially correct and other problems. Hope this helps - happy to provide additional information if you like. Please let us know. Thank you.
Thanks for your reply. I can attest to the attendance records issue without fail. They are consistently mixing things up and I have had to correct those records for years now. I've had to keep my own extensive records to avoid going to court. Not only that, but they can't seem to keep our home address correct/updated across the multiple systems, either.
DeleteI don't understand any of these parents' concerns. As a student at AMSA, I can safely say that if your children are trying in the slightest, they are receiving one of the best educations possible.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYour post is interesting and hits some good points, although our blog really is not about swear words in the class. You have hit upon one of our points- respect. Parents and students have been treated with blatant disrespect by AMSA's Administration and BOT.
DeleteSo we expect the "punishment" you mention and ask that the situation be corrected or addressed, sounds like we agree. Do you think the Admin and BOT should be held to the same rules in regards to respecting others? In this case the "punishment" is simply facing facts and hopefully addressing them.
As for your 2nd paragraph - AMSA is a FULLY Public school and as such must abide by all rules, laws of the US and MA and PUBLIC Charter schools. Just as above there should be responsibility, accountability and actions if rules, laws and regulations are violated. Claiming ignorance as you say - is not an excuse. So what would your remedy be for lack of respect for parents by the BOT and Admin, and that the BOT and Admin break rules, laws and regulations?
Do you like that you are required to follow rule and laws but the BOT and Admin are not? Should someone review the conduct of the BOT and Admin? Let us know what you think. Thank you.
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DeleteHi Eldridge, thank you for your response. You make our major point - the administration does not listen nor communicate in our opinion and we think that is a problem. As for the AMSA facebook page that is monitored and this topic, along with many others have been removed by the Facebook page monitors. So where are their open discussion sites? Do you know of any? Please let us know. Why do you think the administration will not listen? Do you think this is a good or bad situation? Thank you again.
DeleteCharter Schools are a form of public school, Edridge. Even if they weren't, your rights do not end at the school yard gate.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris.
DeleteThere is renewed interest in our blog and another parent blog http://amsa.boardhost.com/ based upon the latest acts of AMSA's current BoT, Executive Director and Principal in deciding not to renew Kelly Powers a Nationally recognized Computer Science Teacher and then not letting her complete the school year - thus harming students in many grades. Further other teachers have been fired or walked out for reasons ranging from talking to other teachers, talking on their own time about the idea of a teachers union or for filing a complaint or concern with the ED or Principal. It is awful and will continue to get worse.
ReplyDeleteThe Building issues continue and while AMSA cannot retain quality teachers it continues to throw large sums of money at a law suit that has been going on since 2011 with no end in sight. This year over $300,000 budgeted for legal over 1000% greater than most Charter Schools. This is coming from the Education budget. Meanwhile the buildings are not being properly maintained and your children and the staff are being exposed to high levels of mold and poor air exchange. Plenty more - please speak up and share your experiences so others can see. Please attend BoT meetings and speak up - the next BoT meeting is May 21 at 6:30pm at the school.