Leave A Comment and Nobody Gets Hurt!
Mission statement.
Information is power.
I started this website to provide an open forum where we can discuss all things related to our Town of Hull, Massachusetts. The good, the bad, the bizarre, whatever it may be. This is your forum so feel free to post anything you want but be honest and play nice.
Participation is important.
According to my statistics many people are viewing this site, so please leave a comment when you visit. After all this blog runs on people power.
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Spread the word.
If you have a topic you would like to add or an event to promote, email me at hullblog@comcast.net and I'll get it on here for you.
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This is a family show so keep it clean. No F-bombs, hate speech, threats toward individuals, personal attacks based on race, religion, physical appearance, private lifestyle, etc.
I do not believe in censorship, but I reserve the right to edit comments for the removal of profanity or the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation (In other words, no slander).
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Thanks for reading,
Hullblog
And who does the Web Master identify with?
The clever, heroic and courageous Will Turner or the treacherous and flamboyant Jack Sparrow?
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My Dearest Elizabeth,
Who wouldn't want to say they can identify with both? So I will, although my friends might tell you they think of me more like Captain Barbossa.
(But they be wrong!)
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How much gardening got done this weekend ?
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Hullblog ~ thanks for putting this site together I hope it opens the doors for conversation.
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Thanks for being part of it Chipper.
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I'm amazed that Nancy Dunn's outstanding letter to the editor of The Hull Times has not been posted, nor commented upon as yet. I'd love to see an analysis of layoffs from the high school that she states seem to be retaliatory. People, positions, and course offerings have been shifted, with little effect than to present one way to the public and actually remove only a very few outspoken staff members.
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Truthseeker,
I too am quite awed by the impressive letter Ms. Dunn has scribed. I have just had time to read my weekly paper and too am confused as to the lack of response here. Perhaps tomorrow's times will provide the prose we seek. Again if there is truth in those words, the school system must be questioned.
Regards,
Gerry
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Perhaps Mr. Wholey, for one, is vacationing away from internet access. There is definite truth to Ms. Dunn's words. Some of the few who were released from the high school have already been reinstated in some different form or other - watch closely to see where they will reappear. Also watch for further (and expensive) Boston Globe advertisements for positions that can be filled from within - or in a way that can save the $18,000+ in unemployment insurance that will otherwise be paid to RIF'd staff members. Why are there additional science positions advertised last week (June 28), as well as an "anticipated vacancy" for a Reading/ELA Coach in a separate advertisement at an estimated cost of $1,400 for each of the two separate, large ads? That all adds up to 1/2 of a teacher's salary, without even digging very deeply.
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Hello,
Now that my practicum requirements have been fulfilled, I will have more time for other matters.
If I submit state laws, sc policies, federal laws, and department of education mandates, that pertain to public education, it would be of no interest to the sc members.
The facts are of no interest to our school board. Matters of school committee policy, state laws, federal laws, and department of education data, does not concern them. It is like, "Why are you telling us? Those educational laws are of no concern to us. We know nothing about those matters and would thank you, if you did not mention such matters".
Simple questions, to the sc chairman or chairwoman, cannot or will not be answered.
There are so many parents/guardians that refuse to question anything about the schools, for fear of consequences against their child.
This is no secret, in Hull. Why is it, our school district, has the highest decline in enrollment of any other school district, in the state, since 1985?
This is no secret. Parents/guardians will do whatever they can to keep their children from attending Hull schools.
This is no big secret, either. Parents will tell you that they are concerned about having their child get through high school unscathed. They do not want to cause waves. They just want to protect their children from the vindictive nature of the school district power structure.
it is no secret, our former school committee chairman, Kevin Richardson, does not sat much about much. Three sentences at a time, that is his quota. Kevin Richardson has little to say and he knows that the matters regarding the school system is none of his business. It does not matter to him. He knows that there is no reasonable explanation for what is happening and he just wants to be able to attend the meetings, speak in whispers, and be left alone.
It is no secret that Kevin Richardson speaks softly and as little as possible, hoping that no body will figure out that he does not know what is going on. He has no idea what to do and knows that it is really none of his business.
Kevin just moves from place to place and prays that no one will ask him to speak, regarding the business of education, within the Hull school district. He just listens to the superintendent when making up the agenda and says. 'Ya, sure, why not? It sounds good to me.'
You want to spend $1,200,000 for the administrative wing, at the Jacobs, 'Sure, why not?' You explain to Mr. Richardson that this money ($1,200,000) is not 71% reimbursable, from the state, Kevin Richardson says, 'Why would that be my business? I just want to be left alone to talk to my friends I never said that I knew anything about this job. Someone asked me to run and I said, 'Sure, why not?'
The new sc chair is Stephanie Peters. Here are a few questions for our new sc chairwoman.
Middle School:
Why no foreign languages or computer technology?
High School:
Why no business department, computer tech, or industrial arts?
Mr. Wholey
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"All men are timid on entering any fight. Whether it is the first or the last fight, all of us are timid. Cowards are those who let their timidity get the better of their manhood."
- General George Patton Jr, "War as I knew it" 1947
Jack Wholey keep it up guy, you couldn’t be more accurate with K. Richardson. I’m surprised Evans hasn’t told him to “F” off as well. From what I hear she’s pretty good at it.
What could be better than a passive school committee member? A female foul mouth sc member, (and she’s an educator!!!)
Come on Hull people fix your troops they are slaughtering you and your children!
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That 1.2 million spent on the adimistation wing could have been put towards the town budget. The school committee and the building committee voted for that maybe they should reinburse the town. How stupid can you be, we all know enrollment has been declining. It's time to take our town back and stop letting these idiots make these desions that raise our taxes through the roof! What happend to all those trailers we bought, last I heard they were looking for that tires they lost to move them. If we still have them maybe we should make Phil and Tyrell move out and rent out the admistraion building and make a resurant or another pizza joint out of it. At least we would recoup some of our tax dollars. The revenue could supliment the high admiistrative costs. haha
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It is absurd to believe that soldiers who cannot be made to wear the proper uniform can be induced to move forward in battle. Officers who fail to perform their duty by correcting small violations and in enforcing proper conduct are incapable of leading.”
- General George S. Patton Jr., April 1943
First and foremost, there is great truth to Ms. Dunn’s letter. What a woman. Such a true dedicated educator, and if I had to witness the treatment of my daughter the way she has I probably wouldn’t be so kind with my letter. Bless you Ms. Dunn.
And the comments regarding the staff members that were let go or shifted do not be fooled by the cover up. The reasons will soon be revealed I’m sure. And as always the truth of just what had transpired within the walls of those schools will prevail. It just takes time and we need to be patient. Unfortunately the children who miss out can’t wait for the truth nor will it replace the education they so deserve. Many of the teachers have already voluntarily left the high school knowing what the future will bring, or shall I say NOT bring and because who they are left to work with. I believe some of the ones allowed to stay probably should have been the first ones to go. A teacher’s Professional Status can be the most detrimental element in a child’s education. I heard that one of the teachers that left Hull will be teaching the same subject in another school system that is a mandatory requirement in order to graduate. Hull didn’t even consider this business-tech course worthy to save. The bump and shuffle based on seniority and certification between the three school also creates a problem when trying to see the true picture of what and who was let go, and certainly not why, not yet anyway. Those who are really wondering should probably start with the last principal Ford, and then ask about his issues of gender and ego. Does anyone even know what he did with non tenured teachers regarding the union and their president? If your not too shocked by the results next investigate and examine the hostile relationship between him and his boss Ms. Tyrell, and be sure to ask who and what they used for ammunition when they battled. So many war stories, so little time, so much sorrow for our children.
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Any thoughts on why tonight's School Committee meeting was not televised?
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We know why it was not covered. It was because parents had some real concerns and they did not want them aired out in the public. Thats why the school committee wanted the list of the questions so they could prepare some BS answers!
Last months meeting was on ch 22. Come on!
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Ignorance is dangerous. You lose credibility if you make accusations that just aren't true. Summer meetings have not been televised. There are plenty of real issues that should be discussed and fixed but to throw around false accusations does not help your argument or any situation.
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I'm sorry for my ignorance but come on.. What are they saving $150.00? Isn't it better to let the public know whats going in our schools especially during these difficult times. We have lost everything. Keep the town informed. Could you imagine if the selectman did that we would be in big trouble.
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Thank you for your respectful reply - if more people could have discussions instead of arguments, we would all benefit. I agree that the meetings should be televised - I think the SC, for the most part would too. But that is a different argument. Should it be televised? Yes. Is there a conspiracy? No.
I completely agree with truthseeker. I would want questions in advance so I could give answers - it should be standard procedure.
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The answers seemed reasonable for the most part, and well-prepared/researched, since the questions were provided in advance. That's why I'd have liked to see this information offered with greater accessibility than just to those in the room at the time.
I'd rather provide my concerns in advance and risk receiving "bs answers" than hear "we'll look into it and get back to you". Some healing took place that night - there's a long way to go, but it was a good beginning.
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The School Committee meeting was not televised because HC-TV does not televise them in the summer. This has been the case for the past couple or few years. Some have suggested a "conspiracy" which just pours gas on the fire they lit.
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I suspected that it may have been a summer thing. Still, would have been some good material to be made more easily accessible to the public.
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I am so glad I heard the appology from the school committee member that has the filthy mouth at this weeks SC meeting. The next time maybe they should put pepper on her toungue or wash her mouth out with a bar of soap.
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Would it now be common sense to post the Q & A on the town website (schools)?
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why are so many people afraid to stand up to the police dept? why can the police dept. sacrafice one of their cruisers and put the money towards the school sporting budget for the kids in this town to have some sort of activity without suffering the sad budget crunch the police have to much money in there piece of the pie eight mile town too many officers and cruisers in this size town . let the state police take it over there already paid through your taxes .it would roughly save the town 3million dollars per year.
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This is an uninformed unhappy resident. I suggest attending some Advisory Board meetings or the Budget Information meetings that are held. The Police, Fire, and DPW are all undermanne for the size town!! And by size, I include the geographic and population. We are approx 7 miles long and 1/2 mile wide or 2 1/2 square miles, yet we have 11,000 residents. By definition, that actually makes us urban. We have approx 1200 students, yet spend approx. 12 million dollars on the schools.
We should be asking why the state imposed mandates that are unfunded!!! We should be asking how our school budget monies are spent. There has been virtually no transparency by the school department.
Hull Actually has too few officers on duty for any shift and the State in unable to supply officers to the reservation as well due to the Commonwealth's budget problems.
Let's all please do a little homework before making suggestions that are workable.
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The School Dept. and the Building Committee are to blame. The reason my kid will not have sports at the High School is because they built that enormous Jacobs school. We all knew the enrollment was going down and they still built it. The 1.2 million that was spent on the administration building is what we are looking for to fund the budget this year. Remember this building did not get the 71% reimbursement. The administration should have gone into the 3 exhibition rooms in the Memorial School and the one at the High School. If the Middle School can fit in the Jacobs that means there is plenty of empty space at the Jacobs. What a waste of money. Common sense its right to bad our elected boards have none. I told my son that if the town was smart about our tax dollars he would have sports this year. Please start attending meetings and voice your opinions.
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Wondering if the MBTA uses the same attorneys as Hull School Committee, since they're fighting and losing a lot of cases for a ton of $$. Attorneys seem to be the beneficiaries of the drawn out, lost cases.
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Seriously, does anyone know (or know how to find out) who the T's attorneys are? I can't seem to find that anywhere in any news report throughout history.
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Dewey, Cheatem and Howe Attorneys at Law?
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Laughing here; that's an old chestnut that I have not heard in years - thanks for the chuckle
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It is a good one,I got it from The 3 Stooges. Truth is the MBTA has an army of in house lawyers.
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I am writing in response to some of the posts here and with dismay of recent events. Unhappy resident, although funds within the town could be prorated differently, the police department is not obligated to solve the fiscal hodgepodge of the school department . Animadversion need be focussed towards school committee and the Administrative Staff. I was venturing to bridle unfavorable thoughts towards them, but in light of recent events the desire to remain prudent has diminished. I have been told that in addition to no sports, many students will be in classes of up to 30 or more.
I was aghast when a posting for a reading specialist was recently advertised. I catechized and found that speculation is that this is an effort to reacquire a first year teacher who had the good fortune of being a university student of the Assistant Superintendent. I veritably desire this to be false, yet find myself consistently faced with truths that one would have thought to be inconceivable.
It is our burden as taxpayers and voters to stay apprised. Also, unfortunately be cognizant that those we entrusted to make the decisions for our youth, may not be the paragon that students of Hull rightfully deserve.
With dismay,
Gerry O'Callaghan
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Just wanted to say Thank you for your blog. I really appreciate such resources where people write about real life, real problems, real joy... Though I spend much time in the Internet, cannot always find something fresh and worthy to read. Even news articles (which I mostly find at http://www.picktorrent.com search engine) do not always contain interesting info. Your resource belongs to my favorites.
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The Bookeeper for the schools has her hours cut (Budget problems). Realizes that part time will not work. Has enough years and age requirement to retire. So she does. The ad for her position that was in the patriot ledger this week says FULL TIME Bookeeper for Hull School System. What is going on here. The buzz is that the Light Company office staff got a 3% retroactive raise. I thought the TM said there will be no raises last year for anyone??????
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