Start Communicating

By Listening

To the Editor:

Once again the tail (school administration) is wagging the dog (Board of Education). Why do they feel the need to retain professional services to communicate with the rest of Newtown?

I think the best place to start any type of communication is by listening. This is apparently not one of the tools they value. It seems to me the administration’s tool box consists only of hammers and not one feeler gauge. In fact, isn’t the superintendent’s performance rating based in part on communication skills — or did I miss something? For what we are paying her, she should put Edward R. Murrow to shame!

Let’s set that aside for the moment. I wonder where the funds are coming from to pay this consultant? Going beyond that, the purchasing regulations of Newtown require sealed bids for any professional service contract over $10,000.

Was a bid published? Who were the other bidders? Were the regulations followed. I see no evidence of that. Funny how nobody in the superintendent’s office knew anything about this when The Bee inquired.

The Board of Education needs to void this contract and for the long-term contain the administration’s ever-present urge to wander off the reservation.

R.P. Gottmeier

13 Antler Pine Road, Sandy Hook                          December 9, 2011