Comments for Derby Community Conversation

Comment on Open Forum by mamaG

mamaG — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:38:50 +0000

BRADLEY PLAYGROUND — WHY ON EARTH DID THEY DO THAT?
Rumor has it that our “acting” superintendent decided to pull up $6000 worth of rubberized mulch over this past spring vacation, then the subletted company then proceeded to spend who knows how much ($3500 maybe) on wood mulch over a larger area. Now this regular wood mulch will possibly have to be redone every year, whereas the rubber mulch should have lasted 30 years. GUESS WHAT THE KICKER IS?? THE RUBBER MULCH IS GONE!! Can anyone explain, to the parents that volunteered their time and money to get the playground going again, where their money has gone and all their time?? Thanks a lot! We just love wasting our own money every year in unnecessary taxes

Comment on What should Derby’s educational priorities be? by DerbyGuy

DerbyGuy — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:21:21 +0000

First, I think we need to be extremely pro-active in the area of improving our students performance on all standardized testing. CMTs, CAPT, and SAT to name just three. We need to develop a comprehensive program, promote it and execute it in a consolidated, committed, whole-team approach district wide. In order to get community buy-in, it would need to be heavily promoted in the community as well.

Second, we need to look at the special needs the influx of students coming into Derby from the larger cities bring with them and see how we can equip them to succeed, identify specific needs and develop programental solutions / approaches to address them. Most familiar with the district notice a large difference in the students who come up through the system and those coming to us from outside the district. As quickly as possible we need to bring those coming in from outside the district up to speed.

Third, we need to provide more after-school programming of both an educational and recreational nature in all levels of our schools. The recreational clubs / activities would not be for the purposes of providing cheap childcare, but should be used as a reward to those who are doing well in academics and as an incentive to those who are not to enroll in after-school educational improvement programs in order to be able to participate in the recreational programs. The more carrots we can offer, the more incentive we have for the students to stay in school and work at doing well.

Comment on Preferred Developer Is No Longer by snacks

snacks — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:29:22 +0000

I don’t think people know what to think. It seems like another setback and that really is too bad. I hope it is all worth it in the long run.

Comment on Preferred Developer Is No Longer by Dan

Dan — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:55:15 +0000

Happy New Year Readers…

I’m surprised there hasn’t been any comments left about this?

My thought is that the city needs to do something to move this along; whether this is the answer or not…I’m not sure?

One thing is for certain…it’s going to be a long legal battle. Hopefully my kids will be able to see the downtowns rebirth; because I have a feeling it’s going to take a while. Too bad…

Comment on Redevelopment Plan and Eminent Domain by justthefacts

justthefacts — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:37:52 +0000

I believe that the agreement (PDA) in force has tied the cities hands in many ways. However there are some safeguards that need be installed to protect the cities interests. If the Corporation Counsel, Redevelopment Agency, Development Director work with the cities consultant and the developer, there is no reason and revised PDA can’t be in effect in a short amount of time. The property value debate is governed by statute and the expert the city had before can update whatever data is necessary to start moving the project forward even faster. The Mayor has worked assiduously on this project and the progress mad is due to his efforts. His continued supervision of the process is critical to it’s success.

Comment on Redevelopment Plan and Eminent Domain by DerbyGuy

DerbyGuy — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:33:34 +0000

I hope the Board of Alderman and Redevelopment Commission can get the deal with the developer modified to address the problem areas and short comings of the current deal so we can get the downtown redevelopment on the fast track.

Comment on Superintendent Recommends Background Checks for Volunteers by DerbyGuy

DerbyGuy — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:59:29 +0000

We could debate the merits of all-day kindergarten, there have been plenty of studies pro and con but that wasn’t my point. My point was that with test scores, which demonstrate our students ability to master specific skills that have been identified by educators as necessary to successfully further their education and therefore their ability to succeed in life, at their lowest during the superintendent’s reign and in recent memory, she focuses on instituting full-day kindergarten and after school programs with the Boys & Girls club as a high priority progamming need.

I’ve not read about a single initiative let alove a “high profile” initiative designed or offered by her or the past Board of Ed that specifically addresses this glaring inefficiency of our school district. As the old adage goes lets keep first things first.

In my opinion she came her to institute programs that would pad her resume for future employment. I think that’s also been demonstrated.

I hope the new Board of Ed will exert the leadership they are supposed to on the part of the community, address the MAJOR needs in the system and not be lead around by the nose by the school administration.

Comment on Superintendent Recommends Background Checks for Volunteers by kathi

kathi — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:47:41 +0000

The all day kindergarten instituted for this past school year is a begining step to improving student test scores. Our students coming into kindergarten are already behind most districts as we do not have a formal preschool program.TEAM recently did a study showing that students entering our kindergarten programs do not have any educational training previously. I know it sounds crazy that children at this age already are behind but in this day, most children begin some form of education by the age of 3. Derby kindergarteners come in without knowledge of the simpliest things such as how to sit for a story, how to follow directions and most importantly how to get along. The teacher, whose role is to begin instruction, now has to spend the first few months teaching basic skills that most pre schoolers get. A full day gives the children more time to get the educational component they need as well as giving them basic socialization time. I think this program was a no brainer for success.

Comment on Congrats to Derby Boys Soccer by soccermom

soccermom — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 20:53:37 +0000

Congratulations to the DHS Boy’s Soccer Team and to the coaching staff. It is because of their hard work and dedication that the team has made it to the State Tournament for the third year in a row.

They all work hard to make it happen and in a football town that’s hard to do.

Comment on Redevelopment Plan and Eminent Domain by DerbyGuy

DerbyGuy — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:51:19 +0000

Hey it looks like there might be good news here. From an article in the paper this morning it looks like the city has convinced the developer to relocate the businesses to the city owned property behind the train station and that they are ammenable to that solution. The only question I have is wasn’t there a contamination issue with that property? If not, that would be an awesome resolution.