By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014) — As you likely know, THE PLANET has recently taken up two important items — not covered by any other local media, incidentally — dealing with the Pittsfield School Department. They are important for many reasons, not the least of which is that the schools make up more than 70% of the entire $135 million city budget, a fact that likely explains the reticence of the other media to cover this important story.

We have directly asked the Pittsfield School Committee about these two items: Frank Cote’s contract and a horrible case of alleged bullying at PHS, about which nothing seems to have been done. In short, on behalf of citizens,THE PLANET has called them out.

Cushy Contract for Cote at Its Conclusion

The first column dealt with the cushy contract of Frank Cote, “assistant superintendent for vocational, workforce, and college readiness programs.” That’s what we call a “two-breath title.” Nice to know the PSD isn’t top heavy with unproductive, administrative fluff.

Fortunately for bedraggled taxpayers, Cote’s contract expires on June 30, 2014. In other words, We The People can get out of this deal, foisted upon them by Cote’s best bud, former school superintendent Jake Eberwein III. Jake promoted Cote from vice president of PHS after his great work there, including the never-solved theft of $10,000 in prom money from an English teacher’s drawer. Neither Cote nor school principal Tracy Benson were in the building the day of the theft. As a result, the guardian of the money could not deposit the 10 Gs in the school safe. Cote also got the Free House going on Love Me Avenue for a woman who happened to be his secretary.

We asked each school committee member about Cote’s contract: Do they that contract should be allowed to expire or not?

What Did Committee Member Do About PHS Bullying Case?

THE PLANET’s second column discussed a case of bullying that reportedly took place at PHS in which a gang of at least five other girls tormented a 15-year-old girl. Despite the report that staff witnessed at least one of the incidents, nothing was done about it. If this report is true, THE PLANET wondered how it squared with the PSD’s lengthy, wordy anti-bullying policy.  We wanted the school committee members’ views.

We sent this message to Dan Bianchi, Kathy Yon, Dan Elias, Pam Farron, Tony Riello, Cindy Taylor, and Josh Cutler.

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HELLO ALL
In recent days, my website — PLANETVALENTI.com — has covered two issues related to the school department. The first deals with a horrible case of alleged bullying at PHS, which was reportedly witnessed by teachers and staff, reported to the administration, with nothing done to punish the perpetrators. That story ran on March 19. The second deals with the current employment contract of asst. superintendent for vocational, Frank Cote. That ran on March 6 with a follow-up on March 21. If you haven’t read those stories, I would invite you to do so, because of I a few questions:

(1) Have you looked into the case of alleged bullying? If so, what did you do and would you share that with me. If not, why not? And if not, would you do so and keep us informed?

(2) Can you give us a comment on that particular case and of other such stories we have all heard (can it only be me?) about rampant bullying with little or nothing done to punish the perpetrators.

(3) Regarding Mr. Cote’s three-year contract, it expires on June 1. I would like to know (a) How do you intend to vote on the renewal of his contract. If you think he should be rehired, would you please tell us why? If not, same thing.

Thanks. Feel free to add any other comments. I shall be posting your responses (or non-responses) on THE PLANET. A non-respose will be taken as your response. I would only add that I trust you realize that your constituents, who are citywide, deserve to know where you all stand.

Best,
DAN

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THE PLANET shall share our findings in the stridently near future. As of press time, we have heard from Dan Elias. Period. The remainder have until the end of the week.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let’s now share a couple of letters.

Anti-Bullying Policy is ‘a Matter of State Law’

To The Planet:

It may be helpful to your article today about bullying to note the following…

Anti bullying in schools is a matter of the law and not just a policy in a schools’ handbook. 

Chapter 70 section 36 is quite clear on the procedures for bullying in schools. See links below.   

Note in the second link the requirement of school depts to report anti bullying data to the MA Dept of elementary and secondary schools  (DESE). 

Thus your article highlights a violation of the law by PPS and not just is own handbook. 

Hope this helps — Mighty Puca

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Response to BFAR on Selection of #71 Stonehenge for Group Home

To The Planet:

Why #71? — BFAIR says it chose 71 Stonehenge because of the size, four bedrooms; that is has a level lot, and that is is a single-level home. BFAIR has claimed that there were only two homes on the market in Pittsfield that met these criteria: 71 Stonehenge and a home on West Street. It apparently rejected the West Street home because the condition wasn’t as good as the home on Stonehenge.

Only 2 homes on the market that met the criteria? Really? The Pittsfield R/E market is glutted with inventory now as it was last year. As of this morning there were 145 4 B/R homes for sale in Pittsfield listed on Zillow. 

THE PLANET thanks our letter writers. We encourage letters on all issues and points of view.

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“ATLANTIS ROSE drums wreathe the rose, / the star floats burning in a gulf of tears / and sleep another thousand [years]. — Hart Crane, “Indiana.”

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.