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MAGGIE HYPENATED-LAST-NAME ANNOUNCES RESIGINATION OF PHS PRINCIPALSHIP ‘OF HER OWN (right!!) FREE WILL’

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION APRIL 18-20, 2025) — In Bitchfield, where down is up and over is under, the sinking ship is fleeing the rats. Typically, it’s the other way around, but the city breeds mighty dumb political rats.

Seems that The Suits have given PHS principal Maggie Harrington-Esko (a hyphenated last name, of course) the same choice it gave superintendent Jumpin’ Joe Curtis: “If you want to keep your fat pension, you’ll resign at the end of this school year.”

Magically, Principal Hyphenate decides to call it a day.

THE PLANET isn’t buying it. Just as we’re not buying anything issued from anyone in vested office that has anything to do with the failing heap of “academia” that passes for the city’s public school system. It costs $20,000+ a year to “educate”  a child. For that, the Kapanskis, who don’t have kids in the system, get out-of-control classrooms, failing performance, and enough corruption to pave East Street to the Canadian border.

One thing is certain. Principal Hyphenate did not do this of her own free will. She wanted to hang on for another decade to add to her 80%-of-her-highest-salary pension. The recent drug and sex scandals at the school got The Suits nervous, though. You know what they say about loose lips. Principal H gave away the ruse when she said in her statement: “I feel that it is important to let you know that this is a decision that I have come to on my own.”

Right. And THE PLANET will lead the National Hockey League in scoring next year.

———- ooo ———-

She write, “This is not an easy decision because PHS is a place I love deeply.”

Who are you kidding, Principal H? This was the easiest decision you’ve had to make since you decided to let the Dancing Dean show off his moves.  This was easier, even, than when you had to pretend you didn’t know about certain administrators under your watch distributing photos of their “goods” to children put in their care.

Oh, don’t worry. The “independent” report will show nothing, because the fix is in. As an added precaution, the school committee has assured your bosses that We The Public will never see the report’s contents. The criminals running the city are sooooo paranoid that something will upset the lucrative apple cart that they fear a whitewash will be seen as the coverup it is.

Principal Hyphenate: “For the past 18 years, this school has been my Home Under the Dome. It’s where I’ve grown as an educator, a leader, and a person. It’s where I’ve laughed, learned, and had the honor of standing beside so many of you through challenges, triumphs, and everything in between.”

She’s “laughed” all the way to the bank. She’s “learned” how to hide malfeasance and manipulation, and besides “growing as an educator, a leader, and a person,” she can add “bag lady” to her impressive resume.

The Kapanskis aren’t worried about you “growing as an educator, a leader, and a person,” madame. It’s the “everything in between part” that has them bothered.

———- ooo ———-

This year, the Slohco Department wants an ADDITIONAL $3, 765,084. Sara “Miss Jane” Hathaway, Les Mis herself, calls that a “cut.” Yes, and dried-out prunes are being sold as candy corn.

Of course, Principal Hypenate is “incredibly” proud of the job she’s done. She stayed the course dictated by her masters and most of all KEPT HER MOUTH SHUT. For that, she goes on to her reward, collecting $95,000 a year for life for “not doin’ nuttin.'”

Not a bad gig. Maybe someone out there will want the job. THE PLANET hears there’s an opening coming up soon!

Have a great weekend, everybody.

———————————————————–

Hey, porcupine! Wake up and go to sleep” — Moe Howard.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

Copyright (c) 2025 By Dan Valenti, PLANET VALENTI and EUROPOLIS MANAGEMENT. All rights reserved. The views and opinions expressed in the comment section or in the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not necessarily endorsed by the operators of this website. PLANET VALENTI assumes no responsibility for such views and opinions, and it reserves the right to remove or edit any comment, including but not limited to those that violate the website’s Rules of Conduct and its editorial policies. Those who leave comments own all the responsibilities that are or can be attached to those comments, be they rhetorical, semantic, or legal. Such commentators remain solely responsible for what they post and shall be and remain solely accountable for their words. PLANET VALENTI shall not be held responsible for the consequences that may result from any posted comment or outside opinion or commentary as provided in, but not limited to, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. We serve as a marketplace of ideas, without prejudice and available to all. All users of this site — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else — hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice and their use of/participation in this site. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer.

 

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Jonathan A. Melle
Jonathan A. Melle
29 days ago

Pittsfield politics’ public payrolls and public pensions plus perks pounds people’s purses in return for the always predictable:

Level 5 (failed), Group 11 (impoverished, underclass) public schools that have scandals and secrets,

Violent crime rates that double the statewide average since at least 1980,

The dangerous downtown’s North Street that is sarcastically called “Social Services Alley” with the surrounding inner-city distressed neighborhoods sarcastically called “The Ring of Poverty”,

Record setting high municipal operating budgets with a little less than $1 billion in municipal debts and unfunded liabilities….that will paid for by Santa Claus and The Easter Bunny,

and, The 2-Pete’s who have NOT done one good thing for the city other than say they are shocked and did NOT know anything prior to the public news reports of camp counselor Carmen’s ghost haunting PHS, along with “the Lady’z Man’s” alleged cocaine trafficking federal case.

At least Pittsfield’s Pot King millionaire was able to receive his pot permits settlement check from the city government that he once disgracefully represented in Boston from 1997 – 2006 in the amount of $341,000 last calendar year of 2024.

Millions of dollars more for the Pittsfield public school district in fiscal year 2026 is, indeed, a cut….in the pockets for the fictional Kapanskis, along with School Committee Member Sara Hathaway’s opinion.

Someone has to take the fall for the debacle that is the Pittsfield Public School District, but with the sweeteners of lucrative public pensions.

Jonathan A. Melle
Jonathan A. Melle
Reply to  Jonathan A. Melle
27 days ago

Please ask good candidates to run for local elected office in 2025 to change Pittsfield politics for the better in 2026.

https://www.iberkshires.com/story/78691/Pittsfield-Sees-Potential-Candidates-for-All-Positions.html

Eric Swansin
Eric Swansin
Reply to  Jonathan A. Melle
27 days ago

It’s time to put your hat in the Pittsfield political ring and run against your cousin Mayor Pete and beat him. Are you and CC President Pete White still an item or will he back your cousin in the race? Johnny for mayor you can get back some of the pot money from Andy for the city.

Pat
Pat
29 days ago

So glad that the PHS principal Mary Harrington-Eskowas was experiencing all of these emotions while on the job, but what about the students? Obviously nobody was looking out for them. Many were obviously upset about being the victim of sexual predators in the school or seeing their friends be the victims. By not releasing the results of the school investigation the public will be left to wonder what happened in the school and that may end up being worse for local Democrats than releasing the report. Will somebody eventually leak the findings of this report? Obviously not to local newspapers who would never print it since they are in bed with local politicians.

Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Reply to  Pat
28 days ago

“So glad that the PHS principal Mary Harrington-Eskowas was experiencing all of these emotions while on the job, but what about the students? “

Bitchfield is hoping to create the illusion 
of they are ” looking out for the children “ rather than offering anything of substance to address the concerns of students and parents.

Markus Aurelius
Markus Aurelius
29 days ago

I agree with you Dan. Principal Harrington-Esko-Franks-Juarez-Sanchez-Myers-Pope, did not decide to pull the plug on her career at the 18-year mark. She’s not even eligible for a pension under MA state guidelines.

Who does that? Nobody does. Unless of course you have been told to “resign or else.” Then you “retire” for “family reasons” or any of the other horsesh!t reasons usually given.

Principal Hyphenate is not 55 years old, so she cannot collect anything. Even if she were 55, she would only collect 28.5% of her top 3 grossing years. Even at $100k a year, $28,500 before taxes, gives her the salary (pension) of a dishwasher.

I provided a breakdown of the MA state teacher’s pension plan below:

R+ElectionForm-09XX2022

**For a little entertainment for the weekend, I provided a link to some George Carlin humor. If you FF to the 1:10 mark at the video, you can hear what George thinks about hyphenated names:

George Carlin – free floating hostility

Jonathan A. Melle
Jonathan A. Melle
Reply to  Markus Aurelius
29 days ago

I remember when Lee (Massachusetts) State Representative Chris Hodgkins used a loophole in the state pension law to receive a full state pension back in 2003 when he retired from politics as a millionaire. Then he became a registered lobbyist like Dan Bosley, who also receives a state pension(s), Peter Larkin, and Stan Rosenberg, and the like former, retired state lawmakers. It is called CASHING IN at the public trough, while the fictional Kapanski’s pound sand and pay their taxes in return for….I won’t write it.

Parkside
Parkside
Reply to  Markus Aurelius
28 days ago

Don’t worry about hyphen there’s a home for her on First St.

Sell Abration
Sell Abration
29 days ago

. They all get fat pensions. Your grandad gets the 1960 pension rate from the factory. Maybe Four hundred a month or less. A relative of mine was an administrator who retired in 2010 and gets 65 g a year . That’s over 5 g a month ? Something wrong there.

Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
29 days ago

Just when you think those
involved with our school
system and the education of children in anyway shape or
form have hit the hypocrisy
ceiling, they bust through with something like this . Great article Planet.

JohnnyTwoCents
JohnnyTwoCents
29 days ago

So what does a teacher in Shittsfield make these days, for the part time gig? What does a principal get? How about the superintendent and all his deputies?

Sir CHAZ
Sir CHAZ
Reply to  JohnnyTwoCents
28 days ago

I believe range starts at 70K goes up to close to 100K

Sir CHAZ
Sir CHAZ
Reply to  Sir CHAZ
28 days ago

SKM_360i25040710500

One at 67K, another at 70K.

SKM_360i25032413210

Teacher of Deportment?!: B.A. & M.A. gets 91K
Seems the base salary is $60K ($30/hr) under the 21 Centrury Appointments.
SKM_360i25031007150
Dean of Students: 86K. Has a masters MCLA 2021. Probably 30 years of age. No Ph.D.

Leaping Lanny Poffo
Leaping Lanny Poffo
29 days ago

Happy Easter Dan. I think the city needs to take a hard stance with the school department. Instead of the city giving them an additional 18 million dollars on top of the chapter 70 allotment, I suggest that the performance dictates the additional funds. Level 5 performance would get no city funds. Then as performance gets better, the city would chip in a set amount of additional funds. What do you think?

Dunn Allover
Dunn Allover
Reply to  Leaping Lanny Poffo
29 days ago

The worse you do in schools the more money, that will never change. They should defund police except for traffic simply because the same shit happens day in and day out. Let those crimes die on the f in vine. Repetitive police responses equals insanity.

Stinking Badges
Stinking Badges
Reply to  Leaping Lanny Poffo
29 days ago

Maybe you didn’t get the memo? Schools get mo money when things get worse not better. The Bitchfield Way.

Stinking Badges
Stinking Badges
Reply to  Leaping Lanny Poffo
29 days ago

Hard Stance? Haw haw haw. The schools are the Voting Block. What doesn’t the Planet Readers understand about that? They fluff everything that goes wrong within and the funding for the children expose continues. Two separate things that work.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Stinking Badges
28 days ago

I agree. The school personnel make sure they live in Pittsfield so they can influence the elections for their own gain. The schools do rule this city. It’s one of the major problems in Pittsfield. Because they have so much power they get away with a lot as we are seeing with this report not being released in full. They said today in the Eagle that the School Committee and Cameron are working on a “summary” of the investigation to be presented to the public because public pressure to release the report is being heard, but Cameron warns it will be whittled down for “privacy” reasons. They admitted the public deserves to know about the report since it’s being paid for with public funds. It was excruciating for them to admit that fact.

Mr. Meanderin
Mr. Meanderin
Reply to  Leaping Lanny Poffo
29 days ago

Easter isn’t until Sunday. Buffoon.

Lenny
Lenny
29 days ago

Good riddance. Hopefully more rats will leave the sinking ship.
RELEASE THE REPORT!

Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Reply to  Lenny
28 days ago

There are two kinds of observers regarding the report release:

1.The majority that believe the cabal grants rain to the peasants.

2.The few who understand they are peeing on us.

Jonathan A. Melle
Jonathan A. Melle
Reply to  Optimus Prime
28 days ago

Letter: “Pittsfield School Committee must release PHS investigation”
The Berkshire Eagle, April 18, 2025

To the editor: Pittsfield Public Schools must release the report regarding investigations of our school personnel and district.

(“How much of the PHS investigation will the public see? Some councilors want at least an ‘executive summary’ to be released,” Eagle, April 1.)

By not releasing the report in its entirety, less the names and personal information, the School Committee chairman seems to speak for the entire committee and the community as well as the City Council and the mayor. We are putting at risk federal funding, state funding and more important, parent support.

I am a parent of students that attend both the high school as well as the middle schools. I frankly do not trust the city administration to keep my children safe. It’s not because I don’t trust the Pittsfield Police or our EMTs. I say this because our elected Pittsfield School Committee and its chairman and spokesman and, in turn, the City Council and mayor do not commit to keep my children safe.

I have run for political office. I have seen and understand the budget process. I have run for a School Committee seat and spoken with the current chair, whom I found to be disengaged and frankly out of his depth. After my loss, I engaged the winners and asked for transparency so folks could learn and understand what we all see as negligent by the committee and administration. My request fell on deaf ears; now, I know why.

If the committee and city as a whole do not release every word of the investigations that taxpayers have paid for, then we should just invite the state to come in and take over our education system the same way the state had to take over our pension and health insurance system back in the 1990s. It wasn’t pretty, but the leaders we elected haven’t learned the lesson.

Our education system in the Pittsfield Public Schools district is in peril. The losers are our children. I encourage voters to stand up and speak up for the betterment of our community.

Bill Tyer, Pittsfield

Ghost of Pearl Bergoff
Ghost of Pearl Bergoff
29 days ago

Is it Mary or Maggie? honest question

Lenny
Lenny
Reply to  Ghost of Pearl Bergoff
28 days ago

I thought it was Maggie

The school committee
The school committee
28 days ago

On top of that the economy is in free fall with stupid Don Trump and his misfits fail America at a record pace.The city has decided to spend 30 million to ruin the Historic site all for Bill Murry college baseball team.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
Reply to  The school committee
28 days ago

How you feeling about voting for heels up Harris and Tampon Timmy?

Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Reply to  Mad Trapper
28 days ago

Ignore TSC’s babbling. He is nothing but a left-wing malcontent, a child like the rest of the left that has TDS . Someone needs to spank the little brat.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Optimus Prime
25 days ago

STOP crying for Trump

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Mad Trapper
25 days ago

It would be great.You feel Trumps beautiful success here.He knows you guys love him.He knows its the voice or his hair.He just knows what you admire.Maybe its his tent taylored suit to keep him at 215 poundsor his 5 inch heels .

Sir Chaz
Sir Chaz
Reply to  The school committee
28 days ago

Only thing in free fall is junk imports.

Not buying Chinese CCP will be easier than ever.

Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Reply to  Sir Chaz
28 days ago

There are those who expect instant gratification with no inconveniences or pain. Decades of outsourcing American jobs are expected to be reversed in one day? Get outta here.

Sir CHAZ
Sir CHAZ
Reply to  Optimus Prime
28 days ago

In the war against Japan which seized every resource we depended upon including rubber for agriculture, Americans did not complain that the Federal policy was onerous and demanding. Everyone chipped in, salvaged metal, and stood up for independence.

A fitting issue for TDS to raise on our 250 anniversary of April 19, 1775 where brave men and women stood their ground. “Do not fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have war, let it begin here.” Captain John Parker.

Jonathan A. Melle
Jonathan A. Melle
28 days ago

NOTE: Only City Councilor Pete White voted in favor of Mayor Peter Marchetti’s panhandling bill, while the other 10 City Councilors voted against it.

Letter: “Shelving median safety proposal was a disappointing setback”
The Berkshire Eagle, April 17, 2025

To the editor: Last May, Forbes Magazine named Pittsfield as one of the top 25 places to retire in America.

And last month, Travel & Leisure Magazine cited Pittsfield as one of the top 10 retirement cities in the Northeast.

Young people as well are also moving here because they find Pittsfield to be one of the most affordable and attractive places to build a family and a future.

But sometimes we just can’t get out of our own way. The recent City Council rebuff of the mayor’s thoughtful and eminently reasonable panhandling proposal is a case in point. (“Pittsfield committee moves to shelve embattled median safety ordinance,” Eagle, March 25.) I don’t agree with much of anything the Supreme Court has decided recently. This past summer, however, they gave cities like ours much broader constitutional latitude in dealing with issues like this.

At the very least, let’s please be absolutely honest with each other. Panhandlers at every public intersection and a phalanx of shopping carts full of personal belongings outside the Berkshire Athenaeum amount to a giant, neon billboard sign that screams to the world, “We give up.” For every decent reason imaginable, our mayor is trying to change that. He deserves much better from this City Council.

Two things can be true at the same time. Improving services to a population in need is not incompatible with preserving a safe, attractive and welcoming atmosphere for residents, businesses and visitors alike. Surely, we can walk and chew gum at the same time. The advocacy community does heroic and commendable work. But here, they are doing themselves and the city a huge disservice. By turning a blind eye to the heartfelt concerns of (dare I say, liberal) taxpayers like me, they will likely end up losing us on the more important and necessary work of correcting the larger systemic problems at the heart of this complicated issue — not just here, but across the country.

It doesn’t have to be either or. We can do both. I like to believe that our City Council is made of smart, sincere and open-minded people willing to roll up their sleeves and help the mayor find creative solutions to a thorny problem. But right now, after this median safety proposal vote, I’m not so sure.

Nick Paleologos, Pittsfield

Lenny
Lenny
28 days ago

I’m hoping the obit for Dave Bubriski is not the same guy who posts on he planet?

Lenny
Lenny
Reply to  danvalenti
27 days ago

So sorry to hear that.

Straight Arrow
Straight Arrow
Reply to  danvalenti
27 days ago

G Man sends his condolences. He really liked Dave.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  Lenny
27 days ago

I am very sorry to hear that. I will cherish him in my thoughts – nothing more I can say. Condolences to his family and friends.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  danvalenti
27 days ago

He was sharp in mind and fit in his daily efforts as I knew him working for betterment of Pittsfield. God called him home.

Jonathan A. Melle
Jonathan A. Melle
27 days ago

One of the Planet’s readers and blog posters passed away this past week.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/berkshire/name/david-bubriski-obituary?id=58187900

I always enjoyed hearing from him in the Eagle and on the Planet.

The school committee
The school committee
27 days ago

Congressman Niel got 4 million for new grandstands at Wahconah park.Now Pittsfield has turned that free grandstand into a 30 million dollar mistake to kill it history which really nobody care about except a few older adults.Imagine traveling to this park and seeing everything replaced with modern weight rooms and wine bars…..its just a huge mistake like Trump 2

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  The school committee
27 days ago

Maybe Trump 2 can put the breaks on it with DOGE?

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
Reply to  The school committee
27 days ago

POTUS Trump’s 47 approval rating is higher than at ANY point of 45.

Americans were sick of the installed disastrous demented duo of Biden/Harris 46.

They didn’t want Joe or the Hoe.

It was apparent from the start Biden was cognitively impaired and the government was being run by unelected shadows behind the curtain. The MSM supported and narrated the leftist ruse.

Straight Arrow
Straight Arrow
Reply to  The school committee
27 days ago

Money by Linda Tyer Clairmont should be looked into. The Stanley giveaways ,the gives to overseas dance troop education, local business that got heaps of monies. The reason is the reason they were given and not the perception.

Socrates Ghost
Socrates Ghost
27 days ago

Not sure how many school teacher, administrator positions Pittsfield, Ma needs to fill these days but if I am looking for work in the education field and I come across all these positions in a certain area, but then find out that area has a basket full of secrets regarding their school system, I might immediately go in a different direction. Might not want to accidentally walk into the middle of a scandal and get blind sided with a negative work environment after having rearranged my life.

Any thoughts from potential teachers looking for work? Would this cause you concern? Would you rather you had been told up front about any ongoing issues?

Is this why Linda McMahon wants to abolish education in America?

Lenny
Lenny
27 days ago

If you are running for a seat in Pitts government, certified papers are due Aug. 1st.

According to today’s iberkshires article, there are 5 candidates running for 6 seats on the school committee. Need a few more candidates! The schools are a mess!

Ward 1 needs a candidate to run against Mr. Delinquent Taxes Kenny Warren.

Ward 2 has 5 contenders to replace Bandani, including super citizen Alex Blumin.

Ward 4 needs a candidate to take on Sleepy Jim Conant.

Ward 5 needs a candidate to run against MopTop Kavey.

Ward 6 needs a legitimate candidate to run against Dingbat Dina. Ed Carmel is in the race but won’t beat her.

Ward 7 has 2 candidates running against Rhonda Serre one of the hens.

The At-Large race includes Amuso, Persip, CostaPlenty & White; Karen Kalinowsky and Alex Blumin will hopefully win 2 of the seats. Let’s throw out the incumbents!