The Board of Education voted this evening to buy out Superintendent Michael Frechette's contract. The details of the buyout were discussed in Executive Session, and the board's attorney, Christine Chinni, refused to disclose the amount of the buyout because the agreement has not yet been executed. Chinni expects that the agreement to be complete within the next few days. BOE Chairman Gene Nocera also refused to take any questions on the decision, stating that the agreement with Dr. Frechette included a confidentiality clause until the agreement is executed.
A joint statement from the Mayor and Chairman of the Board of Education praised Frechette for "some notable accomplishments in Middletown during his tenure" and "sincerely thank[ed] him for his service to Middletown." The press release also stated:
We have regarded for months a new approach to school administration as one of the district's most pressing needs. We believe the mutual agreement reached by our Board of Education will be of benefit to our school system, City of Middletown, and Dr. Frechette.
The complete statement is below.
In his departure statement, Dr. Frechette listed several accomplishments, noting he was "very proud of the success of our students," and he acknowledged "the direction, hard work, and effort from our administrators, teachers, staff and community." He also pointed to "differences" with the Board of Education as the reason for his departure effective March 9, 2012. The complete statement is also below.
Three board members were not present for the Special Meeting: Bill Grady, Sheila Daniels and Ted Raczka. Daniels and Raczka are out of town, and BOE member Ryan Kennedy confirmed before the special meeting began that Bill Grady has resigned from the board. Grady could not be reached for comment.
The next regular BOE meeting is Tuesday night, March 13, at 7pm. The board is expected to discuss how it plans to move forward in the search for a new superintendent.
School Superintendent Michael Frechette resignation is the result of all of the lawsuits & turmoil that former Mayor Sebastian Giuliano created since 2010. Giuliano was a bully to Frechette believing that he had control over the Middletown School System. Frechette is a professional in the field of Education while Giuliano was a politician who took a stand when it was political to do and how the political winds were blowing. If I were Frechette I would resign too with all of the aggravation that Giuliano created for him for over a year. Good-Luck Dr. Frechette and great job in running the school system!
ReplyDeleteI am concerned about the amount of the buy out. We can't afford to cover his salary for 2 years and pay a new superintendent and pay for a business manager and a financial person as well as recover the $1 million. I know my family can't handle higher taxes and I know a lot of others can't either. Who is suffering for others mistakes? We are. Our children are.
ReplyDeleteAssistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning Barbara Senges was in central office while the Board was in executive session, but did not attend the meeting.
ReplyDeleteYet she claims to know of no possibilities that this issue could lead to a new job for her. She is every bit as guilty as Frechette and should also be gone. The Farm Hill parents will never forget how she proclaimed “I don't have to answer your questions" to the angry crowd and them told them they were rude to express such anger to the central office SHAME SHAME SHAME
Good day for the Middletown voters and the BOE. This had to happen with all the controversy the past couple of years.
ReplyDeleteEd at first I was in dout of you.I had hoped and prayed the town made the right choice.By the vote today you have showen you do care about our kids.
ReplyDeleteIt took a new BOE to hear what we were saying.While my son has no chance of clearing his good name by buying him out it means he now can do it again in a different town.But this is a step in the right way.
Keep an eye on the lawyer while she was easy to beat LOL she should be watched.Thank you to you Gene,Ava and the other news who cared about this.
My name is Aaron and I have waited more then two years for this day.
ReplyDeleteBy hearing my mom and the Smiths you have done right.I wish I could clear my name on the heels of this matter but in the end it gives me peace of mind to know that someone is now taking care of things.
Thank you
To Bob Jones:
ReplyDeleteThanks for this fascinating perspective! I didn't realize that all the problem with our school system originating with the central office and superintendent were actually the fault of the previous mayor. Thanks for clearing that up for us.
" YEA!! But as noted numerous times about. Other cronies of Dr. Frechette need to go too. Clean house. Start fresh. Yes he should have been fired, but with the follow up law suit it is probably cheaper and faster to just negociate a settlement (on his new higher three year contract just signed). I have written on this blog for years to rid Middletown BOE of him. It is finally here, but who to really give the credit too? "
ReplyDeletewhy buy out and why not fire?? contract said nothing of a pay out. does Drew have nothing to say?
ReplyDeleteFrechette was the only administrator who answered my phone calls over the years and took time to listen to me.
ReplyDeleteAs always I am
Torn with mixed thoughts- its that "middle child" feeling-
BOE members PLEASE develop a parent advisory group to be part of the search committee for a new superintendent.
We want to be heard- and we want to be included in the processes of educating our children.
I'm very concerned about the budget and fear the raising of property taxes or reductions of services for our children.
I am also concerned that the issues I've been addressing recently with Dr. Frechette will be forgotten regarding the pupil service administrators and the closing of DEAL.
As well as other issues.
Many of us need to hear some form of accountability in order to move forward.
I will continue to ask questions and seek answers and if need be, be the voice for those who can't or won't speak up.
I agree with Bob Jones. Former Mayor Sebastian Giuliano is to blame for Dr. Frechette's resignation.
ReplyDeleteann: did you ever think the results of the survey could have played a part? thank you to the board who did the right thing!
ReplyDelete"I acted because I'm the Board of Education, and this is Board of Education property" Remeber when Ted Raczka said this to the media and to the police officers? If that was the case I hope Ted came back from vacation intime to help Frechette clean his office. LOL Please dump Chinnini and Raczka, Haynes and illegally hired Hope Kasper son in-law Josh Berger. Lots more house cleaning to do until the focus is brought back to the children-
ReplyDeleteWho do you suppose will apply to replace the missing school administrators? Build a new team guided by the corrupt political system and tug of war that plagues the town? Politics do not belong in the school system and this incident is evidence of the consequences. There is a separate elected Board of Education which should stay outside politics- shame on the new board. Spend your time getting the educational grant money from the state of CT that the city has not released.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the latest education development regarding the misuse of "scream" rooms, the state of CT mandates total inclusion. The taxpayers have to decide whether to support state mandated total inclusion. If you want to offer students who can not function in a regular classroom an alternate learning environment there is legislative work to be done. The Deal program was disallowed by the state of CT not the superintendent. Any ideas are welcome but nothing can be implemented since you no longer have a Superintendent. It will take several years to rebuild the administration to a functioning team never mind tackling the task of CT Department of Education . You just lost a person who successfully accomplished many goals for your school. The taxpayers are the losers as well as the students.
Best wishes to Dr. Frechette and thank you for everything you accomplished despite the obstacles you faced.