Over the past two years, Councilwoman
Kleckowski has worked tirelessly assisting special needs families in
working with local officials and those at DCF after the wake of the
unfortunately named "scream room" controversy that occurred at Farm
Hill School. She worked with individual
families who sought her help in establishing better standards of care for
special needs students after the dismantling of the previous district wide Special
Education program that had been held at Spencer School.
Deb has continued to display her advocacy
stemming from her being a member of the DECA Advisory Board for 20 years, a
state DECA Judge for 6 years, an annual speaker for the Middletown High
Community Service program for over 10 years and a supporter for Ryan Woods
Autism Foundation. She participated in
the resolution the 466 labor-breach of contract by the previous BOE
Administration.
As a Councilmember, she supported
sick day donation for ill City employees and a professional advocate for
educational opportunities and access for all students for over 20 years. She is
also a member of the newly created Career-Technical Education Advisory Board. What is amazing, is as a mother of two young
children, is that her advocacy is all volunteer time to better her community. She does this in addition to her position as
an Adjunct Professor at Middlesex Community College.
Despite all the hard work I have mentioned that Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski
has put into Middletown education- the teacher's union Middletown Federation of
Teachers Local 1381 has chosen to endorse Matt Lesser.
Although Representative Matt Lesser is on the State Legislature's Education Committee, he could have done and/or could be doing so much more for the students of Middletown. He supported the passing of a law that any incidences of restraint used in special education services have to be reported to the state after the fact; notwithstanding the issue that the current programs are failing our most vulnerable students- something that Candidate Kleckowski has already been actively trying to fix in Middletown.
Although Representative Matt Lesser is on the State Legislature's Education Committee, he could have done and/or could be doing so much more for the students of Middletown. He supported the passing of a law that any incidences of restraint used in special education services have to be reported to the state after the fact; notwithstanding the issue that the current programs are failing our most vulnerable students- something that Candidate Kleckowski has already been actively trying to fix in Middletown.
One wonders could the support from
the Teachers Union he received be based upon his support for legislation
regarding tenure that the teacher's union campaigned for? If so, why didn’t they also support Deb for
her tireless efforts she advocated for here in our city of Middletown?
The statement given by Middletown Federation of Teachers Steve McKeever could also have been more complimentary to Deb, as she has proven her dedication to our Teachers and Educational system here in Middletown as Matt has done with his work on the Education Committee at the state level. From my point of view and I am sure other Educational Advocates (Parents & Teachers), THEY BOTH are committed to improving education in our city and state in ways that make sense for all stakeholders!
This endorsement sends a political negative message for a person who works so hard for education in our community which Deb does not deserve. Also, when using the terminology ‘stakeholders’ it is our children, and youth who are the final stakeholders of our educational system too. ,
The statement given by Middletown Federation of Teachers Steve McKeever could also have been more complimentary to Deb, as she has proven her dedication to our Teachers and Educational system here in Middletown as Matt has done with his work on the Education Committee at the state level. From my point of view and I am sure other Educational Advocates (Parents & Teachers), THEY BOTH are committed to improving education in our city and state in ways that make sense for all stakeholders!
This endorsement sends a political negative message for a person who works so hard for education in our community which Deb does not deserve. Also, when using the terminology ‘stakeholders’ it is our children, and youth who are the final stakeholders of our educational system too. ,
Councilwoman Deb Kleckowski will continue and
always has been an Educational Advocate; in her eyes our children and youth of
our city are the ones that matter most to her.
I don’t agree with the Teacher’s Union’s
endorsement; I ask that the voters of
our city to show their appreciation for all of Deb’s efforts when they go to
the polls by voting for Candidate Kleckowski.
Please remember, when you cast your
vote don’t send the wrong message to our children and youth by basing it purely
on politics. For if you do, the message
is simple: “that hard work does not matter- it’s who can give you a hand up, not
necessarily work or the greater good of all."
Councilman Phil Pessina
Minority Leader of the Common Council
Councilman Phil Pessina
Minority Leader of the Common Council
Phil, she is not a professor, adjunct or otherwise. She is listed under the adjunct faculty as a "lecturer in Freshman Seminar", hardly a challenging academic topic.
ReplyDeleteDear ANON:
ReplyDeleteWhy do you care? Matt never graduated college, so let's cool it.. She has taught for many institutions over the years including MXCC, MHS and the Upward Bound program where she came in 2nd in their search for director. Let's cut the horseshit, she hasn't bad mouthed anybody in her campaign nor has Suzio for that matter. It doesn't matter though, the Dems are so anti-mudslinging but when one of their own does it it's ignored or somebody says, "Well, it's very a wholesome cause." Stop it now!