There are many people who work for the Public Schools of Norwalk who are invested in seeing the city build up a school system that can enact positive change. It is decisions like this that rip every last ounce of hope out of a person. In no way shape or form is T.D. a capable leader. A great politician, a great tactician, a career man, but no... no ,please no- do not let this man lead the city's education system. Please- regardless of any of your political leanings- vote out every single politician that is running for reelection this coming fall. A clear message needs to be sent from the people of the city to the "leaders" that consistent in hiring, nepotism, impotency, and insanity will no longer be allowed. This post started with the concept that there are good people who care in this city. People who don't waste money. People who put in long hours to do good for the sake of it. A path to forward can be cleared if the old boys of city hall are cleared out. Email the B.O.E. directly and demonstrate that this decision must be a temporary and unfortunate one. View Comment

Please make a clear distinction between the Union, it's very well off "leadership" and actual teachers. Not all teachers agree with the union, the people they protect, or how the relate to the public. If you want this to change.... vote in the fall. End CT laws that mandate participation in Unions, that enable Unions to take the money from teachers pockets and put it in the hands of politicians and PACs. View Comment

As a teacher who knows what is like to have decisions made with out their voice being heard, I thank Dr. Marks for allowing teachers to voice their opinions often, while only few teachers showed up to these events- she at least put in the effort. So thanks for that. Unless any other commentators are teachers, or in possession of experience in administration, please refrain from extreme remarks. The bottom line is that the problems with "our" schools goes way beyond one woman. The problem lays in every facet of our culture and community. It is easy to sit and type and rant about problems or solutions, but that does nothing to address the real problems. As a teacher in the system through the last two superintendents and three principals I feel as though it is easy to see what the problem is. The problem is that 'we' as a whole have been unable to come to terms with the problem. The problem is not money. The problem is not Dr. Marks. The problem is not test scores. The problem is not a curse placed on Norwalk. The problem is not politics. The problem is not teachers. The problem is not the students, parents, race, poverty, religion, or facebook. Yes, there are bad teachers, too many in fact. There are students that don't care, which is totally normal. There are bad politicians, maybe more in Norwalk than else where. There is poverty, and the gap between the have and haves not is large. There are bad parents, yup... there are. None of these are the problems with our public schools. What Norwalk has goes beyond public schools. The local media perpetuates anxiety about the issue by misrepresenting issues. Local communities within the city stay isolated and do not allow others to assist in solving their issues. Our schools are running on a system that was designed to educate 60 years ago and the current youth can not be expected to march to a 60 year old drum the same way others did. The bottom line is this isn't working. The system as a whole is the problem, so even if a nationwide search is launched for a Super Superintendent who can remedy all the city's problems, even a curse; if the system, the people, and our culture do not change, then they will last two years and leave as well. Other commentators are right. This should be looked at as a chance for the city to move forward. Do not allow old bearers of the reigns to regain power. Take swift action, and find a person to come in for a year to run the show. As a whole, the best chance this city has is in November. Regardless of you affiliation with parties vote out every member of that is up for election and choose new people to guide Norwalk through the next years or all you get is more of the same. View Comment