Those of you who know me best probably saw last Tuesday's article in the Republican-American and shook your head in disgust. Those of you who know me best know what kind of person I am, and how highly I value words like honor and integrity. Unfortunately the editors of the Republican-American do not know me, and chose to add insult to injury in Saturday's editorial.
I realize that I have become the newspapers "Chew Toy of the Week" and have had quite a few people tell me I should just ignore this, and hope that it goes away. However, I do not take attacks on my character lightly, and decided to respond to these repeated insinuations and innuendos by sending the following letter to the Board of Education for tonight's meeting.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board of Education,As always, if you have any questions, let me know.
To say I was surprised by the controversy generated as a result of the consideration of my hiring to a part-time position at the Waterbury Adult Education Center would be an understatement. What was most disappointing, however, was that the controversy was not about my qualifications, but based on innuendos and suggestions that have no bearing in fact. In my hopes to put the matter to rest, I would like to share a few facts with you regarding my decision to seek this position.
First, to the best of my knowledge, I had no advance information regarding the posting at Adult Education. I remember that when I was told of the opening, it was in the context that it had already been posted. Additionally, I did not start the application process until more than a week later. By that time, the job was clearly posted on the Department of Education website for all to see.
Secondly, at no point did I contact anyone about my application in an effort to gain a favored position in the interview process. Furthermore, no one contacted Mr. Musto, Dr. Snead, or Mayor Jarjura on my behalf. If I am unable to earn a job on my own merits, so be it. I do not seek a place in any organization that I do not deserve.
Furthermore, as you are already aware, science is a shortage area throughout the State of Connecticut and the entire nation. In any school district a science posting would likely generate an absolute maximum of five applicants. While an Elementary position, or a Secondary education position in the Humanities (English, or Social Studies) would generate hundreds of potential candidates. This shortage is the reason that the State allows Science teachers to work under a Durational Shortage Area Permit, (commonly referred to as a DSAP) while they complete the necessary training. In fact, when I was hired to teach at Wilby in 2002, I was working under such a permit. Now, I hold a Connecticut Certification in both Chemistry and General Science that is valid until November of 2014. I also currently hold a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and more than 50 graduate level credits in the sciences. These facts are verifiable by the Department of Education.
Additionally, I have been unemployed since the 31 of August. My current situation is the result of a sudden reduction in force at the Connecticut Science Center that affected a total of 15 people who were working there at the time. None of us were terminated as a result of our performance, and I am willing to provide you with a copy of my termination letter if you so desire.
Finally, my mother has not held a seat on the Board of Education since January 1, 2004. Not only was she not involved in my application process, I am not sure what political clout she would have after such a lengthy absence from the political scene.
Those are the facts regarding my application to the Adult Education center as I can best communicate them. If you have any further questions, you can contact me, and I will answer any questions you wish to put before me. If any of these concerns had been brought to my attention before the workshop on November 8th, I would have been equally willing to address your concerns, without being turned into the newspapers “chew toy of the week”. Hopefully this will put your minds at ease and reassure you that there was nothing inappropriate in how my application was processed.
3 comments:
Bryan, It never ceases to amaze me at how willing people are to tear down another person that they do not know, have no facts on and then have no regard for the damage they may leave behind.
Our small town is a great case and point.
Rumors are tall tails told by people with nothing better to do with their time than speculate on others.
My advice to those people is: If you are truly that interested in a person or subject, do your home work, then if you can give an opinion positive or negative based on facts, we will be glad to listen. If it's too much of an effort, don't expect the rest of us to pay attention when you are ignored while throwing your hissy fit.
Give 'em hell Bryan.
Cindy Penkoff
Trumbull, CT
I was deeply disturbed by the editorial, particularly by the way it implied that your mother is somehow controlling the Board of Education (despite not having been a member in years) and the hirings of the school system. That section of the editorial was based on imagination, not on facts. Whoever wrote it should be ashamed. There are real problems with the way the city is run, but if the newspaper is going to create scandal where none exists, their credibility in exposing real scandals will be seriously compromised (like the boy who cried wolf).
It is interesting to find out that I may be some kind of "Waterbury Power Broker" -- wish someone would have told me! Stick by your principles -- they will always get you through.
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