Tag: Portelos

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FOIL Friday – EduFOIL.com helps access school records like emails and personnel files

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If you have been following my blog, then you know that I love the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The records I obtained have been crucial weapons in the fight back and attempts to expose corruption in our schools. However, it almost becomes a full time job to make requests, manage and follow up with denials and appeals. It’s not like schools want to just open the books. Now there is a service that can help the novice and even experienced “FOILer” obtain a wide assortment of records… EduFOIL.com Continue reading

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NYC Dept. of Education Jails Whistleblower When No Crime Committed

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It’s hard to believe that a year ago today I was in a jail cell when when DOE Chief Information Officer (CIO) Hal Friedlander made an allegation when no crime was committed. Meanwhile Principal Linda Hill admitted to stealing for years and over two dozen DOE employees, two chancellor’s and two mayors helped cover it up…no arrests, no fines…not even a disciplinary letter. Continue reading

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NYC DOEs Million Dollar Cover-Up of a Staten Island Principals Theft

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With a budget of over $25 billion, an employee roster of over 136,000 and over 1,400 buildings to manage, there is plenty of room for theft and corruption at the New York City Department of Education. Continue reading

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Some DOE Employees Suffer from “SAD” – Sudden Amnesia Disorder

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I’m just past the three-year mark from when my fight began. By “fight” I mean I raised real concerns about public education, the Department of Education came after my career, in an attempt to cover up their misconduct, and… I “fought” back. I must have hit some of these DOE employees back prettyhard, because they suddenly forgoteverything! Continue reading

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Harassed Employees Can File a DDC Complaint Against Attorneys Involved in Harassment

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Whether harassed NYC DOE employees know it or not, there is at least one attorney assisting in the harassment every step of the way. When administrators are engaged in unethical acts, so are their attorneys. Perhaps we haven’t found someone who holds the administrators accountable (waiting for de Blasio/Faria), but we do have a group that can hold the attorneys to ethical standards. The DDC or Departmental Disciplinary Committee. Continue reading

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My Official DOE Personnel File Undergoes Cell Division

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According to the UFT-DOE Agreement, an employee is supposed to have only one official file. I seem to have several unofficial ones. Grievance time. Continue reading

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De Blasio/Faria to Shift Power from Principals to Crossing Guards

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In an unexpected and unprecedented move to undo the Bloomberg “Principal as CEO” school governance, the de Blasio/Faria administration is designating absolute power to…the crossing guard Sources on the inside say that school crossing guards still have to check in with and obey the directives from DOE Legal, so don’t… Continue reading

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NYC Public Advocate Joins in SLT Transparency Issue

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  One of thereasons this blog even exists is because of the concerns I raised at the IS 49 School Leadership Team (SLT) meetings. Yesterday, January 7, 2014 NYC Public Advocate Letitia James and Class Size Matters filed papers to intervene in a lawsuit Thomas v City of NY. Michael… Continue reading

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Deputy Chancellor Kathleen Grimm Leaves…Finally

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Why was someone who closed so many schools, paved theway for Eva Moskowitz to co-locate in our schools and ignore and falsify asbestos contamination in a Staten Island school allowed to stay for a year with the new administration ——– From: Chancellor Carmen Faria Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 2:32… Continue reading

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Johnny Appleseed of Engineering and Unionism

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Since May 12, 2014, I have estimated that I taught over 2,000 students in Staten Island. From Pre-K to 8th grade. To repeat the first words ever written on this blog early 2012…. “My name is Francesco Portelos and I love my job!” Continue reading

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FOIL FRIDAY- How the Goliaths at Tweed Hide

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“Please be advised that since Francesco Portelos requests emails that have the word “Portelos” between us, we will all start using the acronym FP instead. Thank you.” Continue reading

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From the Frustration & Chaos a New UFT Group Emerges

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I reached out to New Action caucus to try for a bipartisan push against the DOE and UFT and possibly help these over 800 terminated teachers. The reaction from some MORE members was ridiculous. “No New Action!” Continue reading

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Back to School with a New Position -Ambassador Teacher on Rotation

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A quick recap of the summer and an email for a new position I was assigned by the DOE. Ambassador Teacher on Rotation. Excited to get back to school. Continue reading

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Throwback Thursday, Thank You Emails and Tenure

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A section of my blog I have not touched in over 2.5 years. The “Thank You” emails I received before I raised concerns and became a “bad teacher.” Continue reading

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FOIL Friday – Did Those Incidents Get Reported or Swept Under the Rug

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The Online Occurrence Reporting System (OORS) is what is used to keep track of all incidents that occur in or around a NYC DOE school. At one point, the school I tried to improve had 1,283 incidents in 180 days. That is an average of 7.12 incidents a day or roughly an incident a period. Continue reading

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Tenure is for Girls! [and others who speak up]

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Seriously… Is it not Read Below. Over a year ago I FOILed the number of probationary (nontenured) teachers discontinued in the NYC DOE inthelast two years. I know, I could have just asked the UFT, but they wouldn’t give usthe info. In fact, when I asked for thenumber ofreassigned teachers,… Continue reading

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Dissecting the Pirozzolo vs State of NY Teacher Tenure Lawsuit

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The fight for a proper public education in this country is multifaceted. If you want to get involved, you have to pick a front and get ready for battle. Myissueis that I get involved on many fronts, shooting arrows acrossthespectrum hoping to make a positive difference somewhere.Why are we even… Continue reading

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FOIL FRIDAY – Who Took the Position You Applied For

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Well I’ll tell you that I am very curious to know the background of who is hired for these positions that I was not qualified for. A new teacher right out of college Someone with a Common Branch license and no science or technology experience Only one way to find out…. Continue reading

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A Case For Teacher Tenure Part 3 – The Rest of the Charges

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We continue with charges, from my 3020-a termination, hearing where Arbitrator Felice Busto sustained the specifications including bringing notoriety and ridicule to the DOE. Continue reading