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Monday, February 20, 2012

Fredericksen To Be Reappointed Tuesday

Joe,

All of the outcry about Fredericksen’s leadership and the unethical actions of some board members had no effect. The board is set to reappoint him on Tuesday. His contract renewal is on the agenda for tomorrow, February 21st, soon after the board meeting begins at 1:30. None of the concerns of the public and parents, the complete lack of respect and confidence of the staff, the culture of fear imposed on employees, the past performance and questionable actions in Minnesota, and his performance here leading WCPS have not mattered to the board at all. They made no request for public input, no attempt to survey staff, no effort to investigate claims, and clearly no intelligent review of his last four years. If you are part of the problem, it is difficult to become the solution.

What will the press release say? Typically you tout accomplishments and strategic vision in such things. “Dr. Fredericksen has led WCPS to four failing years on student achievement tests. He has completely lost the confidence and respect of his staff and alienated the community members with whom he has had contact. But he has been our puppet and supported our own personal motives and questionable actions, so we welcome him back for four more years. We need to hold this ball of yarn together and don’t believe the children of Wicomico County deserve any better than this.”

All of that alone should be enough without the pending legal actions that have already begun. By filing the defamation claim against White, Moses and Messick were smarter than Fredericksen. Then again, that bar is pretty low. Now White, Fredericksen, and others will begin to answer about relationships and communications and they will have to release records so that Fredericksen can no longer ignore timelines on public information requests and lie on responses. The unions will scamper to get themselves removed from the claim arguing that White was acting on his own in conjunction with Fredericksen. Even if Fredericksen wanted to help out his only buddy, White, the board’s insurance plan would not allow it. White will be alone on an island and the unraveling will begin soon and who knows where it will end.

By the time that saga concludes, there won’t be much of a board of education or a Fredericksen around. It makes you wonder what is wrong with the board. Your article on pension bailout is telling. That cost is coming to the local government or board of ed. According to our website, Fredericksen came here at 58 years old and likely a retiree from Minnesota with a pension there. Once the board gives him a new contract, he’ll be vested in the Maryland pension system (5 years). With the cost now about to be paid locally, Wicomico County citizens will be paying for Fredericksen’s pension no matter how long he endures the legal battle facing him. Aren’t we lucky.

We should thank the board for that lifetime bill, especially for a guy who hates Wicomico County and the Shore. From the beginning he has made ongoing weird and defamatory comments about us. He tells people that he is privileged as an educated white man with a doctorate and actually believes that they open lines in Target just for him. Seriously. When he first arrived he commented on going to church here that had a confederate flag so much that staff members checked it out. It was a cemetery marker of a Civil War soldier outside the church. He told a parent, who he didn’t know was an employee, that if she was so concerned about gang activity in schools she should put her kids in private school. Because he had such a difficult time adjusting to here, he once hired a customer relations firm (for one meeting) to help people interact. They left when they realized he was the only one having trouble interacting, but at the preparation meeting one staff member trying to help him said she had to transition when she came here from another state. Fredericksen replied, “Why, because you have a doctorate but not a pickup truck.”

Wow, four more years. Let’s all thank the board. At least we have this blog to detail every aspect of Fredericksen and the board for the next four years. I’m sure they are looking forward to that as well.



New Posts to fall below.

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

If he does get reappointed for another four years, it will be almost impossible to deny him a third term. Re-appointing him this time suggests a vote of confidence.

Anonymous said...

Can we really expect anything different from our elected officials.Its no more what the people want,just the few.

Anonymous said...

Got nothing but OMG

Anonymous said...

If he gets re-appointed don't complain. I have talked to several of the BOE members and they state that no one contacted them except 1 person and it is more than likely the author of this post. I have seen the emails of the board members listed on this blog several times and no one took the initiative to contact them. When you snooze you lose.

Anonymous said...

Well...we do have one recourse. Money. WE hold the purse strings. WE have the money therefore WE have the power. What I mean is...HOLD BACK YOUR TAX MONEY!! Simply don't pay. The county cannot take your property for holding the taxes back for a few months. But it will cripple the county government. Let them know that this is what we intend to do if they retain this idiot. Tell them in no uncertain terms. If they hear the message, it will scare the hell out of them. They will dump the creep.

Anonymous said...

1:06pm "Elected Officials" ??? The members of the BOE are not elected officials and they are the ones who decide if he goes or stays.

Anonymous said...

1:50 PM
If any board member told you only one person contacted him or her, that board member is looking for an excuse to justify his or her vote. That is absolutely a falsehood.

Anonymous said...

1:50pm If only 1 person contacted the members of the BOE I can understand why. But, that should not make a difference. His integrity, performance and not being able to relate to others here should be enough to not approve his contract. The members of the BOE are smart people, or at least some of them are, and it is up to them to make sure our children have the benefit of a good running school system. After all, isn't it really for the children?

Anonymous said...

He's not liked any more in his neighborhood. They try to be above everyone and send Christmas "Letters" telling us how wonderful their family is and what they have done all year. They have tacky swing sets in the front yard and look out at any function here Renee' comes with Sushi for the neighborhood/ Do they think we care about any of that crap?

Anonymous said...

2:01...Sounds good, but I don't see this happening from the readers of this blog. Not one bothered to show up and voice concerns at last week's Board Meeting. Let's see how many show up tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

All of the above can be described with one word. POLARIZING!!!! Does this board not understand what that word means? What a shame this is for our community.

Anonymous said...

Elected? Officials... these people were appointed by O'Malley NOT elected 10:06

Anonymous said...

I am NOT the author of the post and I have contacted the members. How many others contacted them?

Anonymous said...

1:50 PM
Any board member who says contact came from only one person is a fibber. They are making the public responsible for their lack of a spine.

Anonymous said...

Corruption at it's best. Pure Corruption. That's what this place is all about. CORRUPTION.

Anonymous said...

Are you sure they are local government? I thought they were quasi government, very subtle yet huge difference legally.

Anonymous said...

Does a cop say I didn't arrest the guy with a gun because not enough citizens contacted me to say they were upset about him?

Anonymous said...

Just more of the good ole' boy network which has plagued this county for decades. Don't know what kind of pay off these people get but it is enough to influence most everyone in any kind of power position!!

Anonymous said...

I thought we had the right to bear arms.

Anonymous said...

So Michelle Wright is sticking around long enough to cast her vote??????

Anonymous said...

One of the happiest days of my life was when my youngest graduated from WiCo high school. God, the schools are awful!! Thank goodness, my husband and I are caring, college-educated parents who were willing and able to fill in the many gaps.

So, you have all heard of Occupy Wall Street. Why not Occupy Long Ave? Stop the Board meeting from happening.

Anonymous said...

Give me a break! I know for a fact more than 1 person has contacted the Board Members...including myself and I did use the email listing provided from the blog!!!

So either they are lying or you are.

Anonymous said...

Someone who can turn good people into co-conspirators has skill as a manipulator. They were easy pickins for someone with so much practice at it.

Anonymous said...

Without even taking other goings on into account, doesn't our AYP for the county speak for itself? In the past 3 years (2009 to 2011) we have gone from 2 schools not meeting the AYP to 10 schools. He obviously does not have the education of our children at the top of his list.

Anonymous said...

Folks realize what are our options if we dont rehire freddie. We cant do a search in such a short time. So we hire an interim Super and that would be Margo or Cathy. Who would want one of those ladies in the position. I don't and I work for the system.

Anonymous said...

MARVIN BLYE - MBLYE@wcboe.org
Tyrone Chase - tchase@shoreup.org
Larry Dodd - lwd7734@comcast.net
Carolyn Elmore - cjelmore@comcast.net
Donald Fitzgerald - donfitz64@comcast.net
Ronald Willey - row76@comcast.net
Michelle Wright - michelle@wrightsmarket.com

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Does a cop say I didn't arrest the guy with a gun because not enough citizens contacted me to say they were upset about him?

February 20, 2012 3:36 PM

Give me a break. Cops don't arrest people because other people were upset with them. You are an idiot.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Folks realize what are our options if we dont rehire freddie. We cant do a search in such a short time. So we hire an interim Super and that would be Margo or Cathy. Who would want one of those ladies in the position. I don't and I work for the system.

February 20, 2012 4:20 PM

Sounds like Freddie himself. Good try John, thanks for reading the blog on your day off from a school holiday.

Anonymous said...

As a teacher I do not feel that I can voice my opinion to the board. Yes, I feel cowardly but I fear that I will "pay" for my opinions for years to come. I am hopeful that our board will not reappoint simply because we don't have an apprioriate replacement in the wings. Don't our children deserve strong and honest leadership? I have to believe that these group leaders will make the right choice and NOT reappoint Dr. Frederickson. I have to believe that these leaders are willing to put the work in to find an honest leader that can help our children and community grow to its fullest potential!

Anonymous said...

It is hard to believe only 1 person contacted the school board. I sent an e-mail to Ron Willey and received a responce.

Anonymous said...

Interim would not have to be Handy or Townsend......agreed that they're not the right pick either. However I do believe there are a few out there who would be willing to be interim ....just need to know who to ask. Its recommended that the Public School Superintendent's Association of Maryland be consulted for such information. I just hope that the Board doesn't reappoint Fredericksen just because they think they can't get anyone else. That would be a tremendous tragedy for our schools.

Anonymous said...

Just tell them , if reapointment takes place, a movememt will start to oust the whole bunch.It can be done in todays world of the enternet.

Anonymous said...

I contacted the board members regarding this last month as well. I also witnessed my friend doing the same.
Which board member said that they only received one email? I have return receipts on my emails.

On another note, while I am not a fan of Dr F, bringing his wife or home life into this argument is very inappropriate. I could care less what he brings to neighborhood shin digs or what his yard looks like. I am vested in my children's education though. Enough of the childish attacks, state the facts that pertain to our children or stop posting.

Anonymous said...

5:11 Based on the number of folks who bothered to show up at School Board meetings since this 'news' broke, I would be highly doubtful of the chances of success of any such movement.

Anonymous said...

I agree..even if a person is considered to not be effective at their job (or even an outright snake) there is never a need to bring their spouse into the crossfire. What they do on a personal level should not be mixed with what he does on a professional level.

I too would love for the person who posted the original statement "If he gets re-appointed don't complain. I have talked to several of the BOE members and they state that no one contacted them except 1 person and it is more than likely the author of this post. I have seen the emails of the board members listed on this blog several times and no one took the initiative to contact them. When you snooze you lose." to share with us WHO they actually talked with.
Which SEVERAL members of the board stated that only 1 person had contacted them?

All the citizens want is some truths!!! If no names are provided, we can assume it was a board member or one of the cronies who write that statement, because they can never provide any information to back up anything they state.

Anonymous said...

Enough already. If you value education in Wicomico County, go to the board meeting Tuesday at 1:30. 101 Long Ave, Salisbury. Be early, be willing to speak up for your children who are subjected to a failing school system. Hold the leaders accountable! So, where will you be at that time?

Anonymous said...

get your children out of government schools. you are responsible for your childrens education. no one else; just you. your children only have one chance to get it right.

Anonymous said...

Huge turnouts to talk about what kids wear. Guess nobody fears retaliation if you're there to support something the board wants.

Anonymous said...

Wonder where that group "Parents In Action" are on this? They seemed to advocate for the children and seemed engaged. Where they only a one issue group?

Anonymous said...

The parents in action group members have been sending letters to the board members. No doubt they have received more than one letter of concern.

Anonymous said...

This is most unfortunate for our entire community. I have been in Dr. Fredrickson's company several times during his tenure here in salisbury and he does seem like e nice person, however if there is this much concern about his actions then there may be something to it and maybe it should be looked into. As the old saying goes where there is smoke there is usually fire. My spouse is a key employee at the board and she works very hard at her position and this turmoil definately has an effect on everyone working there. We should concentrate on the hard facts, our schools in Wicomico County are near the bottom of the state list. The accomplishments of the current organization is nothing to be proud of. I am an executive with a major corporation here on the Delmarva peninsula and if my results were a fraction of theirs I would be looking for another job, because corporations are results driven and they would send me packing. We have many empty business parks, buildings and manufacturing facilities here in town, do you think it is only because of the current downturn in the economy then you are fooling yourself. Corporations look for many things when they are searching for new sites to house their businesses and the education system is one along with other tiems this county nis missing the boat on. I would love to expose who I am and go public wiht my comments but I cannot betray the trust of my wife, she works hard, loves her job and the people she works with and I would like to believe that she would not experience any reataliation but I am not nieve either.

THe comment that the board may be afraid to send him on his way because they do not have time to find either a stand in or permanent replacement is the most foolish thing I have ever heard, that would be like leaving a cancer growth in your body until you find the perfect cure. I have long been a believer in good morals adn a strong honest approach to everything I have done in life. It may not bring me great wealth but it has provided my family with a good life and me with a great and comfortable conscience. there is no other way to operate in life. If this county goes to an elected board I will commit to reducing all of my other committments and run for a board position and at least bring to it a code of ethics and reasonabledecisions based on facts and information.

Dear board members remember that you have a committment and responsibility to the members of this community, business leaders and most important the children and their future. Your decision whatever it may be will be with you to the end. Be brave and make the decision that is correct and don't be forced into a decision because of friendship, personal benefits or cowardness. You can bestow some credibility by holdingoff any appointments until the past concerns are fully investigated.

Sincerely,

Very Concerned Citizen

Anonymous said...

Is PIA the same thing as PTA?

Anonymous said...

That Kim Hudson girl was strong on the Bennett Middle School project to the point she even cried about it at a council meeting I attended. Where is she now?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

It is hard to believe only 1 person contacted the school board. I sent an e-mail to Ron Willey and received a responce.

February 20, 2012 4:49 PM

Did it ever occur to you that you should have contacted more board members than just Ron Willey. Sometime you people speak and make idiots of yourselves.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Just tell them , if reapointment takes place, a movememt will start to oust the whole bunch.It can be done in todays world of the enternet.

February 20, 2012 5:11 PM

All talk and no action. Poor grammar and spelling by the way.

Anonymous said...

Are there any public performance reports or job evaluations on this guy? I can't think of anything good he has done and wonder how any reasonable person can justify reappointment. Maybe the police could do some investigating to see what's up. Specially since they got cameras to take care of speeders, they should have some free time on their hands to do some real police work and protect the tax dollars. After the 100M for one school attempt, all the teacher/aids abuse cases and this reappointment, i think there is reasonable cause to do an in depth investigation into the entire boe.

Anonymous said...

hmmmm, as an impartial bystander, after readin these posts I truly am wonderign who's at fault here. Appears tome when people are talking about pickup trucks and sushi, I can see why there is an issue. Alot of some of these eastern shore folks managed to get a bit of an education and think they know better than the rest of us. They are most likely upset since they can't get Dr. F to go along with their agendas so they attack him anonimously through this blog?
Just wondering!

Anonymous said...

Someone has lied about one person contacting the board. The reason no one will show up today is FEAR. The other, its a daytime meeting and BOE staff teaching our children. Can this topic be placed at the top Joe?

Anonymous said...

Ron Willey, this community is counting on you and your team to protect this educational system.

Anonymous said...

To the people who say they have left email messages for the Board members and the Board members are saying they only heard from one person.....remember they have BOE addresses so someone can be blocking emails going to these individuals. Need to show up tomorrow and let your voice be heard.

Anonymous said...

The board members are reading the letters.