text:
NewYork.Public.Law
Laws of New York
New York Laws
Educ. Law
School Dist. Organization
New York City Community School Dist. System
Powers & Duties of Chancellor
New York Education Law
Sec. § 2590-H
Powers and Duties of Chancellor
The office of chancellor of the city district is hereby continued. Such chancellor shall serve at the pleasure of and be employed by the mayor of the city of New York by contract. The length of such contract shall not exceed by more than two years the term of office of the mayor authorizing such contract. The chancellor shall receive a salary to be fixed by the mayor within the budgetary allocation therefor. He or she shall exercise all his or her powers and duties in a manner not inconsistent with the city-wide educational policies of the city board. The chancellor shall have the following powers and duties as the superintendent of schools and chief executive officer for the city district, which the chancellor shall exercise to promote an equal educational opportunity for all students in the schools of the city district, promote fiscal and educational equity, increase student achievement and school performance and encourage local school-based innovation, including the power and duty to:
Control and operate:
academic and vocational senior high schools until such time as the same may be transferred to the jurisdiction of appropriate community district education councils pursuant to this article;
all specialized senior high schools. The special high schools shall include the present schools known as: The Bronx High School of Science, Stuyvesant High School, Brooklyn Technical High School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and the Arts in the borough of Manhattan, and such further schools which the city board may designate from time to time. The special schools shall be permitted to maintain a discovery program in accordance with the law in effect on the date preceding the effective date of this section; admissions to the special schools shall be conducted in accordance with the law in effect on the date preceding the effective date of this section;
all special education programs and services conducted pursuant to this chapter;
subject to the provisions of section twenty-five hundred ninety-i of this article, devolving powers to the schools, city-wide programs for city-wide services to a substantial number of persons from more than one community district, including transportation; food services; payroll and personnel functions, including pension and retirement services; and enforcement of laws and regulations promoting equal opportunity in employment, access to public accommodations and facilities, equal opportunity in education, and preventing and addressing unlawful discrimination; provided, however, that a community district may also operate within its district programs which provide similar services otherwise authorized by this article.
Establish, control and operate new schools or programs of the types specified in subdivision one of this section, or to discontinue any such schools and programs as he or she may determine; provided, however, that the chancellor shall consult with the affected community district education council before:
substantially expanding or reducing such an existing school or program within a community district;
initially utilizing a community district school or facility for such a school or program;
instituting any new program within a community district. 2-a.
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, prepare an educational impact statement regarding any proposed school closing or significant change in school utilization, including the phase-out, grade reconfiguration, re-siting, or co-location of schools, for any public school located within the city district.
Such educational impact statement shall include the following information regarding the proposed school closing or significant change in school utilization:
the current and projected pupil enrollment of the affected school, the prospective need for such school building, the ramifications of such school closing or significant change in school utilization upon the community, initial costs and savings resulting from such school closing or significant change in school utilization, the potential disposability of any closed school;
the impacts of the proposed school closing or significant change in school utilization to any affected students;
an outline of any proposed or potential use of the school building for other educational programs or administrative services;
the effect of such school closing or significant change in school utilization on personnel needs, the costs of instruction, administration, transportation, and other support services;
the type, age, and physical condition of such school building, maintenance, and energy costs, recent or planned improvements to such school building, and such building's special features;
(vi)
the ability of other schools in the affected community district to accommodate pupils following the school closure or significant change in school utilization; and
information regarding such school's academic performance including whether such school has been identified as a school under registration review or has been identified as a school requiring academic progress, a school in need of improvement, or a school in corrective action or restructuring status.
Such educational impact statement shall be made publicly available, including via the city board's official internet website, and a copy shall also be filed with the city board, the impacted community council, community boards, community superintendent, and school based management team at least six months in advance of the first day of school in the succeeding school year.
No sooner than thirty days, but no later than forty-five days following the filing of the educational impact statement, the chancellor or deputy chancellor, or in the case of a proposed significant change in school utilization the chancellor or his or her designee, shall hold a joint public hearing with the impacted community council and school based management team, at the school that is subject to the proposed school closing or significant change in school utilization, and shall allow all interested parties an opportunity to present comments or concerns regarding the proposed school closing or significant change in school utilization. The chancellor shall ensure that notice of such hearing is widely and conspicuously posted in such a manner to maximize the number of affected individuals that receive notice, including providing notice to affected parents and students, and shall also notify members of the community boards and the elected state and local officials who represent the affected community district. (d-1) So long as the revised proposal does not impact any school other than a school that was identified in the initial educational impact statement, the chancellor, after receiving public input, may substantially revise the proposed school closing or significant change in school utilization provided that the chancellor shall prepare a revised educational impact statement, in the form prescribed in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, and publish and file such educational impact statement in the same manner as prescribed in paragraph (c) of this subdivision. No sooner than fifteen days following the filing of such revised educational impact statement, the chancellor or deputy chancellor, or in the case of a significant change in school utilization the chancellor or his or her designee, shall hold a joint public hearing with the impacted community council and school based management team, at the school that is subject to the proposed school closing or significant change in school utilization and shall allow all interested parties an opportunity to present comments and concerns regarding such proposal. The chancellor shall ensure that notice of such hearing is widely and conspicuously posted in such a manner to maximize the number of affected individuals that receive notice, including providing notice to affected parents and students, and shall also notify members of the community boards and the elected state and local officials who represent the affected community district.
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (f) of this subdivision, all proposed school closings or significant changes in school utilization shall be approved by the city board pursuant to section twenty-five hundred ninety-g of this article and shall not take effect until all the provisions of this subdivision have been satisfied and the school year in which such city board approval was granted, has ended.
In the event that the chancellor determines that a school closing or significant change in school utilization is immediately necessary for the preservation of student health, safety or general welfare, the chancellor may temporarily close a public school or adopt a significant change in the school's utilization on an emergency basis. Such emergency school closing or significant change in school utilization shall only remain in effect for six months, during such time the chancellor shall comply with the requirements of this subdivision in order for such school closure or significant change in school utilization to extend beyond the six month period.
Subject to the approval of the city board, develop a plan to provide for the establishment of comprehensive high schools within the city district so that every community district shall have available to its graduates further education and a comprehensive high school. Such plan may provide for the conversion of academic and vocational high schools and may be amended or modified from time to time.
Appoint teacher-aides for the schools and programs under his or her jurisdiction within the budgetary allocation therefor.
Retain jurisdiction over all employees who are required in connection with the performance of duties with respect to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of all school buildings in the city school district. Such employees shall have all rights accorded them under the provisions of the civil service law, including manner of appointment, classification, promotion, transfer and removal including an opportunity to be heard provided, however, that each custodian shall be responsible for the performance of his or her duties to the principal of the school who shall be responsible to the district superintendent.
Employ or retain counsel subject to the powers and duties of the corporation counsel of the city of New York to be his or her attorney and counsel pursuant to subdivision a of section three hundred ninety-four of the New York city charter; provided, however, that in actions or proceedings between the city board or the chancellor and one or more community boards, the city board or the chancellor shall be represented by the corporation counsel of the city of New York.
To continue existing voluntary programs or to establish new programs under which students may choose to attend a public school in another community district.
Promulgate minimum clear educational standards, curriculum requirements and frameworks, and mandatory educational objectives applicable to all schools and programs throughout the city district, and examine and evaluate periodically all such schools and programs with respect to (i) compliance with such educational standards and other requirements, and
the educational effectiveness of such schools and programs, in a manner not inconsistent with the policies of the city board.
Furnish community district education councils and the city board periodically with the results of such examinations and evaluations and to make the same public.
Require each community superintendent to make an annual report covering all matters relating to schools under the district's jurisdiction including, but not limited to, the evaluation of the educational effectiveness of such schools and programs connected therewith.
Require such community district education council or superintendent to make such number of periodic reports as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
Perform the following functions throughout the city district; provided, however, that the chancellor and any community district education council may agree that any such function may be appropriately performed by the community district education council with respect to the schools and programs under its jurisdiction:
Technical assistance to community districts and schools;
Such warehouse space on a regional basis as he or she determines to be necessary or appropriate after consultation with the community superintendents;
Purchasing services on a city-wide, regional or community district basis subject to subdivision thirty-six of this section;
Reinforce and foster connections to institutions of higher education to promote student achievement.
Develop and furnish pre-service and in-service training programs for principals and other employees throughout the city district. In addition, the chancellor shall prepare and annually update a training plan for participating parents, and school personnel, which shall include, at minimum, such training as may be required for exercise of their responsibilities, full participation and compliance with the provisions of this section. The chancellor shall, in addition, within amounts appropriated, allocate sufficient funds directly and to the superintendents for teacher and principal training to meet identified needs for school improvement.
Promote the involvement and appropriate input of all members of the school community pursuant to the provisions of this article, including parents, teachers, and other school personnel, including:
establishing a parents' association or a parent-teachers' association in each public school under the chancellor's jurisdiction; and ensuring that the districts and charter schools located within the city district do the same; the chancellor shall ensure that meetings of such parents' associations or parent-teachers' associations shall comply with section four hundred fourteen of this chapter;
pursuant to a plan prepared in consultation with associations of parents, and representatives of teachers, supervisors, paraprofessionals and other school personnel within the city district, and promulgated no later than January thirty-first, nineteen hundred ninety-eight, (i) taking all necessary steps to ensure that no later than October first, nineteen hundred ninety-nine, the city district and the community districts are in full compliance, and remain in compliance thereafter, with state and federal law and regulations concerning school-based management and shared decision-making, including section 100.11 of the commissioner's regulations, in a manner which balances participation by parents with participation by school personnel in advising in the decisions devolved to schools pursuant to sections twenty-five hundred ninety-i and twenty-five hundred ninety-r of this article, and
pursuant to such plan providing for appropriate training to any parent and school personnel who participate in the school based management and shared decision-making process; (b-1) school based management teams developed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subdivision shall possess the following powers and duties:
develop an annual school comprehensive educational plan and consult on the school-based budget pursuant to section twenty-five hundred ninety-r of this article. Such school comprehensive educational plan shall be developed concurrently with the development of the school-based budget so that it may inform the decision-making process and result in the alignment of the comprehensive educational plan and the school-based budget for the ensuing school year. Such plan shall be submitted to the community superintendent along with the principal's written justification demonstrating that the school-based budget proposal is aligned with the school's comprehensive educational plan and the school based management team's response to such justification pursuant to paragraph (h) of subdivision one of section twenty-five hundred ninety-f of this article. In the case of specialized, academic, vocational, and other high schools that are not under the jurisdiction of a community superintendent, such plan shall be submitted to the chancellor pursuant to subdivision e of section twenty-five hundred ninety-r of this article. The chancellor shall ensure that the comprehensive educational plan of every school within the city district is easily accessible and be made available for public inspection including via the city board's official internet website;
hold at least one meeting per month during the school year. Each monthly meeting shall be held at a time that is convenient for the parent representatives;
provide notice of monthly meetings that is consistent with the open meetings law;
have parent members of such teams make recommendations, consistent with the chancellor's regulations, on the selection of the school principal and have all members be consulted prior to the appointment of any principal candidate to its school;
undergo initial and ongoing training that will allow its members to carry out their duties effectively;
dispute any decision made by the principal to the community superintendent pursuant to section twenty-five hundred ninety-f of this article where members of the school based management team, other than the principal, reach a consensus that the decision is inconsistent with the goals and policies set forth in the school's existing comprehensive educational plan; and
provide to the community superintendent an annual assessment of the school principal's record of developing an effective shared decision-making relationship with school based management team members; and
developing, in consultation with associations of parents in the city district, and implementing no later than October first, nineteen hundred ninety-eight, a parental bill of rights which provides for, at minimum:
reasonable access by parents, persons in parental relation and guardians to schools, classrooms, and academic and attendance records of their own children, consistent with federal and state laws, provided that such access does not disrupt or interfere with the regular school process;
the rights of parents, persons in parental relation and guardians to take legal action and appeal the decisions of the school administration, as authorized by law;
the right of parents, persons in parental relation and guardians to have information on their own child's educational materials;
access to and information about all public meetings, hearings of the chancellor, the city board, the community superintendents, the community district education councils, and the schools; and
access to information regarding programs that allow students to apply for admission where appropriate to schools outside a student's own attendance zone. The chancellor shall by rule or regulation provide for the involvement including membership, in any parents' association or parent-teacher association established pursuant to this subdivision, of a grandparent who is in parental relation to a child who attends a school within the jurisdiction of the community school district. For purposes of this subdivision, a grandparent shall be considered to be in parental relation to a child when such grandparent has assumed care of such child because such child's parents are not available due to death, imprisonment, mental illness, living outside the state, abandonment of the child, or other circumstances. A determination of whether a grandparent is in parental relation to a child shall be based upon the individual circumstances surrounding guardianship and custodial care of such child.
Promulgate such rules and regulations as he or she may determine to be necessary or convenient to accomplish the purposes of this act, not inconsistent with the provisions of this article and the city-wide educational policies of the city board. 16-a. Create standards, policies, and objectives and promulgate regulations directly related to maintaining the internal fiscal integrity of administrative operations by the chancellor, the community districts, and the schools.
Possess those powers and duties described in section twenty-five hundred fifty-four of this title, the exercise of which shall be in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this article and the city-wide educational policies of the city board.
Possess those powers and duties contained in section nine hundred twelve of this chapter and those provisions of article fifteen of this chapter which relate to non-public schools, those powers and duties contained in section five hundred twenty-two of the New York city charter, and those powers and duties contained in article seventy-three of this chapter, the exercise of which shall be in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this article and the city-wide educational policies of the city board.
Delegate any of his or her powers and duties to such subordinate officers or employees as he or she deems appropriate and to modify or rescind any power and duty so delegated.
Ensure compliance with qualifications established for all personnel employed in the city district, including the taking of fingerprints as a prerequisite for licensure and/or employment of such personnel. Every set of fingerprints taken pursuant to this subdivision shall be promptly submitted to the division of criminal justice services where it shall be appropriately processed. Furthermore, the division of criminal justice services is authorized to submit the fingerprints to the federal bureau of investigation for a national criminal history record check.
Perform the functions of the bureau of audit throughout the city district, including ensuring compliance with subdivisions thirty-six and thirty-seven of this section.
Establish uniform procedures for record keeping, accounting and reporting throughout the city district, including pupil record keeping, accounting and reporting.
Develop an educational facilities master plan, and revisions thereto, as defined in section twenty-five hundred ninety-o of this article.
Develop and implement a five-year educational facilities capital plan, and amendments thereto, as defined in section twenty-five hundred ninety-p of this article. The chancellor shall also appoint a person, who reports directly to the chancellor or his or her designee, to assist in the development and implementation of such plan and amendments thereto and to oversee the school buildings program.
On the chancellor's own initiative, or at the request of a community superintendent, transfer a principal employed by a community school district pursuant to an agreement with the employee organization representing such principals. The chancellor shall establish a procedure for consulting with affected parents to explain any such transfer. Consistent with section twenty-five hundred ninety-i of this article, including without limitation subdivision three thereof, and subdivision one thereof with respect to the rights and obligations of a school to which a principal is transferred, in addition to any other law providing for the transfer of principals, the chancellor also may cause the transfer or removal of principals for persistent educational failure, conflicts of interest, and ethics violations, and may require principals to participate in training and other remedial programs to address identified factors affecting student achievement and school performance.
Establish educational and experience qualifications and requirements for all custodial positions including, but not limited to, custodians and custodial engineers and develop standards for evaluating the performance of all such individuals, subject to approval of the city board. Such performance standards shall include, but not be limited to: the cleanliness of facilities; adequacy and timeliness of minor repairs; maintenance of good working order of facilities and grounds; general facilities improvement; and emergency services. The chancellor shall promulgate regulations setting forth the respective responsibilities of the district plant manager, which shall include regular consultation and ongoing reports to the community superintendent, and the principal of each school for evaluating the performance of the custodial employees assigned to his or her school, in accordance with such performance standards, and such performance evaluations shall be given dominant weight in any decision for the purposes of: advancement; continued employment; building transfers; and other performance incentives. The responsibility of the principal of each school in the evaluation of custodial employees may be a matter for collective bargaining with collective bargaining representatives for principals.
Promulgate regulations, in conjunction with each community superintendent, establishing a plan for providing access to school facilities in each community school district, when not in use for school purposes, in accordance with the provisions of section four hundred fourteen of this chapter. Such plan shall set forth a reasonable system of fees not to exceed the actual costs and specify that no part of any fee shall directly or indirectly benefit or be deposited into an account which inures to the benefit of the custodians or custodial engineers.
Promulgate regulations establishing educational, managerial, and administrative qualifications, performance record criteria, and performance standards for the positions of superintendent and principal.
Select and appoint a community superintendent, in compliance with the qualifications required by subdivision twenty-nine of this section and subject to the provisions of subdivision two of section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of this article, and in consultation with the corresponding community district education council, at a salary to be fixed within the budgetary allocation therefor.
Intervene in any district or school which is persistently failing to achieve educational results and standards approved by the city board or established by the state board of regents, or has failed to improve its educational results and student achievement in accordance with such standards or state or city board requirements, or in any school or district in which there exists, in the chancellor's judgment, a state of uncontrolled or unaddressed violence. The chancellor may, in addition to exercising any other powers authorized by this article, require such school principal, or district as the case may be, to prepare a corrective action plan, with a timetable for implementation of steps acceptable to the chancellor to reach improvement goals consistent with city board standards and educational results. The chancellor may require the school or district to alter or improve the corrective action plan, or may directly modify the plan. The chancellor shall monitor implementation of the plan, and, if the school or district fails to implement it, may supersede any inconsistent decision of the school principal, community district education council or community superintendent; assume joint or direct control of the operation of the school or district to implement the corrective action plan; or take any other action authorized by this article. Any action of the chancellor to supercede an inconsistent decision of the school principal, community district education council or community superintendent, or to assume joint or direct control of the operation of the school or district pursuant to this subdivision may be appealed to the city board in accordance with section twenty-five hundred ninety-g of this article.
Appoint a deputy, for each borough of the city of New York, responsible for coordinating and periodically meeting and consulting with the borough president, the chancellor and the community superintendents in the borough on borough-specific issues and issues of borough-wide significance, including the provision of services in support of schools and community districts such as transportation, purchasing, capital planning, and coordination with municipal services, and chancellor and city board policy with respect to the high schools.
Require community school board members to participate in training and retraining in order to promote district and school performance and student achievement, as a continuing condition for membership.
Take all necessary steps to promote the effectiveness and integrity of school-based budgeting pursuant to section twenty-five hundred ninety-r of this article, including the obligations imposed by subdivision thirty-seven of this section.
Develop a procurement policy for the city school district of the city of New York and the community districts and public schools therein to ensure the wise and prudent use of public money in the best interest of the taxpayers of the state; guard against favoritism, improvidence, extravagance, fraud, and corruption; and ensure that contracts are awarded consistent with law and on the basis of best value, including, but not limited to, the following criteria: quality, cost and efficiency.
Such policy shall specifically include:
a competitive sealed bidding process for the awarding of contracts in which sealed bids are publicly solicited and opened and that a contract is awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder;
processes for awarding contracts using alternatives to competitive sealed bidding where competitive sealed bidding is not practicable or not advantageous, in which case the most competitive alternative method of procurement, which is appropriate under the circumstances, shall be used consistent with the requirements of subparagraph (vii) of this paragraph;
measures to enhance the ability of minority and women owned business enterprises to compete for contracts and to ensure their meaningful participation in the procurement process;
the manner for administering contracts and overseeing the performance of contracts and contractors;
standards and procedures to be used in determining whether bidders are responsible;
circumstances under which procurement may be used for the provision of technical, consultant or personal services;
requiring written justification for the basis, including the efficiency, benefit, and necessity, for awarding a contract using procurement methods other than competitive sealed bidding including competitive sealed proposals and sole source contracts, and for awarding technical, consultant, or personal services contracts, franchises, revocable consents, or concessions. Such written justification shall be filed with the comptroller of the city of New York along with the corresponding contract, franchise, revocable consent, or concession;
maintaining a file for every contract franchise, revocable consent, and concession containing information pertaining to the solicitation, award and management of every such contract or agreement. Such file shall contain copies of each determination, writing or filing required by this subdivision and shall be open to public inspection with adequate protection for information which is confidential;
a process for the filing of all contracts, franchises, revocable consents, and concessions with the comptroller of the city of New York;
a process for emergency procurement in the case of an unforeseen danger to life, safety, property or a necessary service provided that such procurement shall be made with such competition as is practicable under the circumstances and that a written determination of the basis for the emergency procurement shall be required and filed with the comptroller of the city of New York when such emergency contract is filed with such comptroller; and
(xi)
procedures for the fair and equitable resolution of contract disputes.
Consistent with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision such policy shall also include:
standards for quality, function, and utility of all material goods, supplies, and services purchased by the chancellor, superintendents, or schools;
regulations which enable superintendents and schools to purchase material goods, supplies, and services directly from vendors or suppliers when such products are available at prices or other terms more economically beneficial for the purposes of the acquiring superintendent or school; and
regulations shall include repair services and building supplies, as defined in such regulations, for expenditures from each district's minor repair and purchasing funds pursuant to section twenty-five hundred ninety-r of this article.
The chancellor shall be responsible for certifying that the procedural requisites pursuant to this subdivision and section twenty-five hundred ninety-g of this article have been met, prior to the filing any contract awarded by a procurement method other than competitive sealed bidding, or prior to filing any technical, consultant, or personal services contract, franchise, revocable consent, or concession with the comptroller of the city of New York. The corporation counsel for the city of New York shall certify prior to the filing of such contract or agreement with the comptroller of the city of New York, that the city district has legal authority to award each such contract or agreement.
(i) No contract, franchise, revocable consent or concession shall be implemented until a copy has been filed with the comptroller of the city of New York and either such comptroller has registered it or thirty days have elapsed from the date of filing, whichever is sooner, unless an objection has been filed pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, or the comptroller of the city of New York has grounds for not registering such contract or agreement under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.
Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, the comptroller of the city of New York shall register such contract or agreement within thirty days unless such comptroller has information indicating that: (1) there remains no unexpended and unapplied balance of the appropriation or fund applicable thereto, sufficient to pay the estimated expense of executing such contract or agreement; (2) a certification required pursuant to this paragraph has not been made; or (3) the proposed vendor has been debarred by the city of New York.
The comptroller of the city of New York may, within thirty days of the date of filing of the contract, franchise, revocable consent or concession with his or her office, object in writing to the registration of such contract or agreement, if in such comptroller's judgment there is sufficient reason to believe that there is possible corruption in the letting of such contract or agreement or that the proposed contractor is involved in corrupt activity. Such objection shall be delivered within such thirty day period to the mayor of the city of New York setting forth in detail the grounds for the New York city comptroller's determination. The mayor of the city of New York may require registration of the contract or agreement despite the New York city comptroller's objections if the mayor of the city of New York has responded to such comptroller's objections in writing, indicating: (1) the corrective actions if any, that have been taken or will be taken in response to such comptroller's objections, or (2) the reasons why the mayor of the city of New York disagrees with such comptroller's objections. Such response by the mayor of the city of New York shall not serve as the basis for further objection by the New York city comptroller, and such comptroller shall register the contract, franchise, revocable consent or concession within ten days of receipt of the mayor of the city of New York's response.
The requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subdivision shall not apply to an emergency contract awarded pursuant to subparagraph (x) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, provided that the chancellor shall comply with the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subdivision as soon as practicable.
Establish guidelines and a system of internal controls, including internal administrative controls and internal accounting controls, with provisions for internal audits, as such terms are defined in section nine hundred fifty of the executive law. Such system shall also include a system of internal control review designed to identify weaknesses and identify actions to rectify them; a clear and concise statement of the generally applicable management policies and standards made available to each officer and employee relevant to fiscal and expenditure control, in addition to education and training efforts to ensure adequate understanding of internal control standards and evaluation techniques; and the designation of an internal control officer for each community district, each of whom shall report to the chancellor and the auditor general, to execute a regular internal audit function, which shall operate in accordance with generally accepted governmental auditing standards. The internal auditors for the community districts shall operate in cooperation with the auditor general, appointed by the chancellor, who shall, in addition to the functions of the internal auditors, monitor and conduct random audits of school districts at least once every two years for fraud, waste, and mismanagement. Notwithstanding any provision of state law or state or city regulation, the internal auditors, and the auditor general, shall be entitled, upon their request, to all and any documents and materials bearing in their judgment on the finances and cost-effectiveness of the schools and the school districts that is in the possession of the community districts, the schools, or any officer thereof.
To exercise all of the duties and responsibilities of the employing board as set forth in section three thousand twenty-a of this chapter with respect to any member of the teaching or supervisory staff of schools under the jurisdiction of the community district education councils. The chancellor shall exercise all such duties and responsibilities for all community districts or may delegate the exercise of all such duties and responsibilities to all of the community superintendents of the city district. 38-a. To exercise all of the duties and responsibilities of the employing board as set forth in section three thousand twenty-a of this chapter with respect to any member of the teaching or supervisory staff of schools which are not covered under subdivision thirty-eight of this section. Provided, however that the city board shall maintain jurisdiction over any consequence resulting from an employee waiver of a hearing, as provided for in paragraph (d) of subdivision two of section three thousand twenty-a of this chapter.
(a) Prescribe regulations and by-laws requiring members of the city board, the chancellor, and any other officer or employee in schools and programs under the jurisdiction of the city board and the chancellor to make annual written disclosure to the chancellor, of the following information:
the employment by the city school board or any community district education council of any person related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to the person making disclosure, including the employment of any such person for which a two-thirds vote was required under paragraph (e) of subdivision four of section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of this article, with a notation of the date such vote was taken.
the source of any income, reimbursement, gift, or other form of compensation for services rendered, together with a description of such services.
The chancellor shall review, at least once annually, compliance with the requirements of subdivisions five and six of section twenty-five hundred ninety-e of this article and regulations or by-laws prescribed in this subdivision. Any community district education council member, community superintendent, or other officer or employee required to make disclosure, who fails to make such disclosure, shall be notified in writing of his or her failure to do so and given thirty days within which to comply.
Willful failure to make full and timely disclosure shall constitute cause for removal from office of any member of the city board or for any other officer or employee disciplinary action and such other penalty as may be provided by law.
Disclosures made pursuant to the requirements of this subdivision and any notification of failure to make disclosures shall be made available for public inspection during regular business hours on regular business days.
(a) Prescribe regulations and by-laws requiring members of the city board, the chancellor, and, for good cause shown, any other officer or employee in schools and programs under the jurisdiction of the city board and the chancellor, to submit to the chancellor, in the discretion of the chancellor, financial reports for themselves and their spouses.
The frequency and period of coverage, the designation of persons to submit such reports by name, title, or income level, or by a combination thereof, and the content of such reports, including minimum dollar amounts, shall be determined by the chancellor, and such reports may include but not necessarily be limited to the following:
amount and source of income for services rendered, together with a description of such services;
amount and source of gifts, capital gains, reimbursements for expenditures, and honoraria;
investments in securities and real property;
amount of debts and names of creditors;
outstanding loans and other forms of indebtedness due to person reporting or spouse, by name and amounts; and
trusts and other fiduciary relationships and their assets in which a beneficial interest is held.
Willful failure to file required financial reports shall constitute cause for removal from office of any member of the city board or for any other officer or employee disciplinary action and such other penalty as may be provided by law.
Appoint and set salaries for staff in non-represented managerial titles.
(a) To dispose of such personal property used in the schools and other buildings of the city of New York under the charge of the city board as shall no longer be required for use therein. Such disposition shall be made in the name of the city of New York and for such city.
The chancellor may sell, at prices as may be agreed upon, such manufactured articles or other products of any school of the district, day and evening, as may not be utilized by the city board, and all moneys realized by the sale thereof shall be paid into the city treasury and shall at once be appropriated by the city to a special fund to be administered by the city board for such purposes as such board, in its discretion, may determine. All other moneys realized by the sale of personal property shall be paid into the city treasury and shall at once be appropriated by the city to the special school fund of the city board for use in the borough in which the property sold was situated.
Such method of disposal shall be deemed not to apply to the disposition of school books pursuant to subdivision forty-three of this section.
To dispose of, to the best advantage of the city of New York, either by sale or on the basis of money allowance for waste paper, all books delivered to the several public schools of such city that have been discarded either by reason of being obsolete, no longer required by the course of study, worn by long usage, or mutilated by accident. If disposal is made by sale, it shall be to the highest bidder, and the money realized shall be paid into the city treasury and shall at once be appropriated by the city to the special school fund of the city board entitled "supplies". If disposal is made on the basis of money allowance for waste paper, it shall be to the highest bidder. Such discarded books may be disposed of without public advertisement or entry into a formal contract. Should the discarded books be in such condition that no sale or exchange can be made, or should there be reason to believe that such discarded books have become infected through disease among the pupils, or should the superintendent of schools certify that such discarded books contain erroneous, inaccurate, obsolete, or antiquated subject matter, illustrations, maps, charts, or other material, the committee on supplies of the board of education, if such books cannot be sold, given away, or otherwise salvaged as waste paper without danger to the public health, may authorize their destruction by fire, in which event the superintendent of school supplies shall obtain and file in his or her office a certificate that such books have been so destroyed, signed by the principal of the school in which the books are located.
To provide the proper book or books in which he or she shall cause the class teachers under the direction and supervision of the principal to enter the names, ages, and residences of the pupils attending the school, the name of the parent or guardian of each pupil, and the days on which the pupils shall have attended respectively, and the aggregate attendance of each pupil during the year, and also the day upon which the school shall have been visited by the superintendent of schools or by an associate superintendent of schools or by an assistant superintendent, or by members of the city board, or by members of the community district education council, or by any of them, which entry shall be verified by such oath or affirmation of the principal as may be prescribed by the chancellor. Such books shall be preserved as the property of the chancellor and shall at all times be open to inspection by members of the city board, by members of the community councils and by the superintendent of schools, or by any associate superintendent of schools, or by the assistant superintendents.
Make rules and regulations for the conduct, operation, and maintenance of extra classroom activities and for the safeguarding, accounting, and audit of all moneys received and derived therefrom. In the case of any extra classroom activity as it shall deem proper, and notwithstanding the provisions of section twenty-five hundred thirty of this title, it may direct that the moneys received or derived from the conduct, operation, or maintenance of such an extra classroom activity be deposited with the auditor, who in such event shall be the treasurer of such an extra classroom activity, the moneys of which are required to be so deposited. In the procurement of articles and services for the conduct, operation, and maintenance of a cafeteria or restaurant service, the chancellor shall be subject to applicable provisions of law, except that said chancellor need not have duly advertised for estimates in order to contract for such articles or services in an amount exceeding one thousand dollars. The chancellor shall also have power to assign any officers or employees to perform such duties as he or she may prescribe in connection with an extra classroom activity and to designate such officers and employees when so assigned from whom a bond shall be required for faithful performance of their duties and to fix the sum in which each such bond shall be given.
To maintain, through such representatives as he or she may designate, an effective visitation and inspection of all schools and classes maintained in institutions controlled by the department of correction of the city of New York.
To assign, in his or her discretion, one or more employees of the city board to serve as trial examiner with power to conduct investigations and hearings on behalf of the chancellor. Each trial examiner shall report the result of any such investigation or hearing to the chancellor.
To hold a public meeting in each community district, in conjunction with the community district education council, during a two year period, beginning with the two thousand nine--two thousand ten school year, in order to report on public school finances, student performance, and educational goals and priorities of the city district and to receive and respond to public comments and concerns. The chancellor shall direct the community superintendent to provide public notice of such meeting in order to maximize the participation of parents, students, and all other interested parties.
To provide information, data, estimates and statistics regarding all matters relating to the city district as requested by the director of the independent budget office of the city of New York or the comptroller of the city of New York, in a timely fashion.
To issue an annual report on the participation of minority and women owned business enterprises in the city district's procurement process including the number of contracts awarded to minority and women owned business enterprises, the percent of contracts awarded to minority and women owned business enterprises of the total number of all city district contracts, the aggregate value of all contracts awarded to minority and women owned business enterprises, and the percent of the aggregate value of contracts awarded to minority and women owned business enterprises of the total aggregate value of all city district contracts.
Propose a policy for city board approval that promotes the recruitment and retention of a workforce at the city district, community district, and school level that considers the diversity of the students attending the public schools within the city district. The chancellor shall issue an annual report outlining the initiatives taken to enhance diversity and equity in recruitment and retention and the impacts of such initiatives to the workforce at the city district, community district and school level.
To compile an inventory of and issue a written report about the outdoor schoolyards in the city school district, as required by subdivision fourteen of section twenty-five hundred fifty-six of this title.
To compile an inventory of, issue a written report, and provide recommendations as required by subdivision fifteen of section twenty-five hundred fifty-six of this title regarding transportable classroom units in the city school district. * NB Effective until June 30, 2017 * § 2590-h
Location: https://newyork.public.law/laws/n.y._education_law_section_2590-h
Original Source: Section 2590-H — Powers and Duties of Chancellor, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/2590-H (last accessed Dec. 13, 2016).


text:
David Sartorius
Ever Faithful
Race, Loyalty, and the Ends of Empire in Spanish Cuba
Duke University Press 2014
New Books in Caribbean StudiesNew Books in HistoryNew Books in Latin American StudiesNew Books in Peoples & PlacesNew Books in Politics & SocietyNew Books Network February 22, 2016 Dan Livesay
David Sartorius's recent book Ever Faithful: Race, Loyalty, and the Ends of Empire in Spanish Cuba (Duke University Press, 2014), examines Cuban society in the nineteenth century, and the islanders' proclamations of loyalty to the colony and to Spain. He challenges the notion that Cubans grew increasingly independent minded as events transpired during that century. Instead, he shows that both free and enslaved, white and nonwhite, men and women, all regularly made claims of loyalty to the imperial regime throughout the period. Although these declarations could be self-serving, they were also part of a rhetoric of loyalty at the heart of Cuban culture. This goes some way in explaining Cuba's late independence in Latin America, but more importantly it provides a more complicated picture of everyday individuals' political alignments in the Caribbean. Ever Faithful is part of an open-access pilot project, and can be downloaded for free at the Duke University Press website.
https://files.newbooksnetwork.com/caribbeanstudies/010caribbeanstudiessartorius.mp3

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This course is a great way to be introduced to some of the factors of being mindful.
Mindfulness often talks about being present in the here and now - it helps you to be alive in your life - it helps to stop being yesterday or tomorrow and being aware of today. How often have you physically been somewhere but cont say much about it because mentally you were somewhere else?
EFT Practitioner Training Sat 7th - Sun 8th Sept.
Coaching and working on an individual basis enables us to work together specifically on your needs.
All coaching is offered on a mindful heart based level.
Contact me directly to arrange an initial free consultation to discuss how we can work together.
Join our group for a mindful walk within one of our delightful wooded areas.
This walk does not go far in distance, however will give you the opportunity of connection with both yourself and nature.
It will provide some reflection periods for silent contemplation as well as grounding and centring techniques.
Heal Your Life® work offers coaching workshops/classes and mini retreats based on the work of Louise Hay.
To step out of the hustle and bustle of life and be around like minded people for your rejuvenation and nourishment.
Reiki is a gift to yourself and is primarily about you and your self healing.
These are offered 1-1, group programmes and as residential retreats.
Please tick this box to confirm that you are happy to be added to my contact list. I will occasionally send you information and offers related to the services I offer. You must accept the Terms and Conditions.
Thanks for signing up for our monthly Journey Notes.


text:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<menu xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
      xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
      tools:context=".MainActivity">

    <item
        android:id="@+id/action_refresh"
        android:title="Refresh"
        android:showAsAction="never"/>

</menu>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The hotel has 398 standard double guest bedrooms (a sofa bed can be added for a third person) all rooms have a fully equipped bathroom with hairdryer and amenities, air conditioning, in-room safe (payable locally), fridge, satellite TV, telephone and balcony or terrace. Cots are available on request.
The Taurito Princess all inclusive arrangements include breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main restaurant here you will find an open kitchen with theme dinners with different specialties several times a week. Drinks are also available during the day in the pool bar and the Piano bar (09.15 - 24.00) and in the Princess lounge bar (20.00 to 24.00). The La Choza snack bar is open (10.30 - 18.00) with a take-away service (please check details with us at the time of booking).
The Hotel Taurito has other facilities that include a 24 hour reception, foreign exchange service, a Bazaar, internet corner, hairdresser (chargeable). Children have their own day time and evening entertainment programme, mini club (5 to 12 years), children's playground and children's pool. The hotels facilities also extend to Conferences and meetings with designated rooms and equipment.


text:
Z6_8I8EH902LG7260Q2SCI46DIID1
Z7_8I8EH902L83550QMV8LO8QJIS6
Supporting Healthcare Heroes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Canon Solutions America, Inc. Delivers Over 1,300 Printers to NYC Health + Hospitals
The company jumps in to help frontline workers meet printing needs at New York City testing areas
MELVILLE, NY, October 28, 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way of life for many, but especially New Yorkers. While healthcare workers across the globe continue to provide extraordinary support for those in need, communities can look to local organizations like NYC Health + Hospitals, which is considered one of the largest municipal healthcare systems in the U.S., as influential heroes in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.
As NYC Health + Hospitals' healthcare workers work day and night to provide care to their patients, Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., has jumped in to lend support to these local frontline heroes. Delivering and activating over 1,300 printers for COVID-19 assessment and testing sites throughout 10 hospitals, seven community-based health centers, and four drive-thru sites across New York City, Canon Solutions America, Inc. has been able to initiate a seamless print infrastructure to support the printing needs of NYC Health + Hospitals in critical moments.
Canon Solutions America, Inc. provided NYC Health + Hospitals' medical staff with printing capabilities in COVID-19 pop-up testing locations.
"It is clear that this team thoroughly understands the critical nature of the service provided by our employees," said Ishmael Miller, director of infrastructure services, NYC Health + Hospitals. "We have shifted equipment around to fill needs both in tents which will be used for testing, as well as rolled out equipment to reclaimed hospital space to increase the capacity of the hospital system. Saying that our staff, partners, and volunteers, such as those from Canon Solutions America, Inc.'s team, have gone above and beyond is quite the understatement."
This close cooperation was built on the relationship established by the managed print services provided by Canon Solutions America, Inc. to NYC Health + Hospitals, which are an integral part of the hospital system's "Epic EHR (Electronic Healthcare Record)" initiative. This program ensures that providers across NYC Health + Hospitals' network can more easily access and engage in health data exchange across care settings. This recent effort culminated in approximately 7,000 Epic-enabled printers across NYC Health + Hospitals, helping the organization focus on utilizing its resources and time to support those who were in need.
"The selfless efforts taken by the Canon Solutions America, Inc. team servicing NYC Health + Hospitals further showcase the company's rapid and unwavering support of NYC Health + Hospitals, as well as support in the fight against the COVID-19 global pandemic," said Peter P. Kowalczuk, president, Canon Solutions America, Inc. "Going above and beyond to better service our customers and the community, even in trying times, is something we all should strive to achieve. This effort is a shining example of the power and heart of our team."
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city's five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system's trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or Twitter at @NYCHealthSystem.
About Canon Solutions America, Inc.
Canon Solutions America, Inc. provides industry leading enterprise, production, and large format printing solutions, supported by exceptional professional service offerings. Canon Solutions America, Inc. helps companies of all sizes discover ways to improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and control costs in conjunction with high volume, continuous feed, digital and traditional printing, and document management solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., Canon Solutions America, Inc. is headquartered in Melville, NY and has sales and service locations across the U.S. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit csa.canon.com.
Canon Solutions America
Nicole Esan
niesan@cusa.canon.com
Canon Solutions America, Inc. Website:
csa.canon.com
For sales info/customer support:
Canon Production Printing Launches New Online Large Format Graphics Community
Canon Solutions America, Inc. Introduces Smart Parcel Lockers for Seamless, Contactless Delivery
Taylor Corporation Pushes Commercial Print Boundaries with the Implementation of Production Inkjet


They came off a school bus on North Broad Street, donning bright orange shirts with "Proud Supporter of Memphis Street Academy" written across the front.
These parents and community members, who support the school once nicknamed "Jones Jail" for its violence in Port Richmond, believe that improved education and overall quality of life mean more than the School District of Philadelphia's Charter Office assessment.
This assessment was presented at an School Reform Commission (SRC) meeting earlier this month. On Thursday night, students and parents pleaded their case to SRC members for Memphis Street (MSA), stating its academics had greatly improved since American Paradigm had taken over the school in 2012.
There was no vote on Memphis Street or any other charter schools, and it's unclear when a final decision will be made. Students and parents, however, continued to argue that closing MSA would be a mistake.
Blanca Tovar, the next speaker, wasn't willing to have her autistic son attend MSA due to its violent reputation — but she gave the school a chance, given its change in leadership.
Tovar added she currently has a daughter in sixth-grade, and was one of the worst students in terms of reading level at MSA when she started. Suffering from ADHD, ODD and other behavioral disorders, she has now earned A's and B's in reading classes.
Still, the school district's Charter Schools Office issued a report on May 1st that deems that Memphis Street does not meet academic standards in math, ELA/reading and science.
MSA Principal/CEO Antoinette Powell, however, believes that these metrics are unfair, given the level that students enter the school at. The report also notes that 76 percent of students at MSA live in poverty, above the district average.
Throughout Thursday night's meeting, community members and teachers argued that students at MSA have made tremendous strides that the report does not fairly represent. Jennifer Curson, an ELL teacher at MSA, said Rodriguez-Santos started at a kindergarten reading level and finished at a seventh-grade reading level.
Julie Cousler Emig works at Stoneleigh Foundation, who seeks to help improve living conditions for impoverished and underserved children in the city. She argued the poverty and atmosphere in the neighborhoods surrounding MSA make it tough for students, and that they deserve mental-health and other related services.
After the meeting, Spirit News spoke with Bill Green, former SRC chair and one of the current commissioners. Green stated SRC members are unsure when a final decision on MSA will be made.
Green added that the decision has been tough for him and other SRC members.


text:
{-# LANGUAGE OverloadedStrings #-}
module Data.API.CrunchBase.Image
       ( Image(..)
       , AvailableSize(..)
       ) where

import Data.API.CrunchBase.Response ((.:-))

import Data.Aeson
import Data.Text (Text)
import Data.Attoparsec.Number (Number)
import Control.Applicative
import qualified Data.Vector as V

data Image = Image { attribution :: Maybe Text
                   , availableSizes :: [AvailableSize]
                   } deriving (Eq, Show)

instance FromJSON Image where
  parseJSON (Object o) = Image
                         <$> o .:- "attribution"
                         <*> o .: "available_sizes"

data AvailableSize = AvailableSize { width :: Number
                                   , height :: Number
                                   , url :: Text
                                   } deriving (Eq, Show)

instance FromJSON AvailableSize where
  parseJSON (Array a) = return AvailableSize
                        { width = unpackNumber . unpackHead . V.head $ a
                        , height = unpackNumber . unpackLast . V.head $ a
                        , url = unpackString . V.last $ a
                        }
    where unpackHead (Array v) = V.head v
          unpackLast (Array v) = V.last v
          unpackNumber (Number n) = n
          unpackString (String t) = t


There's a new Bad Boy in town. Diddy passes the torch to his son, Christian Combs. The 18-year-old rapper, who goes by King, debuts not one, but two new singles.
The first, "Party," is a summer-ready jam featuring his SNL and CYN crew members. Over a sample of Queen Pen's classic "Party Ain't a Party," the young Combs channels Bad Boy's golden era while having some fun.
Get down to his feel-good sounds below (via HNHH).
The second single, "One for Me," features a sample of another familiar '90s joint, SWV's "You're the One." Produced by Tank, the love song finds King showing a softer side and spitting game to the ladies ("Marathon, you been runnin' through my mind lately").
King performed both songs on "106 & Park" during the BET Experience. He recently signed to Bad Boy/Epic Records and is readying his debut album.
Listen to Diddy's heir to the throne.


text:
Vintage Automobile Stamp Collection
Ladies and Gentlemen start your engines and get ready to roar through the 20s and 30s on the open road. Put your pedal to the metal and enjoy five commemorative automobile stamps issued in 1988 featuring rare cars from the 1920s and 1930s stored in a black vinyl 6 by 4-inch portfolio. The 1988 25 cent Classic Car Series begins with the 1928 Locomobile. The Locomobile considered itself the "best-built car in America." The Locomobile company hired racecar driver Andrew Riker to design their version of the gasoline-powered automobile. Riker also an engineer designed a car made of manganese bronze and heat-treated steel. The 1929 Pierce Arrow is the second automobile to grace itself in the 1988 commemorative classic car series. The new eight-cylinder engine and top-of-the-line styling made 1929 Pierce Arrow's best year ever. The 1931 Cord the third stamp in the 1988 classic car series was manufactured by Auburn Automobile in Connersville, Indiana. The cord was known for its streamlined and innovative designs. Known for their luxury automobiles Packard defied the odds and weathered the Great Depression. The 1932 Packard is the featured auto in the 1988 classic car commemorative stamp series. The fifth and last car in the 1988 stamp series was the 1935 Duesenberg. Founded by brothers August and Frederick Duesenberg the company was known for luxury and speed.
Material: plastic, cardboard, US Stamps
1988 25 Cent Classic Car Series U.S. Postage Stamp 1931 Cord
1988 25 Cent Classic Car Series U.S. Postage Stamp 1932 Packard
1988 25 Cent Classic Car Series U.S. Postage Stamp 1935 Duesenberg
1988 25 Cent Classic Car Series U.S. Postage Stamp 1928 Licomobile
1988 25 Cent Classic Car Series U.S. Postage Stamp 1929 Pierce-Arrow


EBA Clearing has announced the kick-off of a Request to Pay Task Force to support the development of a pan-European Request to Pay (R2P) solution.
The first objective of this task force is to work on a blueprint, which shall serve as a planning framework for the implementation of an R2P solution. The blueprint is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2019. The task force is composed of experts from 28 financial institutions from 14 countries.
Request to Pay is considered as a key element in an evolving payments landscape shaped by developments such as Open Banking and real-time payments. Request to Pay solutions are aimed at further increasing certainty, transparency and convenience when making and receiving payments. The Euro Retail Payments Board (ERPB) has referred to Request to Pay in the context of electronic invoice presentment and payment, where it is seen as a means to speed up the end-to-end process and ease reconciliation processes in particular. In its development of a blueprint for an R2P solution, the EBA Clearing task force will consider the many different use cases where a Request to Pay can add value to both payer and payee.


text:
Onalaska Fire District Secretary Quits; Commission Blames Community Members for Disarray
By Lewis County Watch in Onalaska March 19, 2018
Another contentious Lewis County Fire District 1 meeting in Onalaska Thursday night was punctuated by the mid-meeting resignation of the district's secretary, which residents said is one more step toward the collapse of the fire department.
"So my question is, you have a significant portion of the fire department down, now you're out a secretary who left without notice, so you have no one to fill her shoes or the job that she did," former Chief Andrew Martin said at the meeting. "How much farther are you guys going to let this go before … you start making some compromises?"
He said things would only continue to get worse at the district if commissioners continued ignoring the concerns of residents.
Judge Dismisses Onalaska Fire Commissioner Recall Request
"Is that a threat?" commissioner Kevin Emerson replied.
Martin said the next step would be to inform agencies such as the state Department of Health, the state Department of Labor and Industries and other organizations that regulate fire districts of the perceived shortcomings of the district's leaders and the situations they have created.
"We have no problems turning you guys over and letting you sort it out with them. That's what happened with L&I and the building," he said.
In November, half of the district's volunteers quit after board members Rich Bainbridge and Bill Kassel voted to fire Martin.
A number of vocal residents and former volunteers argue that the decision to fire Martin was personally motivated, stemming from his reprimand of a member of Kassel's family in the fire district.
Since then, commissioner Jeff Lee resigned and the state Department of Labor & Industries closed the district's main station on Carlisle Avenue due to dangers from asbestos, mold, mouse droppings, rotting wood and plants growing inside the building.
Bainbridge and Kassel voted at the district's Feb. 15 meeting to appoint Emerson as the district's third commissioner. Emerson and Craig Franklin, who was defeated by Kassel in the 2017 general election, both applied for the position.
Nearly five months after Martin's dismissal, the district has yet to hire a permanent chief. Adam Myer has acted as interim chief since November.
Former Onalaska Fire Chief, Captain File Request to Recall Commissioners
Lesly Varin, representing the Onalaska Concerned Citizen's Committee, read a prepared statement to the commissioners Thursday night bringing up those issues as well as community concerns about training, record keeping, the use of district vehicles for private purposes and favoritism toward relatives of commissioners, among others.
She renewed calls from members of the group for Bainbridge and Kassel, or just one of the two, to resign their position, saying Martin and former volunteers would return.
Community members have asked Bainbridge and Kassel to resign on numerous occasions since November.
"Neither one of us are leaving," Bainbridge said. "You don't give us any credit for being community people."
All three commissioners argued that former volunteers and residents speaking out against the commission are actually to blame for the district's disarray.
"If you want to help us you'll do something besides stay on the negative side," Bainbridge said. "We have a thing to try and put together here and every time you can throw up an obstacle, the group is doing it. What do you think the recall was?"
Martin filed a request for a recall of Bainbridge and Kassel in January. The request was later denied in Lewis County Superior Court.
Kassel and Bainbridge also continued to deny firing Martin, despite the fact that the vote happened in a public meeting and was recorded. The recording, played back in a second public meeting in mid-November, clearly recorded the commissioners' vote to "dismiss" Martin as chief.
There was no further discussion, Neither commissioner addressed Martin to ask him to step down on the record, as Kassel asserted again Thursday.
"I am not lying," Kassel said. "What do you expect from a person to have s— thrown at him, to sit up here and take your abuse, you know?"
Onalaska Residents Call for Commission's Resignation as Fire Station Closed by State
Emerson, in his second meeting as a fire district commissioner, also spoke in support of the longtime commissioners.
"It's like all the efforts you're doing, you're trying to get rid of Rich and Bill almost at any cost. Getting rid of Rich and Bill might cause you to destroy the department completely," he said.
Linda Patraca quit her job as secretary before the above exchanges between residents and the commission, leaving the district without a secretary for the last half hour of the meeting. The commissioners adjourned without appointing anyone to the position.
Patraca handled the majority of day-to-day business of the district, including payroll, bookkeeping, filing of medical and legal documents, keeping minutes, running meetings and acting as a point of contact for the district and other agencies.
Her exit came after a 30-minute executive session that Emerson called midway through the meeting for the purpose of reviewing the performance of a public employee. She was excluded from the first half of the closed-door session, then asked to return and speak with the commissioners and interim chief Adam Myer.
Emerson's request for the executive session — at which no minutes are kept and which members of the public are not entitled to attend — came immediately after a discussion of how Patraca was taking college classes during the day and completing much of her work for the district outside of regular business hours. Patraca has worked from home since L&I closed the district's main station three months ago for mold, asbestos and mouse droppings.
Before the executive session, she also expressed frustration that Myer was not returning emails about district business, and that volunteers were not filing reports on EMS activities in a timely fashion, as required by law.
She noted the district still had eight incomplete reports from February as of Thursday night's meeting.
She also noted that training was not being properly documented, also a concern of residents in attendance at Thursday's meeting, and said the district had not been represented at Lewis County Fire Chief's Association meetings since Martin's departure.
The Chronicle reached out to Patraca Friday. She declined to comment further.
Plans in Place to Remove Mold, Asbestos at Closed Main Station
Early in the meeting, the board discussed the status of its main station at 244 Carlisle Ave., which was closed by the state Department of Labor and Industries in late December for air quality concerns, including mold, asbestos and mouse droppings. Inspectors also found plants growing inside a portion of the station.
Fire district personnel have only recently been allowed to re-enter the building.
Ronn Schuttie, an area resident volunteering to help the district regarding the station, reported he met with Lewis County building official Doyle Sanford and got an update on the structural stability of the Carlisle Avenue station.
"It was better than expected," Schuttie said. He added L&I needed a structural assessment before crews could fully test for asbestos.
In an email dated March 1 from Sanford to Schuttie included in the district's agenda packet for Thursday, Sanford included his assessment of the structure.
"My findings are the structures are in dire need of maintenance and repairs but seem generally structurally sound," he wrote.
Sanford suggested "interior finishes" be removed to allow the station to dry fully, and suggested treatment for mold.
"The spore samples in the building were equal to what you'd normally find outdoors during the month of January, so it's really not alarming, but we still have to deal with it because it's a workplace," Schuttie said.
He also suggested clearing brush and vegetation away from the structure and listed options for making the building more watertight.
"The leaking roof appears to be very fixable," Schuttie said.
The board voted to approve an expenditure of up to $10,000 for work to remove moldy walls and ceiling interiors, including some asbestos abatement.
Commissioners also discussed an $80,000 award set aside in the state capital budget for architecture and design for a new station. The commissioners formally voted to accept the award.
Patraca noted she needed to complete additional paperwork before the money would be awarded.
The commissioners briefly discussed a cost estimate from meyArchitecture for construction of an apparatus building, headquarters building and site work for a total of $3.6 million. The commission took no action regarding the estimate. Bainbridge said he wanted to meet with the architect again.
National Guard, West Thurston Fire Authority Train Together for Mass Casualty Response
Fate of Two Deer Left in Limbo at For Heaven's Sake Animal Rescue, But Some Will Be Released
I'm headed to the City on the Hill tonight to watch Napavine take on Morton-White Pass in a Central 2B League boys… https://t.co/jZoIp021Wy
@JS_Cassady We do regular studies to confirm the express lanes are working on an efficient schedule (… https://t.co/sDbf0c6ah1


After spending the last 5 days sitting in my favorite spot on the swing outside in the shade and watching my little monsters run and play in the yard, I've come to realize what I've been missing while I'm at work. The pure bliss of being a stay at home mom.
I love my boys very much. They are the light of my life and keep me on my toes. It makes me sad when one of them falls off the front step and uses his face to cushion his fall. Poor little guy, it looks a lot worse today now that it's scabbed over, but he didn't cry very long and was a good sport about letting me clean it and put some anti-biotic cream on. He was back running around a few minutes later.
In the afternoon we went to the zoo with my mom and a few of my siblings. We haven't been to the zoo since my youngest was a few days old, so that would be a few weeks shy of two years. So much has changed yet so much is the same from when I worked there as a teen. Being there brought back so many memories.
The goat barn with its rank smell and the goat poo that looked like coco pebbles that you had to remind the kids not to eat. The Kongo station that no one visited so we played mancala all afternoon. The hidden trail behind the zebra enclosure that was a short cut to the top of the park. Oh so many times we got in trouble. Those were the days.
Now I get to take my family to the zoo and share all the exciting sights with them. Check out some of these photos from our trip.


Download "Developing and supporting a world class sporting system. Summary of progress"
7 Progression Getting into sport, progressing and achieving in sport and moving between sports is easier Invested over 14 million in 48 Scottish governing bodies of sport (SGBs) to deliver performance and development outcomes Commissioned a new expert resource programme that allows SGBs direct access to independent legal, HR and finance support Active Schools recorded over 4.6 million participant sessions 1 with 72% delivered by volunteers Implemented a new Active Schools online monitoring system to track progress more accurately Developed over 30 sport-specific plans through regional sports partnerships to join up local and national plans, and improve the stability of clubs Invested 210,000 in 47 sportscotland Athlete Personal Awards to support those capable of winning medals for Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games Continued to develop and deliver UK and Scottish talent initiatives leading to 11 Scottish athletes being selected for further testing and development in disability powerlifting, netball, weightlifting, basketball and golf Provided over 550 athletes with performance expertise and specialist services in over 40 sports The sportscotland institute of sport manages a unified Scottish and British curling programme See the case study online at 13 1 This figure, for the number of visits pupils make to Active Schools sessions, is adjusted to remove playground games and sports leader award activities to ensure consistency with current reporting. It is based on the academic year.
Transforming Lives Through The Joy of Sport.


text:
Two graduates climb different City-sponsored paths to college
A sea of Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) graduates gathered beneath the commencement tent this spring as president Pam Eddinger offered a frank farewell: "While life can be harsh, it is also limitless and ever-renewing….I have learned to hope and believe, from watching you, that tomorrow will be better."
Among the more than 1,700 graduates listening that day were two women who made the most of City-sponsored routes to college. But that doesn't mean their paths were easy. Their arrival at this day reflected a grit and commitment that a better tomorrow, and a better Boston, are made of.
Associate in Sociology
In many ways, being one of eight children has been a gift for Katherine Hernandez. As a tutor for her younger siblings, she came to love the moment she could help a child break through frustration to reach a spark of understanding. She knew she wanted to be in a helping profession someday.
But at the same time, coming from a large family also posed a challenge to those dreams.
Hernandez with several of her younger siblings.
"My mom needs a lot of help with all the kids," Hernandez said. "She can't afford a babysitter."
With the added financial stress of rent and loans, the prospect of college costs grew daunting. Fortunately, the Tuition-Free Community College Plan was able to help Hernandez attend BHCC free of tuition or mandatory fees.
"I wouldn't be able to go to college if it wasn't for this program," she said.
In a typical week, Hernandez woke at 5 a.m. to catch a bus and a train for her 7 a.m. class at BHCC. She finished all her classes in the mornings so she could come back and care for her younger siblings in the afternoon.
An honors student, Hernandez graduated from BHCC with a 3.87 GPA and an academic excellence award from the Department of Sociology. She is interested in pursuing a pre-med track at a 4-year school or entering a job in healthcare.
Mykselsy Charles
Associate in Hotel/Restaurant Management
Mykesly Charles decorated her mortarboard hat with beads and handmade flowers. On the sky-blue background, she glued the words, "God has perfect timing."
She spent a week on this creation. She spent much longer getting to this day.
Well before she enrolled in BHCC, Mykelsy Charles had spent six years chipping away at a college degree. She took a class or two each semester while taking on a raft of family responsibilities: sponsoring her mother from Haiti, finding affordable housing for them, and acting as breadwinner. Then she learned her college was dropping her biochemistry major.
The hat that Mykelsy Charles decorated and wore for graduation.
"I told myself, 'School is not for me. I'm trying so hard, but I don't even know what I'm progressing on,'" she said.
Looking for other opportunities, Charles enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship hospitality training at BEST Hospitality Training Center. As part of the Greater Boston American Apprenticeship Initiative, the program also came with a tantalizing perk: She would earn 12 college credits for her 6-week training, plus tuition support toward the completion of a degree.
She thought: "That's my shot right there to motivate myself to finish."
For much of the next two years, Charles worked in hotel housekeeping, while taking classes in every available gap in her work schedule.
"Between work and school, it was really, really hard," she said. "I would get out of work at 4:30 and had to be at school at 6. I went home at 9 at night to start the day again. Everything was work or school or study."
"But," she added, "nothing stops me."
Charles has become the first person from her family to graduate from college. Her goals are to start a career in hospitality management and to eventually pursue her bachelor's degree.
Tagged on: apprenticeships Bunker Hill Community College education Greater Boston American Apprenticeship Initiative higher education hospitality Tuition-Free Community College Plan
Katie Liesener July 9, 2019 October 25, 2019 Uncategorized
← Boston is awarded grant to improve job outcomes for youth experiencing homelessness
OWD directs $1.2 million to youth workforce and education programs →


text:
Art Ross Trophy
Kane to be first American to win Art Ross Trophy
Blackhawks forward will finish as NHL scoring leader with 106 points
Kane's 250th career goal
CHI@CBJ: Kane nets 250th goal nine seconds into game
4/9/16: Just nine seconds into the game, Patrick Kane scores on a one-timer for his 45th goal of the season and the 250th of his career
Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane will be the first U.S.-born player to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL regular-season scoring champion.
Kane had two goals and an assist in Chicago's season-ending 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Saturday to finish with 106 points, the most in the NHL since Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins had 109 in 2011-12. Kane will be the first Chicago player to lead the NHL in scoring since Stan Mikita in 1967-68.
Kane's 46 goals and 60 assists are NHL career-bests; he never had more than 30 goals, 59 assists or 88 points in any of his first eight NHL seasons.
"This year definitely I probably took it to another level," the 27-year-old Buffalo native said. "I obviously have to thank my teammates and my linemates (Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin). They were awesome this year. The power play was special, except for a little funk there for a bit, but that obviously helps to inflate the numbers a bit."
Kane is the first U.S.-born player to score 100 points since Doug Weight of the Edmonton Oilers had 104 in 1995-96, and the first Blackhawks player to do so since Jeremy Roenick had 107 in 1993-94. Kane had 40 points during a 26-game point streak from Oct. 22 to Dec. 15 that was the longest in Blackhawks history and the longest by an American-born NHL player.
"I take pride in playing for the U.S. and being an American kid," Kane said. "It's fun to break the point streak this year, and now to be the first American to win the scoring title is pretty special in itself."
Video: Kane on scoring title
Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars, who led the NHL in scoring last season, had an assist against the Nashville Predators on Saturday and will finish second with 89 points. Four teams play Sunday to end the regular season.
Pat LaFontaine was the U.S.-born player who had come closest to winning the Art Ross. Playing for the Buffalo Sabres, he finished second to Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992-93 (160-148).
"Yeah, so many great players have come and went, and even in the League now, so that's surprising to think," Kane said. "I know Lafontaine had a big chance one year and Lemieux came back from injury and kind of stole it from him. There's been some great seasons by American-born players.
"I think I'm lucky and fortunate to be the first one to win it."
Video: CHI@CBJ: Kane nets a one-timer for his second goal


text:
Troop 267 Announces New Eagle Scouts
Two Boy Scouts from Troop 267, located at the West Hempfield Fire & Rescue, will be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. We congratulate these young men for their accomplishments and wish them best with their future endeavors.
Alexander (Sasha) Breniser, 18, son of Ronald and Svetlana Breniser of Columbia, will be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at the Troop 267 Court of Honor banquet held at Camp Mack on Sunday, May 23.
Before joining Troop 267, Sasha was a Cub Scout with Pack 181 at Ironville United Methodist Church where he earned the Arrow of Light, the highest award of Cub Scouting. Sasha held the leadership positions of patrol leader, Den Chief, and Webmaster with Boy Scout Troop 267.
For his Eagle Scout project, Sasha repainted a fence at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Reading, PA, where he and his family are members. The project included sanding and repainting a fence on the property of the church.
Sasha is a senior at Hempfield High School. In addition to Scouting, Sasha participates in the Tech Squad, the Stage Crew and the Tabletop Gaming Club, for which he serves as president. He is part of the National Honor Society, which is devoted to the ideals of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
In his free time, he enjoys writing, reading, metalworking, video gaming, and learning about history and tanks. He is proud that he is half Russian.
Sasha's future plans include attending college or doing an internship.
Troop 267 has helped over 100 young men, including Sasha, earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations!
Nathan Stutzman, 15, son of Brian and Donna Stutzman, of Lancaster, will be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at the Troop 267 Court of Honor banquet held Camp Mack on Sunday, May 23, 2021.
Before becoming part of Troop 267, Nathan was a member of Cub Scout Pack 67 located at the West Hempfield Fire Hall. In his time in Troop 267, he has held the leadership positions of patrol leader, librarian, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. His peers elected him to the Order of the Arrow, the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America. He is also a member of the National Youth Leadership Training staff.
For his Eagle Scout project, Nathan refurbished two foot bridges at Fairview Park in West Hempfield Township. The project included replacing most of the wooden boards for both bridges and adding handrails for extra safety. He plans to stain the wood in the spring.
Nathan is a sophomore at Hempfield High School. In addition to Scouting, Nathan participates in the track and field team. He is also part of the concert band. He is a member of the HHS Anchor Club.
Nathan's future plans include possibly enlisting in the military or attending college to then pursue a career in law enforcement.
Troop 267 has helped over 100 young men, including Nathan, earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations!


text:
Tag Archives: To
Avengers: Infinity War Movie Review
Posted on April 28, 2018 by toddmthatcher
A decade into its multi-billion dollar cinematic universe, Avengers: Infinity War invites viewers to marvel at its gathering of superhero titans to fight another – a villain from planet Titan who reverses one frequent MCU debit (a weak villain). It's an experience that yields many positive results packed with the action and humor we've come to anticipate from the best of this franchise. This movie is massive and it feels that way. The 19th entry in the MCU that started with 2008's Iron Man, here we have nearly all the significant characters from its catalog banding together. If you ever wondered how Thor (Chris Hemsworth) would get along with the Guardians of the Galaxy, the answer is humorously provided. How do the egos of Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) meld? You're about to find out. What happens when the original Avengers and others pick up their weapons alongside Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) in Wakanda? Giddyup!
All of this runs the risk of Infinity War coming off as gimmicky, but it mostly doesn't. That's because directors Anthony and Joe Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely do a remarkable job sticking these giants into the blender and creating something that goes down smooth. This is not necessarily a sequel to 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron or 2016's Captain America: Civil War (essentially the third Avengers flick). Rather it's a follow-up to almost every MCU title. It's important to know what happened in the actual Avengers pics and Civil War, but I'd suggest having knowledge of the Guardians, Panther, and so on. Lucky for Disney and Marvel Studios, you probably do. The gathering of these comic book and box office behemoths leads Infinity War to often feel like the continuation of a long running TV serial – albeit one with huge stars and an unlimited budget.
What brings all the characters together is Thanos (Josh Brolin). He has the proportions of the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and a similar sized ambitions of world destruction. Thanos is hell-bent on collecting the Infinity Stones, six potent gems that would render him all-powerful and capable of wiping out populations of many galaxies. After the breakup of the Avengers in Civil War two years ago, it's Thanos that causes Mr. Stark and Captain America (Chris Evans) to put their differences aside. Thus begins the jigsaw puzzle of matching up Guardians and Asgardian gods with Wakanda kings and mystical doctors and your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (Tom Holland).
As you may recall, Thanos has history with one particular character – Gamora (Zoe Saldana). She's his adopted daughter after he decimated her home planet when she was a little girl. For those who might have assumed the Guardians of the Galaxy would have a glorified cameo in this universe, that is certainly not the case. It's Gamora's backstory with Thanos that puts meat on his character's bones and assists in making him one of the franchise's best villains. Brolin, for his part, gives the performance his menacing all in crafting him.
Delving too far into what happens in Infinity War would feel like cheating in any review. Part of the fun here is discovering just how these dozens of heroes and villains coexist. Some general observations: Thor alongside Groot and Rocket is a joy, as is witnessing Groot as a bratty teen with its attention rooted to a video game device. The return to Wakanda and its whip smart inhabitants feels welcome just weeks after Panther's stand-alone effort. And after 10 years of Tony Stark onscreen in numerous MCU titles, Downey Jr.'s portrayal of him is still as strong as ever. There's never been a moment in the decade where it felt like Downey was slumming it. He's the heart of this franchise.
The conclusion of Infinity War leaves a lot open for the sequel that will arrive next year. When the credits roll before the inevitable post-credits sequence, we witness something both powerful and perhaps not as powerful as it seems after careful thought (saying more would be a spoiler). There's no doubt, however, that this comic book all-star game is a winner.
***1/2 (out of four)
Posted in Todd's Movie Reviews	| Tagged Anthony Mackie, Anthony Russo, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, benicio del toro, Black Panther, bradley cooper, Captain America: Civil War, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Christopher Markus, Cobie Smulders, Danai Gurira, Dave Bautista, Disney, Doctor Strange, Don Cheadle, Elizabeth Olsen, Guardians of the Galaxy, gwyneth paltrow, Idris Elba, iron man, Jeremy Renner, Joe Russo, josh brolin, Karen Gillan, Letitia Wright, Mark Ruffalo, marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Comics, Marvel Studios, movie reviews, movies, Paul Bettany, Paul Rudd, Peter Dinklage, Pom Klementieff, Robert Downey Jr., Ross Marquand, Russo Brothers, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Stan Lee, Stephen McFeely, The Avengers, Thor, To, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Holland, vin diesel, William Hurt, Winston Duke, Zoe Saldana	| Leave a reply
25 Greatest Directors
Box Office Predictions/Results
Fast and Furious Movie Reviews
Movie Perfection
Movies You Might Not Know
Oscar History
Seasonal Movie Previews
The 007 Files
The Curious Case of…
The Ethan Hunt Files
This Day in Movie History
Todd's Movie Reviews


NAB, LAS VEGAS – April 24, 2017 – Wowza™ Media Systems, the recognized gold standard in streaming video, and Haivision, a pioneer in high performance video streaming, today announced the founding of the SRT Alliance and the open-source availability of SRT, a video transport protocol to enable the delivery of high-quality and secure, low-latency video across the public Internet.
The SRT Alliance was founded by Haivision and Wowza. The mission of the SRT Alliance is to overcome the challenges of low latency video streaming, thereby changing the way the world streams. Fundamental to this mission is the support of a freely available open source video transport protocol that will accelerate innovation through collaborative development. The SRT Alliance will promote the industry-wide recognition and adoption of SRT as a common standard for all low latency internet streaming. Wowza and Haivision will demonstrate the open source SRT protocol at the 2017 NAB Show at the Renaissance Hotel, 2nd floor. For more information on how to join the SRT Alliance, visit srtalliance.org.
Wowza Media Systems™ is the recognized gold standard of streaming, with more than 20,000 customers in 170+ countries. By reducing the complexities of video and audio delivery to any device, Wowza™ enables organizations to expand their reach and more deeply engage their audiences, in industries ranging from education to broadcasting. Service providers, direct customers, and partners worldwide trust Wowza products to provide robust, customizable, and scalable streaming solutions—with powerful APIs and SDKs to meet organizations' evolving streaming needs. Wowza was founded in 2005, is privately held, and is headquartered in Colorado. For more information, please visit www.wowza.com.