Archives: CABE Journal Columns

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SEE YOU IN COURT! – October 2018

Mr. Chairperson has had his hands full with two new members of the Nutmeg Board of Education. Mal Content and Chrissie Critical were elected to the Board just last November, but they quickly started antagonizing Mr. Chairperson and the other … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – September 2018

By Thomas B. Mooney on September 4, 2018 Posted in Board of Education, Generally, CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

The glory days for Nutmeg Knights Football were long gone, the last winning season having been in 2003. But Coach Rock, the beleaguered long-time Knights coach, soldiered on. Calls for change grew shriller, however, as the Knights dropped their first … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – July/August 2018

By Thomas B. Mooney on August 1, 2018 Posted in Board of Education, Generally, CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Bob Bombast was watching “Fox News” on June 27 when the scroll at the bottom of the screen caught his eye. “Supreme Court strikes down agency fees; deals big blow to public sector unions!!” Though Bob had chaired the Personnel … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – June 2018

By Thomas B. Mooney on June 1, 2018 Posted in Board of Education, Generally, CABE Journal Columns, Finances, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

The Nutmeg Board of Education finally has a budget for the 2018-2019 school year. Difficult as the process was, however, the hard work for the Board of Education was now beginning. Somehow, somewhere, the Nutmeg Board of Education must find … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – May 2018

By Thomas B. Mooney on May 1, 2018 Posted in Board of Education, Generally, CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Bob Bombast, veteran member of the Nutmeg Board of Education, was surprised to see a work team and a backhoe on the grounds of Median Middle School. So surprised in fact that he parked his car and walked over to … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – April 2018

By Thomas B. Mooney on April 3, 2018 Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, CABE Journal Columns, Freedom of Information, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

After serving as Chairperson of the Nutmeg Board of Education for six long years, Mr. Chairman announced unexpectedly at the last meeting in February that his company had transferred him to Illinois. At what would be his last meeting, Mr. … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – March 2018

By Thomas B. Mooney on March 1, 2018 Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Mark Millennial was recently elected to the Nutmeg Board of Education. More than ten years younger than any of the other Board members, Mark brings a new approach to Board service. His presence on social media is far more extensive … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – February 2018

By Thomas B. Mooney on February 1, 2018 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

A student recently came to Mr. Principal in tears, accusing Joe Blow, a fifth-year senior at Nutmeg Memorial High School, of threatening to beat him up if he didn’t hand over his lunch money. When Mr. Principal investigated this claim, … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – January 2018

By Thomas B. Mooney on January 2, 2018 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Mr. Superintendent was hoping that the first meeting of the Nutmeg Board of Education after the holidays would be uneventful, maybe even boring. It was not to be. During Public Comment, Peter Parent gave an impassioned speech about how the … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – December 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on December 1, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

The General Assembly has finally passed a budget, and the Nutmeg Board of Education has been spared the catastrophic cuts in state aid that some had predicted. Veteran Board member Bob Bombast was therefore pleased to turn his attention to … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – November 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on November 1, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

As the football season wound down in Nutmeg, Bob Bombast went on a Facebook rant against the players in the NFL who take a knee during the playing of the National Anthem. Coach Rock, veteran coach at Nutmeg Memorial High … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – October 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on October 2, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

It didn’t take long. School started in Nutmeg just a month ago, and already Ms. Superintendent was calling the members of the Board of Education to schedule an expulsion hearing. “This is a good one,” she told veteran Board member … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – September 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on September 1, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

The ongoing State budget stalemate has many public officials in Nutmeg on edge. “How can we give the Board of Education money when we don’t even know whether and when the State will give us our ECS funds?” asked Seymour … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – July/August

By Thomas B. Mooney on July 31, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

It was a tough budget season in Nutmeg, and the Board of Education was forced to make difficult cuts just to start the new year with a balanced budget. To make matters worse, Town officials are whispering about possibly clawing … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – June 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on June 1, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

The members of the Nutmeg Board of Education are tired of having to put up with the constant barrage of criticism. Cut teaching positions? The parents go crazy. Add teaching positions? The taxpayer group goes crazy. To make matters worse, … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – May 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on May 1, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

As Chair of the Finance Committee of the Nutmeg Board of Education, new Board member Penny Pincher is deeply concerned about the budget next year. Given the uncertainties regarding state funding, Seymour Dollars, venerable Chairperson of the Nutmeg Board of … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – April 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on April 1, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

The Nutmeg Board of Education was frustrated and dismayed this budget season by the need to cut programs and reduce costs. However, given various warnings from Seymour Dollars, the irascible Chairperson of the Nutmeg Board of Finance, Board members felt … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – March 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on March 2, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Sally Scrivener was elected to the Nutmeg Board of Education last November, and she was surprised when her Board colleagues voted to elect her to serve as secretary of the Board. Sally is nothing if not conscientious, and she has … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – February 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on February 1, 2017 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools

This budget season has been the worst in memory for the Nutmeg Board of Education. Next year will be the second year of a three-year contract with the Nutmeg Union of Teachers (NUTS), and that contract includes a salary increase … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – January 2017

By Thomas B. Mooney on December 20, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools

For years, the Nutmeg Board of Education has invited members of the public to comment at the beginning of its meetings. Last year, the Board adopted some new rules and even printed those rules on the bottom of the agenda: … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – December 2016

By Thomas B. Mooney on December 1, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

The last game for the Nutmeg Knights couldn’t come fast enough for veteran Nutmeg Board of Education member Bob Bombast. A defensive tackle on the legendary 1984 team, Bob bleeds Nutmeg persimmon and gold and attends every game. But those … Read more

CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 11/10/16

By Thomas B. Mooney on November 14, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter. Written by Attorney Thomas B. Mooney.

Dear Legal Mailbag:

It is tough being a coach, as I know from personal experience. I was the boys basketball coach before getting this gig as … Read more

CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 11/4/16

By Thomas B. Mooney on November 9, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter Written by Attorney Thomas B. Mooney

Dear Legal Mailbag:

Last week, we had three teachers “take the knee” during the playing of the National Anthem at a whole-school pep rally. Fortunately, only a … Read more

CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 10/28/16

By Thomas B. Mooney on November 9, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter Written by Attorney Thomas B. Mooney

Dear Legal Mailbag:

As an assistant principal, my responsibilities include dealing with students who have disciplinary issues. While most of these students are good people just caught … Read more