Archives: Most Recent Columns

Subscribe to Most Recent Columns RSS Feed

SEE YOU IN COURT! – February 2017

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

CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 10/21/16

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:

I am an elementary principal in an urban district and students in my school come and go with some frequency, which makes for a … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT! – November 2016

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

Bob Bombast, veteran member of the Nutmeg Board of Education, couldn’t believe that he has never attended the CABE Convention before. When he finally signed up and attended the 2016 Convention, he was surprised by and pleased with the wealth

SEE YOU IN COURT – October 2016

By Thomas B. Mooney on October 10, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

For years now, Bob Bombast, veteran member of the Nutmeg Board of Education, has been perplexed by and concerned about the State formula for providing funds for education. Accordingly, he has watched carefully – and patiently – as the Connecticut … Read more

CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 9/23/16

By Thomas B. Mooney on September 23, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

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

Dear Legal Mailbag:

Recently, a parent called to complain about a teacher’s being “spaced-out” when she talked to him about her child. This parent is quick

CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 9/9/16

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

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

Dear Legal Mailbag:

The beginning of the year is an exciting time, but there are always some students who don’t show up for the party. To

CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 8/5/16

By Thomas B. Mooney on August 8, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

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

Dear Legal Mailbag:

This is my 20th year in education. When I first started teaching, my administrators told me that a principal or administrator had to

SEE YOU IN COURT! – July/August 2016

By Thomas B. Mooney on July 25, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Out of the blue, Nancy Newshound, longtime reporter for the Nutmeg Bugle called Mr. Superintendent. “I understand that a student hacked the district’s system and changed a bunch of grades,” she stated. “What can you tell me about that?”

Mr. … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – June 2016

By Thomas B. Mooney on June 7, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Given the chronic underfunding of education in Nutmeg by the Board of Finance and its irascible Chairperson, Seymour Dollars, the Nutmeg Board of Education has had to be careful in its spending on discretionary issues, including curriculum revision. As a … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – May 2016

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

Expenditures under the 2015-2016 budget have been a mixed bag in Nutmeg. The fuel oil account and the snow removal overtime account are both underexpended, given the mild winter. However, special education expenses have exceeded the budgeted amounts month after … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – April 2016

By Thomas B. Mooney on April 11, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

The Nutmeg Board of Education has not expelled a student for over two years. Not because Nutmeg students are so compliant, however, but rather because the Board appointed a hearing officer two years ago to conduct expulsion hearings on its … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – March 2016

By Thomas B. Mooney on March 7, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Now that the budget for next year was finally completed and submitted to the Town, the Nutmeg Board of Education turned its attention to the current year’s budget. Board member Red Cent had been poring over the monthly financial reports, … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – February 2016

By Thomas B. Mooney on February 8, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Mr. Superintendent knew that his news for the Nutmeg Board of Education would cause a stir – the Nutmeg Public Schools were looking at a deficit for 2015-2016 of around $1,000,000. While the warm weather had resulted in savings in … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – January 2016

By Thomas B. Mooney on January 11, 2016 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Publications and Alerts

At the time, it seemed like a good idea. The Nutmeg Public Schools have long cherished its friendship with its sister city of Nutmeg, Belgium, and after years of discussion and months of planning, last summer the Nutmeg Board of … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – December 2015

By Thomas B. Mooney on December 7, 2015 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

With the holiday season in full swing, the Nutmeg Board of Education has been having difficulty getting a quorum to attend its meetings. The meeting last week was delayed by forty-five minutes as the Board members present waited for a … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – November 2015

By Thomas B. Mooney on November 9, 2015 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Negotiations with the Nutmeg Union of Teachers (NUTS) went better than usual this year. NUTS did not waste a lot of time trying to usurp management rights, and it focused instead on the bread-and-butter issues of salary and insurance. For … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – October 2015

By Thomas B. Mooney on October 15, 2015 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Bob Bombast, veteran member of the Nutmeg Board of Education, has been vocal in his opposition to state testing based on the Common Core State Standards. When Mr. Superintendent reported last month on the poor test results from last year, … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – September 2015

By Thomas B. Mooney on September 8, 2015 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

The members of the Nutmeg Board of Education are a conscientious group, and they want to know everything about the operation of the Nutmeg Public Schools. For his part, Mr. Superintendent has tried to keep up with their questions, but … Read more

SEE YOU IN COURT – July/August 2015

By Thomas B. Mooney on July 31, 2015 Posted in CABE Journal Columns, Most Recent Columns, Public Schools, Publications and Alerts

Mr. Superintendent couldn’t believe that it is already again time for negotiations with the Nutmeg Union of Teachers (NUTS). However, when Mr. Superintendent told Mr. Chairman that teacher negotiations are coming up and suggested a private Board meeting to discuss … Read more