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Norwalk: Corda Gets Huge Rubber Stamped Contract Extension


by turfgrrl


August 29th, 2007 · 21 Comments

This defies any reasonable explanation. The BOE, Bruce Kimmel absent, voted to extend Corda’s contract, give him a raise, give Opdahl and Lang a raise and pay Bruce Morris when he is up in Hartford. In short, the BOE, led by Jodi Bishop-Pullan, said to Norwalk, “roll up the cash truck baby, because we’re giving it away.”

Pullan thinks that she’s listened to Norwalkers regarding the contract extension’s and raises. Yet, every contract discussion was behind closed doors, and the public did not get to review the contracts till 8PM last night, and then the BOE voted on them in 10 minutes.

Bishop-Pullan said though there were no public sessions were the contracts were discussed, the board understands Norwalkers’ perspectives on the issues.

“We’re in the city and in the schools, we know what’s going on” she said. “People e-mail us and people call us and we’re in the schools and we talk to them

The details:

Tuesday, the board approved a three-year contract with Superintendent Salvatore Corda — a move that extends his contact by one year — by a vote of 7-0-1, with Bruce Kimmel absent and Shirley Mosby abstaining.

Attending members voted unanimously to sign off on two-year deals for Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Karen Lang and Chief Operating Officer Stuart Opdahl.

All received raises of between 3 percent and 3.5 percent — with base salaries of $192, 217 for Corda, $119,038 for Lang and $136,807 for Opdahl — board Chairwoman Jody Bishop-Pullan said

Morris, the city’s human resources officer, saw the letter of agreement approving his salary pay approved by a vote of 6-0-1, with Mosby and Migdalia Rivas abstaining. The amount he is paid was not listed in the copy of the letter furnished by the board.
The agreement requires Morris to pay for a substitute, and for the training of that substitute, in the event that he is not be able to perform duties of his position for a period of time due to legislative responsibilities.

The votes came after the Board of Education met at least three times in recent months — in executive session — to review the contracts and personnel matters.

I sincerely hope that the Norwalk Federation of Teachers lends a hand this year in helping reform BOE candidates oust these rubber stamping automatons who think giving away tax dollars is what the people want.

source: The Hour BOE approves Corda’s contract by Amanda Pinto, August 29, 2007

Tags: Education · In the News · Norwalk

21 Responses so far ↓ “Norwalk: Corda Gets Huge Rubber Stamped Contract Extension”



  • 1 Bewildered // Aug 29, 2007 at 9:23 am

    This is exactly what we predicted. The BOE doesn’t have the right stuff and won’t ever stand up against their boss - oops - that’s right - THEY ARE HIS BOSS. I guess they forgot.

    An abstaining vote is a waste of a vote. Do your homework, figure out what is going on, and stand on your own two feet and vote yes or no - for the people and children you represent. How can you be an advocate for children if you say nothing. If you are too busy or it is too confusing, you should not have taken the job.

    November is just around the corner and the only recourse the tax payers have is to vote out “our representatives” who are there to vote what the tax payers want. They must not have been listening.

    I guess we get Corda for another three years. Let’s hope that everyone gets out to vote this November and we don’t have to live with the BOE members who 1 - don’t listen to us and 2 - don’t have the nerve to tell those they vote to employ (yes they are in charge) that they are disappointed and change is needed. Approve to extend the contract means that things are just fine. WELL THEY AREN’T!

    And if Corda doesn’t think that he can prove (in a year’s time) that he is worth it … if he will “punish” Norwalk and run away to get another job, good - let him be someone elses problem. Will anyone even hire him these days with all that has come to light lately?

    TIME TO GET OUT AND VOTE TO OUST THE RUBBER STAMP BOARD OF ED. November is just around the corner - go out and vote your vote. Silence isn’t acceptable. The City of Norwalk deserves better!

  • 2 Bruce LeVine Mellion // Aug 29, 2007 at 9:51 am

    I was the only person who spoke last night regarding the contracts and the process that was followed and putting the copies on the table at 8:05 and then immediately voting on them should be a message to every citizen of Norwalk that something has been and is very very wrong. The particulars are as if the bank vault was opened and the sign come in and take what you want was hung out and the BOE stood by and just watched. The citizens of Norwalk should obtain copies and read the contents regarding, in particular, Dr Cordas contract. They will flip, twist and turn and should come to the next BOE meeting to express their view point regarding both process and particulars as I expressed last evening. The BOE should have made the contract public and voted at the September 4th meeting. Once again the BOE did not listen and just did what they wanted. No the BOE really does not have the pluse of the schools and the Citizens and clearly Dr. Corda does not since he is not in the schools on a regular basis to really know what goes on. On September 4th I look forward to seeing you there. Bruce LeVine Mellion President Norwalk Federation of Teachers

  • 3 anon // Aug 29, 2007 at 10:01 am

    It’s a relief to finally see people getting really angry about the schools and the way things are run by the BoE in Norwalk. For the longest time, I thought it was just me.

  • 4 No Coglioni\'s // Aug 29, 2007 at 10:03 am

    For the sake of proper posting I am moving this up to this space:
    Ok, so what’s with the secrecy behind Bruce Morris’ contract? and did I read correctly that they all go a raise? Come on! What the hell is going on? Its time to pick up and get out of Dodge! We have the most incompetant BOE I have ever seen. No one but teachers and students will suffer through this. When will this BOE grow some(as my father would say) coglioni’s and do the right thing. So now we will go into the next budget process with more BS and more lies and more threats. I just hope the council and BET have people in place to stop the crap. We are losing a couple council people who were adamant that this year the BOE wasn’t going to rob the coffers, hopefully the next round will bring more like them. Can someone tell me why these 3 are not running for council again? From what I could see they voted for the taxpayers more times than not. What are they going to do now? By the way, great sight, just learned of it a few weeks ago and knew something would be here about last nights catastrophe.

  • 5 Anonymous One // Aug 29, 2007 at 12:30 pm

    Bruce LeVine Mellion, I greatly appreciate what you did at convocation because it needed to be said. No one has ever told the emperor (in our case, “King Corda”) that he has no clothes. What he has done to date is a pathetic attempt at leadership. I know of no one who respects him.

    He sometimes feeds us the line that he is in this “for the kids.” His actions prove otherwise. He has never made an effort to know our kids. He has a very generous compensation package and a number of layers of staff to insulate him from direct involvement in any educational work. You were very generous in saying that he isn’t in the schools “on a regular basis” because he is very, very rarely in the schools at all. He rarely even considers attending the musical and athletic events that distinguish Norwalk from so many other districts. The man is a phantom.

    He makes decisions without seeking meaningful input from anyone. He devised a teacher evaluation plan that is so burdensome that it is virtually impossible to follow. He protects others who aren’t doing their jobs. When does the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction ever visit schools or engage in meaningful conversations with teachers, parents and students? These people can provide valuable feedback and suggestions, but Dr. Lang can’t be bothered. She often has a disdainful look on her face, a look that probably reflects her feelings about everyone except Dr. Corda. Mr. Opdahl is a runaway train and there is no one who is going to tell him to stop.

    The BOE won’t do its job, and so I am pleading with you: It is time to take a vote of no confidence in Dr. Corda, Dr. Lang, Mr. Opdahl and Mr. Morris. For that matter, the vote might extend to the BOE as well.

    (For any concerned taxpayers, I am writing this on my own time, not during time that I should be working, and I am even using my own computer.)

  • 6 Anonymous // Aug 29, 2007 at 2:15 pm

    Oust the entire BOE in November–they have no respect for the Norwalk taxpayer.
    No more bottomless pit to siphon to the point of exsanguination!

  • 7 Anonymous One // Aug 29, 2007 at 3:25 pm

    #6: Unfortunately, the voters can’t impeach a remove from office those BOE members whose terms are not ending this year. I think there are 4 whose terms are ending, though, and putting the right people into those seats will make the superintendent and his inner circle uncomfortable. However, he can make a lot of trouble with THREE YEARS remaining in his contract.

    I suggest a vote of no confidence in the central leadership, as well as the BOE, because that would draw much more attention to the BOE elections, to which many people pay no attention.

  • 8 Charles the Hammer // Aug 29, 2007 at 5:56 pm

    The BOE is herd of gutless cowards. They have abrogated any claim to authority vested in them by the good people of Norwalk. By hiding behind parliamentary procedure in executive session, they avoided any semblance of transparency. While the “quick and dirty” measure is probably legal, it is highly unethical.

    These officials all mouth platitudes to democratic process and principle, faking an interest in “public input” and “civic involvement”, but when the test comes, it’s “bam-bam…executive session, ten minutes on the floor, and vote the raises!” Can anyone spell “deliberate suppression of public participation?” Also, an absentee, and an abstention only add to this hypocritical travesty; cowards one and all.

    Here’s the message: “Hey Norwalk taxpayer…we can do whatever we want. These scalawags have done such a flipping’, bang-up job we’re going to give them a big, fat raise with your money, and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it!” What an insult.

    The decision to continue Bruce Morris’ no-show job is the symbol for the contempt this BOE has for Norwalk taxpayers. It’s the cherry on the top of this wretched, manure sundae. “Chow down Norwalkers, eat every stinking morsel,” they’re telling us.

    Emboldened by this outrageous disregard for the public trust, Corda and his band of misfits will escalate their brazen misdeeds. If the existing litany of screwball ideas, dubious fiscal plays, priority golf, absentee decisions and outright lying nets a posh pay hike, then what could be on the menu for students, teachers, and parents now? See above.

  • 9 Aunt Bertha // Aug 29, 2007 at 8:10 pm

    Jody needs to have her head examined.Who is she talking to in the schools and was she at the same Convacation that we were at? Wow! She has no idea about the Norwalkers’ perspectives on the issues. Are you paid when you are on the BOE?

    Bishop-Pullan said though there were no public sessions were the contracts were discussed, the board understands Norwalkers’ perspectives on the issues.

    Cnarles you are right on again brazen and greedy are they that were rubber stamped. How will we see Morris’ payment for his sub? Oh, will we even notice? I did not see him but once a year at the most and that was usually at Central Office. They have it made what a scam…The BOE is just outrageous! The people should demand to see the contracts that were pushed through! Thank you Bruce for showing and speaking up. What really gets to me is the lack of parents speaking up to the BOE, is it that they don’t know what is going on?

  • 10 Absolutely need a new BOE // Aug 29, 2007 at 8:23 pm

    The current BOE is clearly not in touch with reality.

    We need to clear the decks of these “bobbleheads.”

    That’s all there is to it.

    We need a team that can review, analyze and control Corda.

    This team failed.

  • 11 Marg5150 // Aug 29, 2007 at 10:01 pm

    Bruce you said

    “The citizens of Norwalk should obtain copies and read the contents regarding, in particular, Dr Cordas contract”

    how can we, where are they? Please let everyone know, so that we can get them, read them & show up on the 4th & will the meeting be at A300 again?

  • 12 Jody Pullan Must Go // Aug 29, 2007 at 10:16 pm

    She is in way over her head. She never should have been named the chairperson. Hopefully she will lose in november. Good Riddance !

  • 13 Bruce LeVine Mellion // Aug 29, 2007 at 11:35 pm

    Copis of said contracts can be obtained by contacting 8544001 and so requesting.

  • 14 Anonymous // Aug 30, 2007 at 12:14 am

    This BoE must go. This fleecing of the taxpayers has got to stop. You are right Charles, the Bruce Morris contract is the cherry on the manure sunday. Another unemployable child of the politically connected.

    Don’t kid yourself about Kimmel, his absence speaks volumes. I won’t vote for any of them even if I am a Democrat! Incompetence and arrogance belongs to all parties, and here it is clear to see in the Democratic party.

  • 15 Bewildered // Aug 30, 2007 at 6:58 am

    The entire shift to “let’s not hurt anyone’s feelings” seemed to only extend to the King. Why extend Dr. Corda’s contract so he won’t leave and then deny extending the contract of two others? Did the BOE want Lang and Opdahl to leave. Let’s make summer reading optional so we don’t upset the kids who don’t bother and let’s give a 50 to anyone who doesn’t even try. I guess that the BOE wants to give Corda a third year even though he doesn’t deserve it just because they don’t want top hurt his feelings and lower his self-esteem. Good luck to the next group who is going to have to clean up all this mess. BOE - I hope the voters are less apathetic than you and REFUSE TO GO WITH THE STATUS QUO. You won’t put the pressure on Corda but I hope the voters show you the door.

  • 16 anony // Aug 30, 2007 at 5:54 pm

    Turfgirl, are you going to put the contracts on this blog as a link?

  • 17 Anonymous // Aug 30, 2007 at 8:37 pm

    When it comes time to vote I will be sure to vote every one of them out. Everyone. Hopefully enough people will do the same, like the rest of our elected officials the don’t seem to care what the Norwalk people want they have their own agenda.

  • 18 Steven van Geldern // Sep 7, 2007 at 12:29 am

    Although the members of the BoE are elected (that’s correct, you or someone you know voted for them) they receive no monetary compensation (correct me if I’m wrong) from the City of Norwalk or the State of Connecticut.

    So….what type of person would commit themselves to endless hours in meetings and voting on decisions which will effect thousand of students, countless families and the public scrutiny of their actions.

    I’ll tell you what type of person, someone who is dedicated to the Norwalk Public School system that’s who.

    Writing anomalously on this blog will not change a thing. Run for the BoE in the next election. Make the commitment these folks have. When elected, what you have to say may no longer seem like drivel to me.

  • 19 Mr Greenpeace // Sep 7, 2007 at 7:02 am

    this is nothing compared to a great articlle in todays hour on the storage trailors by Lauren Garrison seems someone has some splaining to do……

    seems we could of used the old police station for storage and the mayor could of boasted another couple of thousand in returns this year,,this was great investagative reporting a lesson learned I’d say..

    pictures do tell the story but the Hour told the facts on this one,,

    and some people want the tax rate to go down,,,why Norwalk has money………….ours

  • 20 #13 of the Miserable 25 // Sep 7, 2007 at 8:13 am

    If this equipment is worth less than what is being paid for it’s storage, ARE WE going to store it forever?

    Are we being penny wise and pound foolish?

    I bet somewhere we are paying for the storage of Commodore 64 computers, with the idea that they will be used in a classroom again.

  • 21 Mr Greenpeace // Sep 7, 2007 at 9:21 am

    we do have a ship of fools don’t we?

    only problem is we are paying for all of this.

    larger containers cost less to buy,,container companies grease the bottom of empty’s when they cross the open sea so they can fall off there are too many of them they are worthless to some , some countries make housing out of them but Norwalk rents them , and small ones too,,

    lets see some news hound follow my last statement up we are fools paying for these things.

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