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Mr. Cornell will be appointed on February 10, 2015

February 6, 2015, 10:25 am
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Amherst Middle School Principal Mike Cornell will be appointed in February and start work in March as the next superintendent of Hamburg Schools.  Mr. Cornell will be earning approximately $160,000 plus a generous perks plan.

Mr. Cornell will begin his service in Hamburg on Monday, March 9, 2015.  The Board will terminate the services of Mr. Vincent Coppola effective Friday, March 6, 2015.  
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Buffalo teacher and union leader kicked out of a Buffalo school board meeting

February 8, 2015, 7:01 am
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Kevin Gibson, Secretary of the Buffalo Teachers Federation (BTF), was evicted from a public meeting during public expression.   A polite Mr. Gibson approached the rostrum at the February 4th  Buffalo school board meeting to address a matter of public interest.   He was interrogated by Buffalo School Board Member Larry Quinn as to his identity.  Mr. Quinn asks Mr. Gibson if he is a member of the BTF,  and told him that the meeting was not a "BTF meeting".  

Seconds later, a member of the Buffalo Police Department (a real safety officer with law enforcement accoutrements) ejected Mr. Gibson from the meeting.  Not one board member stopped the action, and the feeble Donald Ogilve sat in the corner observing the obstruction of democracy.   Mr. Ogilve is likely licking his wounds after the beating he took for sending the children of Buffalo out into the frozen city this past Groundhogs Day.  

Every teacher and member of the public should be outraged at the actions depicted in this video.






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Hamburg School Board where is the alternative tax exemption for our brave veterans?

February 10, 2015, 7:03 am
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Recently, the Buffalo News reported on the veterans tax exemption on real property and the available tax savings for those men,women and their families who have sacrificed greatly to ensure our life, liberty and property. 

The News provided a glimpse at the savings for veterans in fifteen local school districts, Hamburg Schools was not mentioned.  It appears that the Hamburg School District and Hamburg School Board is ignoring the alternative tax exemption for veterans.  
BUFFALO NEWS VETERANS SCHOOL TAX EXEMPTIONS
The last time the citizens and veterans of Hamburg heard about the available tax savings for our brave men and women was one year ago.   According to district records, there has been no discussion by the Hamburg School District nor the Hamburg School Board on this important matter since February, 2014.  

At that time, Director of Administrative Services Barbara Sporyz reported that research and analysis needed to be done regarding the New York State Real Property Tax Law, section 458-a, which provides a limited exemption from real property taxes for real property owned by persons who rendered military service to the United States, provided such property meets the requirements set forth in the law.  

So, Ms. Sporyz what's the hold up on the tax exemption conversation?  Have you picked up the phone and called the assessors?  What is the impact on the non-veteran tax-payers?  It's clear there is a concern by some that,  "if the parcel is exempt does the balance get picked up by the other taxpayers". The answer to that is, yes it does.  But who cares?  One wonders if these non-veteran folks who might be concerned about an  uptick in their taxes gave any thought to what their lives might be like if our veterans didn't serve?  

February 2014 Hamburg Board Minutes
In February 2014, the community was told there was not enough time to implement the the exemption of the 2014-15 school year.  It remains perplexing why Hamburg has not addressed this important issue for the 2015-16 school year.   Mrs.  Sporyz claims she spoke to legal counsel regarding the exemption.  At what cost to the taxpayer was that conversation?  It seems to Concerned Hamburger, that the Hamburg School District is intentionally ducking this important tax break for military veterans. There is no need to speak to lawyers at $300.00 per hour.  A simple "google" search or old fashioned telephone call to neighboring school districts might do the trick.   

It's not rocket science, it's a process that is relatively simple.  Lawyers are not needed to address the veterans' tax exemption. The fifteen or so districts mentioned in the Buffalo News article seemed to have little trouble figuring out what to do to make the veterans' exemption happen. 

What is needed in Hamburg is a school community that recognizes and values the services and sacrifices of those who risk their lives so our freedom is secure.  

Since last February, Ms. Sporyz has been promoted, tenured and given a generous raise. She makes over $125,000 with salary and benefits.  Her business office has accumulated a record fund balance(district rainy day account)and at the same time cut teachers and staff positions , cut clubs and classes, pays two superintendents, and squandered 1/2 million dollars with Andy Freedman, Esq.  et.al in the Forcucci witch hunt.  

So, Mrs. Sporyz, what about the veterans?  When will the Hamburg School Board spend time discussing this much deserved benefit for our brave citizens?  Hamburg has many service personnel.  The lamp posts in the village honor the brave ones among us.  Hamburg Schools has produced hundreds of service personnel, some gave their lives in the service of this great nation.  So, when will the Hamburg School Board do their job and bring the tax exemption benefit to a public hearing for a discussion, then adopt a resolution and vote?  

The March 1, 2015 deadline is around the corner. 


Here is a bit of background information on the New York State Real Property Tax Law, section 458-a
A resident home-owner who was honorably discharged after full-time active service during a time of war (dates as determined by NY State Taxation & Finance) in one of the 5 branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the surviving un-remarried spouse of such a veteran, or a Gold Star Parent is eligible. National Guard service is not considered to be active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.In general, reservists are also excluded unless they performed significant, full-time active duty. Those who served outside the time of war dates established by NY State may be eligible for the Cold War Veteran’s exemption, but they are not eligible for an exemption on school taxes.

Components of the alternative tax exemption are as follows: 

Basic Exemption:  Tax exemption of 15% of the assessed value of the property, not to exceed $12,000 or the product of $12,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate for the assessing unit, whichever is less.

Combat Zone:  For veterans who are documented to have served in a combat zone an additional tax exemption of 10% of the assessed value of the property, not to exceed $8,000 or the product of $8,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate, which ever is less. 

Disabled Veterans:  Where the veteran received a compensation rating from the Veterans’ Administration or Department of Defense based upon a service related disability, an additional tax exemption on the qualifying residential property to the extent of the product of the assessed value multiplied by 50% of the veteran’s disability rating, not to exceed $40,000 or the product of $40,000 multiplied by the latest state equalization rate, whichever is less.



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Hamburg Schools plan a rally against Andrew Cuomo

March 10, 2015, 8:04 am
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Hamburg teachers, staff and parents are having another rally.  Hopefully, this one will turn out better than the one last May in support of Richard Edward Jetter and his faux fender bender.  The rally will be held Wednesday March 11, 2015 from 5- 6 p.m. at Hamburg High School 4111 Legion Drive Hamburg, N.Y..

At this rally, the Hamburg school community is taking on "the man" in Albany,  Governor  Andrew Cuomo.  It is no secret that Governor Cuomo is playing a game of cat and mouse with students, teachers and school district funding.     Sadly,  Andrew has lost sight of his upbringing.  The very womb from which he was birthed belongs to his lovely mother- a St. Johns University Teachers College graduate and former elementary school teacher.  Andrew, perhaps you should pick up the telly and ring your mum and ask her what she thinks of your attack on her profession?

Good luck with the rally Hamburg.  Its a good start.  But,  what you need is real action.  Sitting  on your own Board of Education is at least one board member, who actively supports Cuomo's attempts at public school reform.   Mr. Thomas Flynn is a misanthrope.  He detests unions ( of all shapes and sizes), tenure and teachers.  Mr. Flynn has made public remarks in support of Cuomo's attempted tenure grab, and you might recall his public temper tantrum when the Hamburg teachers did a collective thumbs down to APPR.   Flynn said publicly after approximately 75% of the teachers said "no" to APPR,  "shame on the HTA- Hamburg Teachers Association.".  Perhaps the rally-goers need to call-out Mr. Flynn's real motives for sitting on a school board.

Hamburg teachers and staff  should consider  joining forces with Kenmore -Town of Tonawanda School Board President Bob Dana.  Mr. Dana proposes that Ken-Ton stop using test scores in teacher evaluations and stop administering tests in grades 3-8.  Mr. Dana, a former teacher, calls his proposal to push back the Guv'nor an act of "civil disobedience".   Only time will tell if Mr. Dana's radical ideas will materialize.  It seems that if other districts, like Hamburg, glom on to the no test- no evaluation Dana train,  Andrew will sit up and take notice of the locomotive of activism heading toward his Eagle Street mansion.

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The winds of change are blowin

March 12, 2015, 10:52 am
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Erie One BOCES Board of Education  has named Lynn Fusco, Niagara Wheatfield's superintendent to the District Superintendent post vacated by Donald Ogilvie last Spring.   Miss Fusco will assume her role with BOCES effective July 1, 2015.     It's a monumental week in Western New York for woman educators.

Miss Fusco's appointment comes a few days after the New York State Legislature gave the nod to Catherine Collins to serve on the New York State Board of Regents.  

And it's good news on the home front,  the Hamburg School Board has seemingly found a man of character, Mr. Cornell,  to run the district.
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It was the Best of Times, the Worst of Times

March 18, 2015, 7:58 am
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....it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. " C. Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.


One is reminded of the the opening sentence of Charles Dicken's great novel upon considering the paradox of spending in the Hamburg School District.   The best of times were captured when ousted board member Catherine Forcucci uttered upon the hiring of Richard Edward Jetter just one short year ago, looks like Santa is coming to the Jetter household.  She was removed from office for speaking the truth. 

The best of times were bestowed upon district administrators Brent Jordan, Barbara Sporz and Colleen Kaney less than one year ago when they were tenured and given double digit raises.   On August 10, 2014 Concerned Hamburger awarded these administrators the Hamburglar awards (see post:  August 10, 2014 Hamburg Cabaret).   The lawyers got a piece of Santa's merry and mirth.  Since hiring the law firm of Hodgson Russ in January 2014, the legal expenses in Hamburg surely must be approaching the $400,000 mark.  So, you see readers, public education isn't about children, please be realistic.  The superstructure of public education is built upon what is taken from the education of children and given to the adults.  Its the best of times for those who control the purse strings.  It is the worst of times for the children.  They are entering the educational winter of despair. 

Last evening, Hamburg presented a bleak budget picture.    The worst of times looms again for the students and teachers of Hamburg, but those designing the cuts and who have enjoyed sizable raises and promotions under the Richard Edward Jetter season of darkness remain safe.  

Those on the Hamburg School Board:  D. Yoviene, Cameron Hall, T. Flynn the turd, Patti Collins, and L. Heeter- the members in the majority who steal tax dollars from children and pad the hands of the lawyers to execute their own personal agendas should be tarred and feathered and made to stand in the public square. 

Some of the proposed non-mandated program cuts for 2015-16 school year are:
  • Kindergarden program and 12 teachers. 
  • Sports : modified, junior varsity, varsity equipment, supplies, & sundry sports items
  • 1/2 day kindergarden program and 6 teachers.
  • 4 Elementary teachers.
  • Pre-kindergarden
  • Advanced Placement courses at Hamburg High- 3.4 teachers
  • Business Department- 3 teachers
  • Teacher Aides- 7
  • Clubs- gone
  • Elementary Music- 2 teachers
  • Pre-K Transportation- gone
  • Math- 1 teacher
  • EMT- 1 teacher 
  • Technology Program- 1 teacher
  • Library- 1 Librarian
  • Health- 1 teacher
  • Counseling- 1 Counselor
  • Finance Academy- 1 teacher- drop graduation requirement
  • Social Worker- 1 
  • Non- League Sports Programs- gone
  • Health- eliminate Health Science Academy- 1 teacher
  • Social Studies- 1 teacher
  • Late Bus Runs- gone
  • Art Program- .8 teacher
  • Buildings and Grounds- 1 position
  • Conferences- gone
  • Foreign Language Teacher- .4 teacher
  • Field Trips- gone
  • Private School Bus Runs- gone


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Taper Caper Dismissed

April 17, 2015, 6:16 am
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NYS Supreme Court Justice Devlin dismissed the frivolous lawsuit filed by Hamburg Central School District,  and bull dogs Dr. Joan Calkins , Mr. Steve Achramovitch,  Mrs. Patt (bubble over the eye) Collins,  Mr. Gregory Wichlacz, Mr. Matthew ("check out my rantings on Facebook") Dils,  Mr. KC Neyman,  Mrs. Diane Reynolds,  and Mr. T.  Bagley against S. Stephenson, L. Stephenson and M. Kavanaugh.

Three years after the plaintiffs in the taper caper case filed a lawsuit against the defendants,  NYS Supreme Court Justice D. Devlin dismissed the matter because, according the Buffalo News,  there were no grounds on which to move forward.    It is very clear HCSD and the vitriolic former and present members of the school board and district administrators file the lawsuit against the three women as acts of harassment and retaliation.

Concerned Hamburger learned the plaintiffs, who filed the lawsuit in 2012 when they were all on the dime of the Hamburg Central School District taxpayers,  made little movement in the case against the three defendants.   The only motion made by the HSCD and the individual plaintiffs was made two years ago.    Then, the lawyer for the district, Mr. Richard Sullivan, filed a subpoena on Google in search of the identity of Concerned Hamburger and bloggers Klozman and Super.   The subpoena was quashed in 2013.*  And, the school district was marred by the sea of bad publicity.

It seems to Concerned Hamburger that the former members of the Hamburg School Board and Hamburg Central's  objective was to annoy the defendants by dragging them through the legal wringer.   The frivolous lawsuit was filed days before Sally Stephenson was seated as a school board member.   The school district and the plaintiffs, riding the taxpayers coattails,  were on a spending spree with the law firm Harris Beach.

Judge Devlin ruled to dismiss the case, but strangely did not award attorneys fees and damages to the defendants.  According to a source, the defendants are planning an appeal in an effort to be granted attorneys fees and damages, and are considering  other formal legal action against the plaintiffs.  This time,  Dr. J. Calkins,  Mr. Achramovitch.  Mrs. Collins, Mr. Dils, Mr. Wichlacz, Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Neyman and Mr. Bagley will be on their own dime because they would not be entitled to indemnification by the district under NYS law.     Our source indicated that the very content of the recording reveals the caustic nature of the plaintiffs.  We were told that at one point in the recording, Mr. Wichlacz talks of stun gunning citizens who question the school board, and Mr. Dils suggests he would have been wise to bring his gun to the meeting of September 21, 2010.   Perhaps both of these men and other members of the plaintiff group would be well advised to seek anger and wrath- management therapy.

Surely the hostility of the plaintiffs is easily document.


* The district did not stop seeking Concerned Hamburger's identity,  Doctor Richard Edward Jetter and the present school board through attorney Andrew Freedman hired a firm called DIGITS to electronically monitor the homes of the defendants in this matter.  Once again, the school district wasted taxpayer dollars on a wild goose chase.   Much like the Erie County Sheriffs departments use of eavesdropping  technology, the school district hired a private firm to "spy" on the defendants in their private homes.     Yes, you read this correctly.
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Cha is locked and loaded and ready with his " I care about Hamburg public school education" rhetoric,

April 22, 2015, 5:10 am
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and on goes the mawk and hooey.   School Districts across NY State will hold budget votes and school board elections on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.  Two seats are legitimately available, and the year left in the seat held by Catherine Forcucci may be available as a consolation prize for the person who comes in 3rd place.  On the other hand,  perhaps Mrs. Forcucci will regain her rightful spot on the Hamburg School Board.

Mr. Robbin List,  Mr. Mike McGarry, Mr. Richard Schneider, and Ms. Amy Brohfueher  have tossed their names into race.   Mrs. Sally Stephenson and Mrs. Patti Collins* have elected not to seek another term on the school board.

And Daniel "Cha" Chiacchia is up to his election shenanigans and has already posted a flashy glossy campaign  announcement on his Facebook page supporting the men in the race.   It appears that Hamburg's local attorney and Frontier graduate, Cha, doesn't realize that most people in Hamburg think he is a fool, and are tired of his smoke in mirrors theatrics.    Isn't their an ambulance that needs to be chased, Cha?

* It is rumored that Mrs. Patricia Brunner Collins is considering a run for a seat on the Hamburg Town Board.   This is not a joke, yet. 
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Springville's Connelly stressed out?

May 6, 2015, 9:37 am
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Concerned Hamburger posted a video and post ( in color below)of Springville Superintendent Paul Connelly defending an email he sent to former Hamburg Superintendent Achramovitch in 2012.   Connelly was troubled by teacher Christopher Cerrone's activism against student testing,  and attempted to influence Cerrone's employment as a teacher by contacting the former Superintendent of Hamburg, Cerrone's employer.  Connelly wanted to "get" Cerrone at work, and exchanged a series of damaging emails with Achramovitch.   Cerrone a resident of Springville and vocal "opt out" advocate, was elected to the Springville School Board in 2014, and is now Connelly's boss.   One must wonder if the " damaging" emails as referenced in this short video have anything to do with Connelly's extended administrative leave.  Perhaps the Buffalo News should submit a Freedom of Information request to Springville and Hamburg and shake out the Connelly- Achramovitch exchange. 
Paul Connelly, Superintendent of Springville Schools is called on the carpet about the email he wrote to Steve Achramovitch, Hamburg Schools Superintendent about a Hamburg Social Studies Teacher, and Springville resident.  This is only one segment of the meeting.  
Apparently, the Board President is ignorant in his knowledge of Open Meetings Laws as he attempts to stop the public recording of this meeting.  His arrogance and ignorance reminds Concerned of the ersatz  Hamburg Board President Dr. Joan Calkins.


Watch until the end of this clip, you will not be surprised at the arrogance exhibited by Dr. Connelly towards one of his bosses, a Springville Board of Education member.  

Perhaps, Dr. Connelly needs to find a new job?

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Hamburg School Board Candidates- a paradox to consider

May 15, 2015, 7:31 am
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Tuesday May 19, 2015, residents of the Hamburg School District will vote on the school budget, and elect 3 members to the school board.  The person who comes in third on Tuesday will fill the seat which rightfully belongs to Catherine Forcucci.

According to the Buffalo News and other sources, Mr. Robbin List, Mr. Mike McGarry and Mr. Richard Schnieder are being endorsed and funded by local attorney Mr. Daniel Chiacchia.    Mr. Chiacchia has been very busy getting people elected to the school board over the last three years.  One must consider if his activities constitute the forming of a political party, or what his real intentions might be?    

Dan has been blowing his wad on the elections- signs, newspaper ads, flyers and other election paraphernalia.   The election literature, funded by Mr. Chiacchia speaks of integrity and responsibility.   One must also consider if the three men, who are seemingly nice fellas, really know the fabric of the man who feeds their election?

Something else to consider Mike, Robbin, Richard and Hamburg voters, why is Dan so concerned about the school district?   His conduct as an attorney suggests he has professionally acted against the innocence of youth.  Mr. Chiacchia is the attorney of Cara Dickey, the Buffalo teacher who was found guilty of having sexual relations with her young 14 year old student.  Mr. Chiacchia attempted to make a case for Miss Dickey.  If that doesn't disgust you then consider Mr. Chiacchia's defense of the Hamburg lawyer, John Duffy*, who was found guilty of a hit and run murder of a young Hilbert College female student.  Mr. Duffy had been drinking the night the student was kill and he left the scene of an accident.  A young girl died, her parents are still suffering.   

So, Mike, Robbin, and Richard, are you OK with having your campaigns funded by someone who seemingly acts against the innocence of youth?  The money that funds your campaign comes from defending these kinds of heinous acts.   Instead, choosing to stand in court and defend those who have abused and killed.   Where is the integrity in this?

* It is rumored that disbarred attorney John Duffy who was released from prison after a very short stay behind bars after killing a young student, is working in the law offices of Chiacchia and Fleming on So. Park Ave.  Where's the responsibility in this?
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McGarry, List and Schneider elected to the Hamburg School Board

May 20, 2015, 7:12 am
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Robbin List, who was sitting in the Catherine Forcucci seat on the Hamburg School Board will be put aside as Robert Schneider who came in third in the school board election immediately takes the Forucci seat.   List and McGarry will take up a three year term on the Hamburg School Board.  Sally Stephenson and Patti Collins elected not to run again.

And so begins a new era of Hamburg dysfunction brought to you by the local lawyer,  self-proclaimed education guardian and demagogue Dan Chiacchia, a tacit member of the school board.  Mr. Chiacchia  bought the seats that Flynn and Hall occupy and now it has been suggested that his money has bought the three men who won last evening their seats on the board.

Laura Heeter will remain the only female on the all white male Hamburg School Board.
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Old Wine, New Bottles

May 26, 2015, 11:03 am
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Mary Ellen Ellia who was fired by the Hillsborough County, Florida Board of Education is likely the next NYS Education Commissioner.    She will replace John King, who left NYS for Washington D.C..

Ms. Ellia is cut from the same cloth as John King, so don't expect much other than the same old, same old.   Ms. Ellia is a product of WNY higher education as stated on her biography.  

Ladies and Gentlemen (you too Dan) meet Mary Ellen Ellia:

MaryEllen Elia was appointed Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools on July 1, 2005, following a nationwide search. District schools have successively earned more A and B grades each year of her tenure as superintendent. The district also earned its first overall A grade from the state of Florida for student achievement after her first year as superintendent, and has earned two more since then.
Ms. Elia, a lifelong educator, began her career as a social studies teacher in the state of New York in 1970. In 1986, she relocated to the Tampa Bay area after accepting a position at Plant High School as a reading resource specialist. She was promoted to several key positions in the district over the next 20 years.
She was the district's first magnet schools supervisor. She was promoted in 1997 to the director of non-traditional programs where she managed all magnet schools, as well alternative schools and drop-out prevention programs. Ms. Elia was appointed general director of secondary education in 2002.
In 2003, she became the district's chief facilities officer. In this role, she provided oversight of all new construction and was responsible for the maintenance and operation of more than 200 existing schools and educational facilities. She remained in this position until her appointment as superintendent.
In 2011, she received the College Board's District of the Year Beacon Award and was recognized with the Florida Department of Education's Data Leader of the Year award for leading the way in using education data to drive student improvement . In 2010, she received the Inaugural Governor's Business Partnership Award presented by Governor-Elect Rick Scott and the Florida Council of 100; the Women of Distinction award from the local chapter of the American Association of University Women; CEO of the Year from the Florida Supplier Development Council; the University of South Florida-Anchin Center Exemplary Leadership in Education award; and the Network of Executive Women 2010 Executive Woman of the Year award. In 2009, Superintendent Elia received The College Board's Outstanding Leadership award. She received the Florida Association of District School Superintendents' Superintendent's Award for Volunteer/Community Service in 2008/2009 and 2006/2007. In 2008, Mrs. Elia was named the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Champion of School Choice by the State Board of Education. She was named Florida's Superintendent of the Year by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations in 2007.
Ms. Elia holds a bachelor of arts degree from Daeman College; a master's in education from the University of Buffalo; a master of professional studies in reading from State University of New York at Buffalo; and certification in educational leadership.
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Hamburg Parent files a petition with NYSED to have Mr. M. Cornell, Hamburg Superintendent removed for willful and intentional misconduct.

June 1, 2015, 6:42 pm
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Gee that didn't take long.

A parent of a Hamburg student has filed several petitions, on behalf of their child,  with the New York State Education Department because of alleged denial of due process by the Hamburg Central School District.     It has been reported to Concerned Hamburger, that a parent of a student, allegedly mistreated and denied due process and access to educational services, filed a petition to have Mr. M. Cornell and certain members of the Hamburg School Board removed from their judge and jury perch.   Other allegations in the petition claim that big boy mall-cop James Martinez, and attorney Andrew Freedman, Esq. , threatened this parent with being arrested should they attend a public meeting of the school board.

Well, heck Hamburg, that didn't take long.  And on goes the dysfunction.   A new superintendent, with less than 3 months on the job,  facing a possible removal by the NYSED  and a crazy body of idiots doing as they please.  

It was reported that the parent  petitioned to have Mr. Cornell, Mr. Yoviene, Mr. Flynn (the turd), Mz. Heeter, Mz. Patt (bubble over the eye) Collins, Mr. List, and Mr. Hall removed.  So it seems this lot is up to no good again.  
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The Miracle in Boston, New York

July 1, 2015, 9:24 am
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Last month, Buffalo Business First published the yearly edition of Western New York School rankings.

The overall rank of the district is 11 out of the 96 Western New York School Districts.

Hamburg High School ranked 18
Hamburg Middle School ranked 37
Armor Elementary School ( AES) ranked 31
Charlotte Avenue School (CAS) ranked 27
Union Pleasant Elementary School (UPES) ranked 55

and drum roll please .......
Boston Valley Elementary School ranked 28

A ranking of 28 doesn't seem like much of an accomplishment, unless you put it against the ranking of Boston Valley Elementary School going back a few years.  As reported by Concerned Hamburger over the years, Boston Valley always fell far behind the other 3 Hamburg elementary schools.  Boston Valley is a small country school with about 300 kids.

Consider the elementary school rankings over the last few years:

  
2011-12
AES  ranked 47
CAS ranked 16
UPES ranked 63
BVS ranked 149  (ouch) 

2012-13
AES ranked 74
CAS ranked 28
UPES ranked 58
BVS ranked 102 (ouch) 

2013-14
AES ranked 41
CAS ranked 33
UPES ranked 61
BVS ranked 40

If one considers that much of the demographics haven't changed in Boston since 2011-2012 other factors  should  be considered when looking for an explanation of the miracle in the valley.  No other elementary school in the Business First reports in the last 4 years have skyrocketed like BVS's rise from 149 to 40.

So what changed?, Did the teaching staff turnover? Was there a sudden increase in the socio-economic status of the families?

We do know that in 2012, the Hamburg School Administration, in their infinite wisdom, appointed a man with no classroom teaching experience as the building principal of Boston Valley.

In July 2012, according to the Hamburg school board minutes, Mr. James Martinez was appointed Boston Valley principal.  According to sources Mr. Martinez has been in Hamburg for 15 or so years.  Could it be, that Hamburg has had a true educational leader on staff, a diamond in the rough,  with the miraculous power to move a school ranked 149 to 28 since taking the helm?  What a shame it is  that the district waited so long before allowing Mr. Martinez to grow marigolds at Boston Valley.  
Hats off to the kids at Boston Valley for shaking off the title of lowest ranked school in the district that now goes to Union Pleasant.

Concerned Hamburger did not see any press releases or media reports of the miracle in the valley. So it seemed appropriate to share with our readers the stunning accomplishments of the little county school.  




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PTA MOM BT DAY, STRIP CLUB OWNER BY NIGHT

August 11, 2015, 11:33 am
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Just when you think you have heard it all, it is worth remembering, that the parents of Hamburg Central Schools have as one of the executive leaders of the Parent Teacher Association, a nudity club owner, Mrs. Christina Whipple.   Mrs. Whipple and her husband Mark Whipple are owners of the strip club at 3747 Lakeshore Road,  Hamburg NY.  

Tonight at the Hamburg School Board Meeting, the Board will vote to approve Mrs. Whipple's appointment to the Health Advisor Council and the Extended School Day Committee.   How ironic it is, that a woman who profits from young girls pandering to the needs of misogynists, simultaneously acts as PTA mom by day.  Even Hollywood hasn't come up with this kind of drama.  So, Mrs. Whipple, what do you have to offer the Health Advisory Council?  What value do you bring to ensuring that young people, specifically young women, grow up to care for their mind, bodies and souls by making healthy choices?   Young girls poll dancing for barflies is not healthy, its morally reprehensible.

According to the New York State Parent Teacher Association webpage,  the mission of the organization is :

The PTA is

    The overall purpose of PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. 

Beliefs

  • Every child deserves to have his/her basic needs met.
  • Every child deserves an education designed to meet the child's needs.
  • Public education is the appropriate forum to prepare children for participation in a democratic society.
  • Every child deserves our continued commitment to advocacy.
  • PTA will take the lead in parent involvement by training parents to be partners in education.
  • PTA will take the lead in promoting the value of parent involvement with the community and educational partners.
  • We are responsible for identifying, understanding, and meeting the needs of our diverse membership.
  • Educators are integral part of our association.
  • Education and leadership training and self-evaluation are essential at all levels.
  • Programs and materials should be provided to enhance parenting skills.
  • Challenging oneself leads to growth
One must wonder if Mrs. Whipple believes in the PTA, or uses it as a ruse to cover her real values which she exhibits as an owner of entities that exploit young women.  What does this say about the values of the Hamburg Central School District?  Shame on Hamburg Central Schools for permitting a person of this ilk as a face of the Parent- Teacher Association and a seat at the Health Advisory Council table, 
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From a Reader: More on the double life of a PTA Mom

August 13, 2015, 12:54 pm
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Mrs. Christina Whipple, Hamburg Central Schools PTA Mom- a piano and violin player too?    

Where are the Hamburg Morality Police? 

Strip club owner professes legitimacy Though FBI Shut Her Down for Alleged Drugs and Prostitution



Christina Whipple was just getting ready to wake up her two kids for school when her telephone rang early on the morning of March 2.

It was Hamburg police, asking if she could give them a key so they could enter her business, located about 10 minutes away.

She gave the key to two cops who came to her door, woke up her husband, Mark, and told him to take care of the kids. Then she got into her BMW sedan and drove to her business, the 24KT Gold strip club, which the FBI and other police agencies were searching for drugs.

“I was shocked,” Whipple recalled last week. “We’ve tried very hard to keep drugs out of the club.”

Meet Christina Whipple, 38, a mother, PTA vice president, soccer coach, volunteer Meals-on-Wheels driver—and also the owner of two strip clubs.

One of her clubs, Mademoiselle, near the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, is still open.

But 24KT Gold, on Route 5 in Hamburg, was shut down by Whipple on June 15 because it lost its liquor license in the wake of the FBI investigation.

She invited The Buffalo News to her club and her immaculate Hamburg home, and in a lengthy interview, insisted that she firmly opposes drugs and prostitution, two of the activities the FBI says went on inside 24KT Gold.

“My husband and I don’t use drugs, we don’t condone our employees using them. We don’t condone prostitution, either,” Whipple said. “And no, I have never danced in our club or any other.

“I am the club’s owner, and mainly, its bookkeeper. My husband is the manager.”

Whipple said she bought her two strip clubs last November. She insisted she runs a legitimate business that employed about 50 people, mostly part-timers, in Hamburg before the FBI raid, and is subject to frequent scrutiny from government agencies.

“What is immoral about it?” she said. “I’m a mom, and I help other moms with jobs that enable them to support their children. A lot of our dancers are single moms, or college students. Some dancers have gone on to work as lawyers, nurses, even in law enforcement . . . I don’t see anything wrong with what we do.”

The interview was the first public comment from either of the Whipples since the police raids at 24KT Gold on Route 5, and Rick’s Tally-Ho, a Cheektowaga club that has no connection to the Whipples.

Police and federal agents raided both establishments following a probe into drug trafficking and prostitution allegations involving dancers and patrons at the clubs. Both have lost their liquor licenses as a result.

Investigators from the Safe Streets Task Force arrested 27 people, including seven dancers and a manager of Rick’s Tally-Ho, and a disc jockey who had worked at both clubs.

Police learned that Rick’s Tally-Ho and 24KT Gold were frequented by drug dealers who sold cocaine in the establishments, according to a state police investigator. He also alleged that both clubs had “private rooms” where customers could pay dancers for sexual favors.

The State Liquor Authority last week canceled the liquor license of 24KT Gold, and Whipple agreed to pay a $30,000 fine. The agreement allows her to apply for a new liquor license. It also allows her to keep the liquor license at the other establishment she owns, Mademoiselle.

The Whipples were never accused or even mentioned in the 184-page federal indictment that led to the 27 arrests, and they had no knowledge of drug-dealing or prostitution at 24KT Gold, said their attorney, David B. Smith.

“The only person charged in the whole case who ever worked at 24KT Gold was a deejay,” Smith said.

The SLA alleged that Mark Whipple was aware of some of the criminal activity, but his wife and lawyer vehemently deny that allegation.

So why did Christina Whipple make what amounts to a plea bargain with the SLA, rather than demand a full hearing?

“If it was up to Christina, she would have wanted to continue fighting for years,” Smith said.

“But the legal fees would have been much higher, and if the SLA wound up revoking her license, rather than canceling it, she would have lost the license at Mademoiselle, too. She evaluated the risks and made a business decision to make a deal with the SLA.”

Even if Whipple had no idea that drug-dealing and prostitution were going on in her club, as the liquor license holder, she had a responsibility to know, and to prevent such activities, said Bill Crowley, a spokesman for the liquor authority.

“The conditions that were found in the FBI investigation, and our investigation, were intolerable,” he said. “If [Whipple] had no involvement in the wrongdoing, she could have asked for a full hearing and presented all the evidence to show she was not involved. She chose not to do that. The authority is pleased that she is no longer a licensee.”

Whipple said she accepts the fact that, as the licensee, she was ultimately responsible. She said she posted signs warning of the club’s “zero tolerance” drug policy and installed surveillance cameras in every room, including the “VIP Room” where private dancers perform.

Whipple, who plays the violin and piano, said the publicity over the case has been “very stressful.” But she said people who know her in Hamburg have been supportive.

She said she is especially proud of the volunteer work she does as a vice president of the Hamburg Schools Parent Teacher Association and other organizations.

As one of seven vice presidents in the Hamburg PTA, Whipple is responsible for activities at the Union Pleasant Elementary School, where her children — Julia, 11, and Jack, 7 — are students.

“Christina is very involved and very helpful,” said Jennifer Hubert, one of the other PTA vice presidents. “She has one of the biggest elementary schools, and personally, I think she’s great.”

Betty Newell, president of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, was asked if the business group considers 24KT Gold to be an asset or a detriment to the community.

“That’s a touchy issue,” Newell said, noting that the strip club did provide some jobs but was also a business that bothered some people.

“Adult entertainment is a fact of life,” Newell said. “[The closing] is unfortunate for people who worked there, but . . . it’s not my cup of tea.”

Whipple said she will reopen the club if she gets another liquor license. After the SLA suspended the license in late March, she tried keeping the club open with dancers and soft drinks, but it was not making money.

Whipple said she bought her two strip clubs last November from Michael and Irena Rudan, who run the popular Sundowner club in Niagara Falls, Ont. She declined to name the purchase price.

“They still own the properties and the buildings, and I bought the businesses,” Whipple said.

“Not the best timing,” said Smith, noting that the FBI crackdown — which mostly involved activity that took place before Whipple’s purchase — came four months after she bought it.

Whipple, former manager of a dental office, said she bought the clubs because her husband was a longtime manager of the two clubs and was familiar with the businesses. She said her stepmother, Nancy Trysnicky, was a longtime bartender at 24KT Gold.

How would Whipple react if, years from now, her daughter reached age 21 and announced that she wanted to become a strip club dancer?

Whipple hesitated a moment before answering.

“I would ask her, ‘Are there better choices you could make?’ ” Whipple said. “But if that is what she chose as a career, I would accept it and support her.” 


Buffalo News March 2010
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Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Rendezvous at Hamburg Middle School

August 20, 2015, 1:05 pm
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A reader recently sent an email to CH regarding the busing of the Catholic school kids with the Public school kids.    It appears that Hamburg Central Schools and Fisher Bus is trying to squeeze and many kids on a bus as possible with little concern for the inconvenience it may cause for others, or the inappropriateness of mixing up the kiddies and jamming them into 16 buses. It has been reported numerous times on this blog that the Hamburg Middle School is a zoo at arrival and dismissal times, now according to the reader, another 100 kids will be added into the mix.  Has additional staff been assigned to look after the little ones just starting out on their educational tour of duty?   Is it true that Hamburg parents are in the dark about the twice daily rendezvous at HMS? And if it is true, is anyone surprised? The Hamburg School District is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside of an enigma. 

The email is in purple below: 

"Thought you would be interested in knowing that 100 students from St Peter and Paul will be transferring at Hamburg Middle school each morning and afternoon to one of 16 busses that will then transport the hamburg students and SSPP student to home.  This will mean that in the afternoon over 900+ students will be dismissed from HMS and the SSPP buses to board 16 waiting busses.  There is no concrete plan in place for this situation and to the best of our knowledge no additional staff will be available compared to last year to watch over the safety and well being of all students even thought there will be 100 more students at the busing site.  The students will also be as young as four years old (just starting kindergarten) and will be expected to independently complete the transfer process.

Finally the parents of the students at HMS have no idea that this is going to occur until the first day of school for SSPP which will be September 9th.  The parents of SSPP where notified of this change on August 13th.  After the August board meeting and will little time to voice our concerns or to get any information about the transfer plan, which appears to be seriously lacking.

If you would like additional information you can either email me or call me XXX-XXXX,  I have been enjoying following your site for some time know and have always appreciated your ability to report all the details to each story allowing the reader to have a better sense of what is really going on within the district.  Thank you for your efforts."
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Hamburg Village Justice Andrew Fleming, greases the palms; ADMONISHED

September 1, 2015, 2:02 pm
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In the State of New York, and hopefully elsewhere, it is a violation of judicial ethics for judges to have an appearance of impropriety- either directly or indirectly.  It makes sense, doesn't it?  A person accused of a crime, doesn't want the judge in the black robes to have had removed his blind folded sense of justice, does he or she?   No one wants the Judge to go fishing for a civil case after he or she has acted in a criminal arraignment.  No one wants Judges to cast away the rules,  and only use them when judging others.  No one want district attorneys, police, and other judges to be at the end of a purse string.  No one wants cover-ups, lies, deceit and institutionalized  evil.    This stuff can't go on in America.  We are a nation of truth and justice, hamburgers and hot dogs (tofu, if ya like) and most of all trust in a fair and honorable system.  Our system is built on people who give themselves to high ideals and the rule of law.

Well in Hamburg, as we have reported for almost 5 years, these ideals along with the  law are just a foot note.  For a second time in less than two years, Hamburg Village Judge Andrew Fleming got his hands slapped by the Judges of Judges, The New York State Judicial Ethics Committee.    See NYS Judicial Ethics Committee decision on Andy :  Andrew Fleming Admonished Again

Hamburg Village Justice Andrew Fleming serves as part-time judge.   He is a full time practitioner of law  with his buddy, partner and self-proclaimed disciple of all that is wrong in the Hamburg School District,  Mr. Daniel Chiacchia ( aka Hamburg Guy).  From what it appears the high ideals and the rule of law are secondary in this story.

Judge Fleming through his partner Hamburg Guy, and his wife US Assistant District Attorney Mary Pat Fleming made sizable campaign contributions to a faction of the Erie County Democratic Party and others.  Judge Fleming donated tens of thousands of dollars to judicial and district attorney election coffers.   The public admonishment of Fleming reveals sizable financial contributions to Erie County DA Frank Sedita,  NYS Supreme Court Justice Patrick NeMoyer, other judges like Chimes, Case, Pace, Keane (s), Fahey, Dillon and more.  

So folks where is the independent judiciary?  How is it that the DA can accept money from village judges, US Assistant District attorneys and school board bullies like Hamburg Guy?  

So, just when you are thinking, "so what"?

You should ask yourself,  why would Hamburg Guy and Judge Fleming give over $1,000.00 to former Hamburg School Board Member Doctor Calkins and her running mate Sheila Ruhland?
Concerned Hamburger reported on this curiosity on July 4, 2013 in a post called : The Curious Case of Joan Calkins, Sheila Ruhland, candidates.....  ( Concerned understand that the DIGITS firm had a particular curiosity about the July 4, 2013 post also)

Hamburg Guy and his judicial partner Fleming funded the campaigns of Calkins and Ruhland.    Both woman lost their bid for a school board seat.  But Chiacchia and Fleming were back at it the following year giving giant sums of money to Hamburg School Board Members Thomas Flynn and Cameron Hall.  Then in 2014, Hamburg Guy and the man in black robes gave even larger sums of money to Hamburg Board Member Michael McGarry and Robbin List.

So there you have it readers.  Draw your own conclusions.   The Hamburg Village Judge has been admonished twice in two years.   Who is Hamburg Guy gonna blame now?
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What took SO long?

October 15, 2015, 7:14 pm
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The  Hamburg Boars of Education finally approved the Alternate Veterans' Tax Exemption that will kick in for our brave men and women in 2016-17.  Thank you VETS for your service to our great nation.  It is vexing that the Hamburg School District has taken three years to finally arrive at a decision to provide our Vets with small relief from sky rocketing school taxes.   Most bizarre is that some of the Boars actually criticized the State of New York for making it their job to set the level of exemption.  Yes, Boars, you might have to do something while on the school board, other than do shady things out of the public's eye.  ( Didn't Danny tell you this when he bought your seat for you? Perhaps you should've just called Dan, and asked him what to do.  He never spent a single day in the Unites States Military*)

It is down right humorous that some of the Boars spoke about the shifting of tax burden to non-veterans, by providing the Vets a small relief.    Not  one of the members of the Hamburg School Board, nor any of the over paid, under worked administrators spent one single day in then United States Military.  Shame on you for making such thankless remarks.   Are the Boars concerned hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars being filtered to Hodgson Russ Law Firm?

The tax relief given to the our brave men and women would likely not amount to more than one month of the District's legal bills.


*would likely be rejected for not meeting the height and weight requirements, but would've made a perfect flying monkey in the emerald forest.
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Hamburg District Safety Officer, and other Hamburg Administrators create false safety threats- District rewards bizarre conduct-SED ignors

November 1, 2015, 5:44 am
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"There's a new sense of security in Hamburg Schools" , so goes the introductory line of the District's publication of The Focus for November and December 2015.    This statement begs the question, was there ever a doubt that Hamburg Schools are safe?    The District publication states that Boston Valley Elementary School Principal James Martinez is the District Safety Officer.    The concerns for safety in the District should be about Mr. Martinez, not the external threats to the buildings that the elaborate "state of the art" security addresses.  
DISTRICT SAFETY OFFICER JAMES MARTINEZ

This past week, Concerned Hamburger received  disturbing emails from two separate sources.  Both, in  independent reports, verified that James Martinez, Boston Valley Elementary School Principal, made false and disturbing reports to the New York State Police and the Hamburg Village Police targeting a staff member.  

Mr. Martinez, who, from all reports seems to be a bit off his rocker, called the New York State Police and the Hamburg Village Policeman Capt'n Melisz and falsely reported a staff member was going to bring a gun to school.   Mr. Martinez made the claim knowing it was false.    The staff member was unaware of the hoax, but Martinez and other members of the "security team" including Mr. Brent Jordan were well aware of the lies that were being created to instill  fear in certain members of the community.    The date of this disturbing occurrence was 9-11-13. 

In a strange twist, Safety Officer Martinez, called a* parent of students in Hamburg High School and Hamburg Middle School and reported that her children could not be guaranteed  safety at Hamburg High School and Middle Schools.  Mall Cop Martinez and District Administrator Brent Jordan created a safety plan for a student at Hamburg High School with the sole intent to instill fear in  students and a family for no other reason than to harass a targeted staff member, who according to sources was not present in the buildings at the time.  

The entire tale about guns and lack of safety were lies created by a seemingly crazy man to tarnish the reputation of staff members.  Martinez with the assistance of Brent Jordan and a newly appointed High School Assistant Principal A. Bolin created lies about safety for no other purpose than to create false documents about a staff member.   These incidents were reported to the school board, two superintendents- Coppola and Cornell, (Doc. Jetter was well aware of it, but he was proven to be insane) and the New York State Department of Education.  The replies are shocking.   Hamburg Superintendent, fresh from a perch as a Middle School Principal offered tenure to Mr. Martinez, ignoring multiple reports of his mentally unstable conduct.   As for Jordan and Bolin they received hefty raises from the school district according to District records. 

In a recently released recording between a private citizen and the head of investigations with the New York State Education Department (SED), the department at SED that investigates "immoral" certificate holders didn't think it was a big deal that a man who is entrusted to look after several hundred people called in a fake gun threat to two police agencies.   One must guess that SED hasn't been made aware of violence in schools, and if they are aware of gun violence in schools they seemingly do not take it seriously.  If a child called in a fake gun threat it would be on the front page of the USA Today. 

Additionally, Concerned was notified that Safety Officer Martinez made two separate false break in reports at Boston Valley Elementary School. Mr. Martinez, in another act of insanity, made the claim to the Hamburg School Board that over two separate weekends in October, a gang of 3 or 4 individuals were seen entering the Boston Valley Elementary School.  Mr. Martinez, in a departure from his conduct related to the gun hoax, did NOT call the police, even though the New York State Police have an office just a stones throw from Boston Valley.    Mr. Martinez, instead of calling the police, falsely accused his secretary, and a handful of others.   Martinez as a building principal and school safety officer didn't think it was important to call the police, because as it turns out it was indeed Mr. Martinez who entered his own building and staged a break-in.     The police eventually investigated the fake break-ins, but not until several weeks after Martinez made up the stories.   The security firm that installed the cameras at Boston Valley told the District that the cameras were manually turned off by the person who had the security code.  (aka James Martinez)

Well, if that doesn't make you wonder what is wrong with Mr. Martinez, this will, and it has been reported before in other media formats. James Martinez knew Dick Jetter damaged his own car back in May 2014.   As a re-fresher, Jetter was in a drunken state resultant of a day drinking outing with the Hamburg Middle School Principal. While drunk, Jetter wrapped his car around a utility pole and then made a false claims that it was his imaginary demons that damaged his car.   Jetter despite making over $170,000 per year, then pilfered district money to pay the repair costs.  Mr. Martinez, who was recently tenured by Superintendent Cornell, was not fired by the District for his insane actions, but rather rewarded.    Martinez aided and abetted in Jetter's crime, and the Hamburg School District, the Boars of Education, and the investigators at SED think this is conduct that should be excused. Fake reports about guns in schools do not seem to bother Cornell, the Boars and SED.   

So, Hamburg Focus readers,  the bells and whistles of the new district safety plan are indeed impressive, they will help keep the children safe while studying.   

However, the one must consider that the external threats are minimal compared to the bizarre conduct of District Safety Officer Martinez. 

The recording between a private Hamburg citizen and Mr. Bart Zabin of the New York State Education Department regarding Mr. James Martinez will be made available shortly on You Tube.  Technical difficulties came up.  CH will up date the post when the recording is up and running.  

* this means only one parent.  There are approximately 1,500 children in Hamburg, but Martinez only seemed concerned about one child  in Hamburg High School, and one child in Hamburg Middle School.    So, parents, unless it was you that was call, you should have dire concerns about this man and his lies. 
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