Polanski Termination Hearings Moved To City Hall

Termination hearings regarding School Supt. Harvey Polansky’s employment here, scheduled to start tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7 p.m., have been moved from the Board of Education conference room to Milford City Hall, which holds a larger crowd.

The hearings will be preceded by an executive session in the mayor's conference room starting at 6 p.m.

Polansky has been on paid leave from his job since two public school principals charged him with sexual harassment.

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Lawsuits Against City Mount

Many years ago when I used to meet with my life insurance broker, he and I discussed retirement options. During that time I was young and naive and I dared to ask the question "how does the average person find the millions required to retire?" Well ask a silly question and get a silly answer, he replied "Northwest Mutual did a survey on this very issue and one prominent and alarming response by many people was they expect to win a lawsuit."

As of today, the city of Milford certainly has its litigants lined up to collect from the "city till." This week the Board of Education reported they are "almost out of legal funds" having spent almost all their money combating Harvey Polanski, and other Special Education Lawsuits.

The Milford Police Department is expected to get hit with a "whopper" as a result of two wrongful death lawsuits on the part of fired officer Anderson. These suits are expected from the victims families whose children were killed. The city could expect to pay out Seven figures each to these litigants.

In the Milford law Department today, Cynthia Anger who was fired decided to sue the town in Federal Court over her alleged wrongful termination. She states that because she wanted to form a union the Mayor wrongfully fired her. Her former boss Winn Smith was also named in the lawsuit.

These are just some of the most mentionable lawsuits, but none-the-less they are aggregate to the several other legal nuances that normally occur as a result of the heavy hand of government taxes, home valuations, and environmental disasters.

The level of litigious discord in Milford is reaching a budget breaking climax. Sadly most of these cases are the result poor judgement on the part of someone with power who thought better.

Many are asking who is paying for all this? And this certainly remains a valid question. I believe the city has some insurance to cover losses but in the end taxpayers are picking up the tab for most of it.

The Lawyers who are currently "stirring the pot" could care less about you or I. They are self serving "spin doctors" who make money by perverting logic, and inflating the rewards and expectations of their clients. They love it when people cannot agree it means they get more fees and work. A rational individual could easily conclude that the longer a legal conflict goes on the more a law firm stands to benefit.

Personally, and having been a former Deputy Sheriff myself, I can honestly tell you from my countless hours working with lawyers that they have kids to put through college, mortgage payments, and bills to pay just like the rest of us. They are motivated to make money for themselves and their bosses.

While I agree attorneys have their place in city issues, I fear that this new and excessive use of them is a false sense of security. The end result is going to be higher taxes on the citizens of Milford, and endless ongoing and protracted litigation that every attorney is "salivating to get a piece of."

The surest way to guarantee that a simple problem is complicated beyond reason, is to combine the "pompous delusions of grandeur" of legal clients with as many "liberal self serving lawyers as possible." Only then can the town-wide legal "feeding frenzy" and taxpayer extortion begin.

The time is now for all Milford Bureaucrats to start obeying the law, or change it to avoid the egregious and continual waste of taxpayer dollars to a predatory group of Vulchers..

Board Of Education Moves To Fire Polanski

The Board of Education is moving on.

The board is expected Monday night to retain a Bridgeport law firm to represent it in potential termination hearings for suspended Superintendent Harvey Polansky. At the same time the board is expected to name itself as the search committee to find a new superintendent.

The 7 p.m. meeting in the Board of Education conference room in the Parsons Government Center will also include a report on the district's Breathalyzer and alcohol testing policy, and will involve setting the date and time for high school graduations in June.


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Polanski Extorts City And Refuses To Resign

After having agreed to a resignation agreement with the Board of Education two months ago, Polanski is now holding his departure for ransom. He is demanding another $30,000.00 from the Milford Board of Education in addition to the $110,000.00.

Mark Stapleton, who has represented the constituents of this city with an incredible level of commitment and resolve, has rightfully called his latest act of defiance "regrettable." Polanski, has chosen to go "all in" betting that the city will not try to "fire him out right."

However, he is mistaken because there is good grounds to "fire" Polanski and give him the only benefits afforded under the law for a terminated employee. Assuredly those benefits are substantially less. While Polanski has not had his day in court, his actions continue to declare a level of hubris only expected from a person who just received an innocent verdict by a jury of his peers.

The lewd and lascivious actions that led to his subsequent accusations, and his eventual arrest were borne after the Milford Police Department conducted an investigation and found there was enough evidence, or "probable cause," to have him arrested.

His actions, as were highlighted by his accusers (two principals) included "intimidation," "flashing his genitals," "open mouth kissing" and " placing his hands on their "rears." While Mr. Polanski is scheduled to appear in court to face these charges, his latest misconduct involving this new found extortion plot against the city are only going to further harm his reputation within the community. When he succeeds in achieving this, finding a local and impartial jury to preside over his trial may become more challenging for his attorney Fred Dorsey.

Mr. Polanski has pleaded ignorance to the charges alleged against him. He is citing that "he did not know that his cultural habits would offend others." This is what has laughingly become the "Borat" defence, in honor of the film by Sacha Baron Cohen where the character Borat engages in outrageous cultural behavior that dupes his unwilling suspects in a manner that leads to chaos and confusion.

While only he knows for sure what happened, the preliminary evidence against him is strong. He has created a track record of controversial behavior from the onset of his employment. We have learned that while he was at Southington murmurs about a investigation there were kept to a low tone. Polanski was given the benefit of the doubt, and after attending a party with known sexual offenders and underage drinking that also was a "close call" he managed to escape from.

Personally I believe that, this time, Polanski will most likely end up fired. I do not believe that any sensible person on a city board should allow him to recoup anything more than what is allowed by The Department of Labor. This battle he is waging on the Board of Education will most likely be a second civil case in addition to his criminal case that his testing the limits of the people of Milford.

While this great city has endured all kinds of hardships and legal challenges the time has come to stand up and not create a policy that rewards the malintent of an accused criminal. Perhaps an "agreement in principle" should in fact contain a clarification of what it means to have "principles."

Polanski Saga Finally Ends

The heavily criticized Milford Board of Education ended the Harvey Polanski Saga last night by agreement. The closed door agreement entailed a payment of $110,000.00 an extension of his health benefits and an immediate suspension of his other benefits.

Milford's Board of education has taken the job of our schools as a top priority, and has now established a record of intolerance toward Superintendents that act in a manner that creates animosity toward co-workers and an illusion of perverse impropriety.

Firn, the Superintendent prior to Polanski was also paid off for similar controversial behavior. The parents of our children in Milford take their kids education seriously, as they should, they also want our school Superintendents to act in a professional manner and refrain from behavior that could be construed as lewd or lascivious.

Supporters of Polanski, alleged the now former Superintendent, was never permitted to tell his side of the story. This may or may not be true, but those investigating this case have had correspondence with his attorney Mr. Dorsey who on numerous occasions had numerous opportunities to set the record straight.

Polanski's court date is set for February 2, 2010 at the Milford court house. This day will most likely be his arraignment on the allegations made against him. While anyone who knows the legal system will tell you that an arrest is not any proof of wrong doing but rather a method of due process, we could expect his case to be placed before the court for a resolution.

Harvey Polanski, will have his opportunity to tell his side of the story should he so chose and those who accused him will have to take the stand and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a basis in fact in the allegations they made against him.

While it is real easy to blame the the Milford Board of Education for the way this issue was handled, we must not forget that it has never been the role of a board to decide guilt or innocence. The job of the board, has and will remain political, as they are the public liaison who represents the wishes of their constituents who elected them. The people of Milford spoke "loud and clear" in Firn's case some three years ago. This should have been a warning to Polanski, that our community demands high moral standards and is intolerant of anything less than that.

This lesson was missed because the newspapers and Mr. Polanski mired themselves in controversy. Controversy that went back to the Rhorigs, also in court for criminal sexual misconduct. The public also had a suspicion over the investigation at his last place of employment. It could be fair to assume that mistakes were made during his hiring process, that the original decision was marred by the fact a thorough enough back ground check was not completed.

However, in defence of that decision, his stellar record and awards, mesmerized and wooed many people at the time. From the onset, and even amid failing CAPT test scores the Board of Education members gave him high praises. Our boards have an uncanny way of keeping their "blinders on" and ignoring the ugly truth until the apex of controversy no longer can be ignored. If anything his critics should be accusing the MBOE of being overly complacent, not "harsh, unfair or extreme."

The decision to rid our schools of this unfortunate situation was, in my view, a good one, and the Milford Board of Education Chairman Mark Stapleton should be commended for signaling yet again that our town will not tolerate, ignore or protect any conduct that is damaging to the image of our school system.

Sincerely, I hope that all Mr. Polanski said on record is in fact true. The people of Milford will be watching as his day in court approaches. Should he be vindicated, I am certain his reputation will be restored and action will be taken against those Principals who bared false witness against him.

Milford Police Arrest Superintendent Of Schools

Superintendent of Schools Harvey B. Polansky was charged Friday with two counts each of fourth-degree sexual assault and breach of peace, nearly two months after two city principals filed sexual harassment complaints against him.

Police said Polansky turned himself in at police headquarters at about 2 p.m. Friday and was charged on a warrant, then was released on a promise to appear in Superior Court in Milford on Feb. 2..

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Milford Board Of Ed Awaits Investigation Results

The Milford Board of Education will soon meet much in the same a way a court tribunal meets in the coming months. Their objective, will be fairness, justice, and a resolution to a bitter set of civil and criminal accusations stemming from two Principals and the current Superintendent. The consensus among board members is to wait for the professionals hired to finish their job and present the documents to the board.

Everyone on the board is reserving judgement until the evidence they requested is presented, and all parties involved have had their ability to speak and submit documents in their defence.

The board will be confronted with some hard choices for our school leaders. The best outcome would be a joint resolution of all parties differences, a co-operative agreement on a new code of conduct and no one gets fired, suspended or quits. The big decisions just get deferred at the next contract negotiation and renewal based on the merits of past performance.

The worst possible outcome, would be the buying out of another contract, costly ongoing lawsuits, and the school is left with yet another search for a new Superintendent with the current accusers later exposed (in court) as over-reactive trouble makers.

The decision and work of the attorneys and investigators in the Polanski case certainly have a lot to do. This week marked a second criminal complaint being filed against the now suspended Superintendent and a resurgence of the acrimonious and contentious relationship that exists among Milford's top educational leaders.

No matter what the outcome of this scenario some big career bets have been made, the accusing Principals have gone "all in" against the Superintendent and the focus now has become on who is proven right/wrong. Whoever prevails, may very well have a "doomed career" as a result of either false baseless accusations, or by way of inappropriate behavior.

This is truly a sad situation that will most certainly end up creating a large emotional and financial hole in Milford's schools.

Polansky Attorney Calls Accusations Baseless And False

News over the weekend caused Milford Superintendent Harvey Polansky to become overwhelmed with shock and awe. Polanski retained the services of Fred Dorsey, an attorney from Hartford who spoke on his behalf.

Dorsey claims that the two principals in question have made baseless accusations, that there is no merit to their remarks but stopped short of calling them outright liars. Polanski, instead expects that he will be vindicated and looks forward to coming back to work so he can finish what he started as superintendent.

The Republican dominated board of education will decide Mr. Polanski's fate along with an independent investigation. The new board will be led by Dr. Mark Stapleton (R), who in the past thought the disciplinary actions of the board, regarding the previous Superintendent Firn, were harsh and unwarranted.

Meanwhile the costs to the city regarding this fiasco are dramatically escalating as all sides are hiring lawyers in addition to private investigators. The school district is also paying Polanski to stay home.

The two Principals, who still wish to remain un-named said that they know the scope and severity of their accusations, that these accusations are not something they took lightly. One of the principals broke down and cried shortly after an advance by Polanski. She said she sought advice from a friend, and felt that the best way to deal with the situation was to file a complaint to make it stop.

Polanski's response was in no way a surprise to the two principals, but both assured my sources that they are not "liars," and there was no "mis-understandings" like Polanski is claiming. One of the two principals is considering finding new employment should Polanski return to work.

One thing that all involved agree on is that our schools should remain a healthy and safe place to work outside the pressures of unwanted advances, embraces, or inappropriate touching by any employee especially the boss.

(Above Photo obtained from the internet and does not neceessarily reflect current events see the comments for more info.)

Milfords Schools In A Leadership Crisis

The New Republican dominated board of education is being sworn in today, and their first day on the job will be a nightmare. The crisis in leadership however is nothing new to some legacy board members who expunged the last Milford Superintendent in a similar swarm of controversy.

Harvey Polanski our Current Milford School Superintendent who won high and lavish praises from our mayor Jim Richetelli is now mired in a second wave of controversy. This time the Richetelli favorite is accused of lewd and lascivious acts toward two female Principals who made the allegations against our superintendent.

This is the second time this year that Mr. Polanski found himself in the news, for those who may have forgot last August he was investigated along with Republican Board of Education member Joanne Rhorig.

Rhorig resigned from the Board of Education after a firestorm of controversy occurred surrounding her household and numerous allegations of illegal activity. Charges were made that Polanski attended a party where known sexual predators lived, and underage drinking was ongoing in his presence.

Harvey Polanski is currently put on administrative leave. This occurred after an emergency closed door session of the Board of Education voted on an emergency response to the two principals allegations.

According to local sources an outside investigative agency will be hired at an undisclosed sum of taxpayer money. The investigators are expected to conduct a fact finding inquiry into the allegations made by the two Milford principals.

The Milford School System, will temporarily be under the direction of Michael Cummings the Assistant Superintendent. Larry Schaeffer previously took the post once before after our former Superintendent of Schools Gregory A. Firn "exercised poor judgment" and undermined confidence in his leadership by his handling of a situation involving a coach accused of sexual assault.

The board said "Firn's actions regarding a letter of recommendation for former coach Robert Dulin would be considered in the Superintendent's contract negotiations in June." Firn later Resigned of his own recognisance.

This years case may be much more egregious and prove to be an even poorer choice of a candidate for Milford's top paying job should these allegations be proven true. Aggregate factors already overshadowing our current Superintendents administration has also been the terrible results of the CAPT test scores, a test vital to the graduation of Milford's High School students.

The Republican dominated administration holds a majority on every board in the city of Milford except the Planning and Zoning board of which they hold an even stake. The rebuilding of our schools leadership will be at the helm of the incoming administration.

Most onlookers in the know, however, have been less than impressed with the Richetelli record on education of which now includes the towns second Superintendent being mired in troubles, failing CAPT test scores, standing room protests over 180 teachers having their employment threatened, objections over the Jonathan the Law additions, and controversy over media aides being let go and then rehired.

Polanski Displeased With Milford Kids CAPT Test Scores

Superintendent of Schools Harvey B. Polansky says he is “displeased” with the scores city high school students achieved on the Connecticut Aptitude Performance Test.

That displeasure will manifest itself in a road show of sorts as select school officials travel to high schools across the state to see what those districts are doing to ensure good test results, Polansky said.

“I want to see what the best high schools are doing,” Polansky said. “I am displeased with the high school results (here).”

At Monday’s school board meeting, there was a somber mood as officials pored through CAPT results, which have been on a downward trend since 2007. Milford ranks near or at the bottom in several categories when compared to communities of similar size. School officials were a little more upbeat over the Connecticut Mastery Test scores. The CMTs are administered to students in third through eighth grade.

For the CAPTs, in Milford’s District Reference Group, the 450 tenth-grade students who took the test ranked second to last when compared to 25 other similar communities in math, fourth from the bottom in science, and second to last in reading and writing.

“As you can see, there has been a decline in Milford test scores this year,” said Michael Cummings, who is assistant superintendent of schools for curriculum and instruction. “We’re especially concerned about writing, which has been Milford’s strong point.”

School board member Tracy Casey, D-2, noted this year’s scores are lower in every category except science. Cummings said staff has done an “excellent job” realigning that curriculum. But, he said, since 2007 the science numbers have still dipped.

“Taking a look at this, I’m sure you are not impressed,” Majority Leader Greta Stanford, D-1, said to administrators. “What is administration’s plan to remediate this?”

Cummings said the administration is “not impressed,” and plans to study the numbers in depth. He said the administration will study who has been teaching ninth- and tenth-graders. He also said students may need more time to take the test.

School board candidate and parent Jack Fowler, R-1, said he has researched the test scores, and what is equally disturbing is that, of the communities in its reference group, Milford has the third highest per-pupil expenditure, at $12,354.

“We spent more, the kids got less, and the taxpayers have the privilege of footing the bill for this travesty,” Fowler said. “We are paying for champagne but getting dishwater.”

Cummings said the number of students scoring at below basic and basic levels is climbing, and the reading scores are of “great concern.”

Board member James Santa Barbara, D-5, questioned whether the district is losing some of its more talented younger students to private schools as Milford continues its trend of doing “reasonably well” on the CMTs, while not as well on the CAPT.

ORIGINAL BRIAN MCREADY POST