This is a GOVERNMENT SHAKEDOWN and we are the fools allowing it!

What makes these people so smart? What a deal these people have... If they do a bad job they get the remainder of their contracts and sent packing with the money...

I guess its a nice gig if you can get it...

This blog is going to get a little warm.

Same Game Different Day, Toomuchgovernment...

NOW Thompson needs to show the BAKER BOYS including Lebute.. The front door.. They all can join Baker at the unemployeement office.

It is TIME to shake the Taj... the GOOD OLD BOYS are gone.. and the DIXIE CHICKS are in charge now.. Lets see if it makes a difference.. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt... I hope I am not let down

So the name changes from the "good old boy" network to the "dixie chick" network. Same crap only bigger salaries. Did anyone catch how out of tune Abbott, Calabrese, and GED boy are with their constituents? I can't wait until the next election!!! P.S. these two ladies are making more individually than the governor of Florida....just a thought!!!

So, they put too much on the backs of the teachers...they'll fit right in here. But, can we tolerate anything more????

What cushy health benefits are they getting? Surely they won't pay over $950 a month to insure their family, that's for the peons to do!!

We can all sit here and write our complaints on how this should have been handled, the bottom line is it is a done deal. Now we need to hope that this all works out well for the sake of our kids and the teachers.

Actually a good house cleaning at the Taj would be a good thing. This may be the start, time will tell.

While I am not happy at all with the salaries, let's hope that these new folks are as good as some say. The future of the school system, it's students and teachers depend on it.

As Martha Hayes and Mary Gemill dedicate their Dixie Chicks hit “There’s Your Trouble” to ex Super Ray Baker - Dennis Thompson is George Straight singing about his new home in "Ocean Front Property"
In Addition, Linda Abbott does Loretta Lynn's "Your Squaw is on the Warpath"
Kathleen Curatolo as Patsy Cline – “Crazy”
Pat Carroll as Anne Murray in "You Needed Me"
Calabrese As Buck Owens sings "Nobody’s Fool But Yours"
Steve Donovan as Garth Brooks sings “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places”

The district is so very fortunate to have new leadership, new thinking, and new opportunities for critical self-evaluation, meaningful change, and forward movement. By bringing in his team, Thompson won't have to be wasting time constantly looking over his shoulder, watching his back, and fighting those who will fight for the status quo - even though the status quo is a dismal failure in many significant ways. Hang on people! We are on the move in the right direction. Support Thompson and his team. Further shakeups, realignments, and reorganizations are needed at the administrative center and this will happen in time, including downsizing and moving resources back to the schools, teachers, and students. It won't be easy, as the current and unproductive brand of administrative thinking has become deeply entrenched within the system over years. Good ol' boy alliances appear set in concrete. Defenses are up!!

This county is a joke. Nothing has changed. Teachers are still on the bottom of the food chain, and that's a shame. A year from now we'll be going through the same chaos with this guy as we did with Baker. So glad my kids are nearly out of the school system.

Any thing has to be better than what we have had for the past 25 years!

Education is so easy! You just have to take an interest and work at it and support the teachers. The classroom professional!

Instead we set up a coat and tie welfare system for those who couldn't and wouldn't.

This could be good!

Great headline NDN. Continuing the Dixie Chick moniker would be like you addressing ex-sup Baker as Faker Baker.

Cut out the blog feeding crap and keep you news stories objective!

Is it my imagination, or is this beginning to sound like an episode of "The Riches"?

Maybe it's not the Dixie Chicks, but rather "The Grifters"..............Excuse that....I meant, "The Drifters".

Those chicks are hot!!!! I'd pay them a lot too, If I was DT. *snicker*

I see the same bunch of "the sky is falling, the sky is falling."

Give the man and the chicks a chance. It can't possibly be worse than the last 10 years of fools we have had directing our children.

If they turn out to be frauds, you can all say I told you so. But, until then, give them a chance, support them, and hope for the best, its what we need.

I'm still embarrassed that our President is from Texas (and Maine and that he graduated from Yale).

And anyone with whatever special character the Dixie Chicks have that enabled them to stand up to the back-stabbing, life-threatening, politically obtuse campaigners to denigrate them has my highest regard.

Let's hope these new Collier County "Dixie Chicks" won't "Shut up and Sing" but will bravely risk their careers, their salaries, their popularity to say and do what they believe is right. And I hope that they do not believe _right_ is obediently doing what our President has set before us in the wrongly-named NCLB Act.

Our whole community should rise up and loudly oppose what the FCAT has wrought among us. I hope our new Dixie-Chick curriculum will promote real learning instead of the loyal-to-Bush substitute for it.

Did anyone catch that little statement from the Rockford Board Member - HEAR IT AGAIN: "Rockford School Board member David Kelley said the women having jobs in Rockford was contingent on Thompson accepting the position as superintendent." Deja Vu?

First let me note that DLT is not capable of doing his job as superintendent without his sidekicks... Having said that, help me out here, but don't you think it a little presumptuous of him to assume that they would come with him, (remember, they reportedly cleared out their offices in Rockford and were on administrative leave just as he was....(probably packing up and readying themselves for the move to SUNNY SOUTHWEST FLORIDA), second, that the board would sign the pre-written resolution to include paying them (yes, $170,000 each (don't forget $7000 each for those moving expenses!) without all that having been pre-arranged?

Doesn't anyone find any of this a TEENY TINY BIT troubling???? SUNSHINE? Sorry, I think I'd refer to it as COLLUSION in the moonlight....

GED-boy promised him/them whatever, rather everything he/they wanted - Ged-Boy is not smart enough to orchestrate this circus event by himself, hence, Actress Abbott with the aid of chuckie, oh, sorry, charlie, and her puppy-dog Calabrese pulled the strings from the sidelines - ever so "innocently..."

And to think, this is all "for and about the children." What a bunch of sorry examples are leading our school board - GOD BLESS KATHY CURATOLO for at least trying to make sence in a senseless situation - How can you soar with eagles when you fly with turkeys?

Re: swfl_ff & truth in education

Thank you for posting your statements of reason. If these women are allowed a free reign to cut waste from an extraordinarily bloated budget; upgrade the level of education across the district landscape and succeed at replacing tax dollars with available federal and/or state grant money, the overall benefits to the CC school system will be immeasurable compared to what they are being paid. I say provide incentives so they strive to achieve, then surpass their goals.

Finally, leadership is in place to clean up the Taj. So long to the good ole boy network and their two associated board members. There is a new sheriff in town with experienced deputies who have the skills and talents to revamp a terribly run organization.

I stand behind them to raise the bar for all concerned.

muchwizernow, KATHY CURATOLA is part of the problem, and is one of the five that need to go.

You are still preaching the sky is falling, the sky is falling.

Do you have any personel experience with Thompson or his Dixie Chicks?

At least the majority of the people these three were serving, speak highly of them.

You can't say the same thing for the Baker brigade.

For a group of people who call themselves "educators", you are some of the dumbest people I have ever seen.

Thompson made no secret that he intended to bring these people with him when he was interviewing. He did it last time in Rockford, he said he was going to do it again when he came to Collier County. Why is this such a big surprise to everyone?

And, why does everyone expect these people to come here for no more money (or less money) than they were making in Rockford? Would you accept a new position several states away from where you are now for the same money? I seriously doubt it. So, why are you expecting these people to do something you wouldn't?

Collier County Public Schools is a business. (Okay, it's the business of educating children, but it's still a business.) And the practice of a new executive bringing along key people with them to a new company is hardly a new concept. It happens all the time, and is more the rule than the exception to the rule.

And, finally, you haven't even given Thompson a chance to do anything yet. He's still getting to know his way around, and he's still getting his team in place. Give him a year or two to implement his ideas. Then, if we're all wrong, you can scream "I told you so!" as loudly as you want and we'll listen.

But, you are being extremely short-sighted, narrow-minded, naive, and judgmental by not even giving him time to get his chair warm. How would you feel if you were given your performance review after only a week on the job (and a NEW job, at that)? Doesn't seem fair, does it? Because it's not!

Save us from this epidemic of stupid smart people, because they are responsible for teaching our children. And what they are teaching are children with their whining and complaining is hardly a lesson that they should be learning.

Well said GatorHator07. Give this new administration a chance!! I bet most of the complainers here are people who may be afraid of losing their jobs!

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$170,000????

Pigsaw - There is no room for such foul mouthed puke coming from your screwed up brain. Give it a break and crawl back under your rock till you shrivel and blow away. You make Collier County and all of the fine folks who have lived here for years look like trash.

So... I wonder how old these women are... looked to be of retirement age? I thought we were after new young energetic people in charge?

As a 2007 graduate of Collier County Schools...I just want to know that the students, teachers, and support staff are being treated well and are on being assisted, not driven, on their path to achieve a high educational standard in our schools.

I think it's time all of us just accepted what has happened, stop blabbering back and forth about it and give these new people the benefit of the doubt and work with them no matter if you agreed with the new or old administration. The fact of the matter is that Thompson and these two new administrators are now part of CCPS. Let's show them some common courtesy and welcome them to Naples and make sure that we all do everything possible to ensure that the students stay the top priority of our school system.

You have a grant writer coming in and now working at a high level. Grant writers are entry-level positions in many cases right out of college. Doubtful that Collier County, one of the wealthiest parts of the country, will receive much federal money.

Women who allow themselves to be referred to as "Dixie Chicks" demean all women in their profession.

I agree with naplesrunner. They are here now we and are stuck/blessed with them for three years. We need to give them encouragement to do what needs to be done. Next year when two Board members are up for re-election (Abbott and Curatalo) one will have been obviously wrong and one will have been proven right and we can vote accordingly. I have a feeling Abbott will be proven right, albeit clumsy, and Curatalo will be free to seek full time employment rather than her new part time job.

Early indicators show that in all likelihood the lawsuits against Donovan, Calbrese and Abbott - and Collier County - are going to be blasteding. The word is that there will probably be irrefutable evidence sunshine laws were clearly violated and Dennis and his gal pals will find themselves looking for a new school district to rip off. Stay tuned.

I agree with those who feel that the Dixie Chicks as they are being called should be given a chance, along with Dennis Thompson, to show their goods.
If they are able to straighten out the mess at Naples High School I say good for them! My teacher friends tell me that at least they do not have to fear for what Baker could do to them if they spoke out - notice how at the recent board meetings the teachers were NOT afraid to speak out about their step! Thompson and his girls need to review the budget and find the money - I bet if a couple of those pricey administrators were to retire the money would be there!

Hey Fed up..

Remember, several of those administrators are double dipping. Including Lebute!!!!! They have already retired and are receiving a FLORIDA retirement and getting BIG BUCKS from CCPS. This is WRONG... The legistature changed the rules a few years ago.. Now they need to retire for 30 days. CCPS HELD their jobs and they returned to the cooshy Taj after their 30 day vacation. THEY LOST NOTHING.. BAKER ECONOMICS AGAIN

Notice the picture look closely...see the smiles...I would be smiling too if I got a huge raise and have no great expectations :) Neither of these women have a doctorate as those they are replacing do and, I also question a leaders ability if he must bring in his "own team"....a good leader should be able to inspire those around him/her to be proactive and team players...Abbott, Calaberese and GED boy you should feel ashamed at giving these two women such a raise....why not hire them at the current salary and then a year from now give them a raise if they make inroads? I would love the opportunity to quit teaching here and be hired in another state for a huge raise without even proving my abilities....

vincentchase, I think you are an ugly, short fat woman with big glasses who could probably use a shave.

Teacher123 - It's called "RISK" my friend. You don't choose to take certain risks and therefore relegate yourself to the crumbs. You guarantee yourself of not failing and I guess that's good for you.

So many of your posts are such sour grapes, it is impossible to give credence to anything you say. Case in point is this sad argument of not bringing in your own team to effect change. That is such a ludicrous assertion, I don't know where to begin to debunk it. How about every pro football team that hires a new coach allows him to bring in a certain amount of new coaches that are loyal to him and understand his system. I dare say that the dollars involved with pro FB are substantial enough to give credence to what they do.

Also, would it be nice if advanced degrees were involved? Sure, but I can almost BET that if your guys were the ones in power, you would be stating that advanced degrees were not always an indicator of advanced performance and you would be right.

One of my beliefs is that you can not use an argument to support your beliefs if you would not allow the other side to use it if the roles were reversed.

The whole situation is sad. Thompson should not be making that kind of money. The two people he brought in should not be making the kind of money they are giving them either. Calebrese compared moving expenses as fair because he worked for some Foundation and they moved him there and back. He said it was customary to pay moving expenses. Well friends, the money they are spending is taxpayers dollars and it isn't free to them to just toss and waste it as they please. This is not the private sector. They are all a disgrace to the Board and have made Naples a laughing stock. Thompson and the ladies he is bringing have pulled the wool over their eyes. Who are they to come in and start making cuts everywhere without even knowing anything about Collier Schools. And no one will respect them when they come here taking the taxdollars from the community with their high paid salaries while the poor little people who work their a**es off for the system, make $13,000 a year as an aide. Yet they are suppose to survive in Naples on that but these people couldn't survive on $145,000. They had to have $170,000 and Thompson was displeased when Curatolo challenged him on that. He rolled his eyes. Please. It all stinks! I have no faith in the Board that they are capable of making rational good decisions for the students, staff, or the community. They are sickening. This is a public school system. How dare they waste our money the way they do. They should all be recalled. A new Board with some common sense is what is needed.

Well said, naplesregular. Having an "advanced degree" only means two things: that you spent a lot of time and money in school for a piece of paper to hang on your wall, and that the extra letters you can put before or after your name mean you can ask for more money when looking for a job. That's about it. Having a Master's or a Ph.D. doesn't necessarily mean you're a smart person.

The construction industry is a pefect example of this. People with college degrees (some of them with Master's Degrees) work side-by-side with people who haven't finished high school, and they both make the same amount of money for doing the same type of work. Some of the "smartest", most talented tradespeople I work with barely finished high school.

Your "education" level has absolutely nothing to do with how well you may or may not be able to perform your job. It's all about your level of experience.

These two look like Home Shopping Club Saleswomen to me.....High paid Home Shopping Club Saleswomen but still salewomen all the same.....and the leader...do they still sell snake oil somewhere?

I rest my case.

So, they put too much on the backs of the teachers...they'll fit right in here.

I think that many of the writers here are too quick to judge. I believe that in a few months, when some of the "pricey" administators are gone - and I did not realize that LaBute had retired already, how can it be she is holding a job here? -
that we will be happier and these pricey new administrators will be doing a good job. We are all hoping so anyway! Give them a chance, just like you all gave Baker a chance, and look what he did! broke the law!
this is Thompson's chance to change things and if it does not work out, you can vote next year!
I think Rosalyn Wright is another one who retired and came back, am I right?

So, you have the girls aboard the Thompson circus train now also. Good for you. I have personally dealt with Ms. Hayes on occasion and I can say she does know her stuff. The trouble though is the standards that they refer to in the article is exactly what they teach. They ONLY teach to the standards that are required by law. They do not teach anything else unless it falls on the state standardized tests. They will pound the state standard tests home until the kids are sick of it and then they will teach it some more. The kids need more than that though and that is where this administration team falls short. I honestly had nothing do do with Ms Gemmill. I heard good things about her, but really, what does her position involve other than smoothing things over once in a while with the teachers? For the money she makes, I would think there would be more involvement in the community, but I guess not. Anyway, Thompson and the girls will serve you all right for a year, maybe two and then hold on to your hats because year three will be the time things change and you are all going to be in for a treat when they make those changes for the worse. Just ask them about encouraging principals to change failing grades in over 600 cases at Jefferson High School. I am sure they have their good answers, but back them into a corner a bit and see how they squirm their way out.

In Rockford, the consensus is that Mrs. Gemill did very little. Human Resources became nicknamed "Sub-Human Resources". When Mrs. Gemill came in, the current director is/was grossly incompetent. Instead of canning him, she kept him. So then we had a job duplication and the HR department continued to be incompetent. They tampered with personnel files, lost certification documents, screwed up payroll, etc.
Mrs. Gemill was very "hands off" in her management style, (or lack thereof). But she dresssed nice and had a pleasant smile.
People skills- Yes, they told me that Mary Ann was very understanding and empathetic, but she wouldn't return phone calls or emails or deal with problems for teachers. So to say that she was overly friendly is an exaggeration.
Hiring practices of HR were very corrupt under Thompson's regime. It can be summarized in one word: NEPOTISM. Qualified people who had worked their way up were denied jobs and interviews. Outsiders and carpetbaggers got hired easily. Jobs were created for people's spouses and kids.
Citizens of Naples: I feel sorry for you. Prepare to get ripped off.

Yeah, they are incredible people Mr. Thompson.

Incredibly stupid to follow you down here for your short term.

Are they aware of the way that this works?

Quick hired, fast fired.

Go back to Roachford....or remain there, because the costs to the school system and the taxpayers is horrific to think about.

The entire hiring process should be looked into further. What happened to EEOC????

These IL. chicadees can fly back to Roachford right now. The ticket is already funded by tax dollars anyway.

They look like Dr. Thompson's concubines. The taxpayers of this County are paying $340,000 plus for the school superintendent's girlfriends. Pathetic.