Brennan Breaks Silence About Rhau   After almost twenty weeks of ignoring me and hoping that I would go away, board president Mike Brennan finally broke the board's silence at the August 8th school board meeting and briefly read parts of a letter I had sent to them on July 17. The letter, which is posted on the saugertieswatchdog web-site for those who are interested, officially requests a meeting with the board's president and vice president (at their convenience) to discuss allegations regarding Superintendent Rhau and other administrative personnel. Although I have not yet received any response, Brennan nervously and cautiously thumbed through The Heidcamp Report while attempting to explain to the public his version of our conversations regarding his concurrence with me about Rhau's conduct. He then made it a point to read two e-mails that I had sent him. During the several months prior to Brennan becoming president we shared many telephone conversations on diverse issues ranging from budget vote, executive session matters, reasons why he wanted to be president , how former board president Buono had failed to follow proper procedures, Rhau's coast-to-coast trips, which items he planned to recommend to be cut from the budget, etc. In fact, on one occasion Brennan even went as far as offering suggestions on what I could write about in The Heidcamp Report. Brennan was so obsessed with getting the second budget passed that he made a plea for me to work with him to turn the vote around. He claimed that only he and I could "get this vote turned around," and asked me to back off (in my articles) until after the vote. He told me that "after the June 20th vote" he wouldn't care what I write about Rhau. Apparently Brennan has had a memory lapse about those conversations. So, to refresh his memory, and for anyone else who might want to hear the verbatim conversation, perhaps I'll post a plug-in on the watchdog web site. There is nothing quite like actually hearing the genuine words coming right from his very own mouth. Admittedly, however, Brennan did tell the public that the board is in the process of making changes; and that is a good thing. Of course that will depend upon getting support from his cronies McCaig, Parisian, Kovac and Buono. While I certainly hope that he will get that support, the "cronies" have a track-record of loyal support of Rhau, no matter what. Time will tell.   The Gambino Fiasco Another issue that has caught my attention recently is the one regarding Mary Gambino, who has been a District employee for more than 18-years. Unfortunately, it appears that Superintendent Rhau and his assistant, Cheryl Nucifaro, are the driving force behind the removal of Mrs. Gambino from her position as "Special Friend." I've heard both sides of the argument on this matter –that of the administration and from Mary Gambino, herself. I've also read a myriad of letters of support for Mrs. Gambino in the newspapers, as well as having attended several board meeting to witness person after person, teacher after teacher, and parent after parent, step up to the microphone to speak out in her favor. The profusion of support has been overwhelming. At the August 8th meeting, board member MacIsaac made a brief presentation as to why he feels that the District should keep Mrs. Gambino in her current position as "Special Friend," and read excerpts from several letters of support written on behalf of Mrs. Gambino. I would like to share with the readers a sampling of some comments about her: • "Mary is our lifeline at Cahill ;" • "If there is a child in crisis, Mary is the one we can count on ; " • "It will be a great loss to the children, staff and parents and the District if she leaves ;" • "It would be a disservice to our students if she is not allowed to continue in her position;" • "Mary's warmth and kindness to the students and their families are very valuable;" • "Mary helps many students cope with emotional difficulties;" • "It would be a terrible loss to our students and their families if Mary left;" • "Mary is a life-saver, she would come at a moment's notice when called for assistance;" • "Mary is a valuable asset to the students in Saugerties;" • "The children love her and parents trust her and feel comfortable with her;" • "Mary's enthusiasm spreads throughout the school and creates a very pleasant atmosphere to teachers and work;" • "Mary always has a smile on her face and can brighten the spirits of the most sullen child with her quick wit and kindness;" • "She has the ability and compassion to reach out to children in need;" • "Mary has so much compassion for the children that she works with;" and • "Mary cares for each and every child she works with, she loves all of them."   And the list goes on and on. MacIsaac then made a motion to amend the original motion to "grandfather" Mrs Gambino in to her current position. It was seconded by board member Tucker. That motion apparently angered Rhau and, in turn, sparked a debate with board members. After a lengthy discussion, Brennan called for a vote on the amendment. Voting in favor of "grandfathering" Mrs. Gambino in to her current position were board members MacIsaac, Tucker and Petramale. Voting against Mrs. Gambino were board members Brennan, McCaig, Parisian and Buono (Kovac and Fisco were absent). It is shocking to realize that Brennan, McCaig, Parisian and Buono would do this to a woman who has worked in the District for more than 18-years, one of our own, a much beloved, home-town girl who owns a home in Saugerties, pays taxes in Saugerties, and who obviously is very much wanted and loved by this community and its children, as well as the board members who voted for her. I still shake my head in disbelief that Brennan, McCaig, Parisian and Buono appear to have thrown her to the wolves just because Nucifaro and Rhau don't want her. They certainly have the right to vote the way they want but what a message about fairness, decency and principles to send to our children! What I find most ironic, however, and from what I've been told, is that these very same board members who voted against Mary Gambino had no problem voting to "grandfather-in" a teacher with tenure from another state who just happens to be the daughter-in-law of one of the board members! How convenient! There is no doubt that we need change on that board. Board members Vince Buono, Ed Kovac and Mike MacIassac each have a term expiring for the next election. And, finally, for a parting comment about Mr. Maxwell's suggestion that those of us who have concerns about the operation of our school system have ample opportunity to address these concerns during the public input portion of the meeting: I hate to tell him this, but I attended the August 8th school board meeting and personally witnessed two people from the community get up and voice concerns about issues, just as suggested by Maxwell, and both were told by board president Mike Brennan, "I'm sorry, we don't answer the public." So much for addressing issues at board meetings. And that's precisely why I write The Heidcamp Report, and will continue to do so regardless of who may try to stop me. Stay tuned, more to come   George D. Heidcamp, Sr. August 17, 2006