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SCHOOLS
093003 Letter to the Editor Record Review
Last Monday a fawning Bedford School Board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Bruce L. Dennis. With characteristic braggadocio Dennis defined his almost 12 years at the helm in glowing positive terms, lavishing praise on his dutiful servants.
Forgotten in the self-promoting accolades were major budget defeats, the technological bond flop, sex-ed skirmishes, “Prank Night” blunders and the revolving employment door. Mt. Kisco had five principals in five years.
Then there was the laissez-faire curriculum carnival that metastasized into the so-called “Satan Suit” affair. Rather than quietly address what court documents indicate were “bizarre” and “terminally dumb” goings on, Dennis arrogantly squandered half a million tax dollars defending a stupid, silly card game he labeled as “Math Enrichment.”
Petitions protesting exotic tax-payer assisted international “field trips” and numerous illegal activities were ferociously challenged. Dennis engaged district consul in public relations trench warfare and has spared no (taxpayer) expense. Over the years, successive school board presidents fell under the Svengalis spell.
However this devil must be given his due. Dennis’ greatest accomplishment is the creation of a now insurmountable voting bloc comprised of local parents, businesses and homeowners on the district’s dole. This highly motivated, well-organized faction of the community plunge their snouts into a frivolous sports and programs cornucopia year after year. The price tag is now over $82 million not counting present and future bond indebtedness.
As his golden parachute opens with an annual retirement payout of $133,000, his successor, parents, and students confront a fading educational vision, a physical plant in ruins and years of new construction chaos assured.
Joseph P. Giardina