Hebron Dollars & Sense

Dear Hebron Taxpayers,

Last week I logged onto the Hebron Dollars and Sense (Nonsense is more like it) Website and thank goodness I did. Thanks to a person who goes by MOMBERT, a copy of the proposed 2009-2010 Hebron School Budget was placed on one of the forums (The title of the forum is Budget and it’s listed on the right side of the front page), for all to see.

Well, after having an opportunity to review it, I strongly suggest every Hebron resident should go do the same and starting with the town representatives and elected officials who are supposedly responsible for it. Our illustrious, under worked and overcompensated Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Ellie Cruz, who for two years running has had plenty of time to travel abroad and act as a part-time Ambassador to China, has once again had the audacity to request another increase.

Considering the horrific financial circumstances currently affecting so many of Hebron’s Taxpayers, I find a request for another increase shocking. All you have to do is read the local newspapers and you will see that many other towns are proposing a zero budget increase, if not a reduction in spending. Why can’t we do the same?

My response to this so called responsible and tight budget proposal is, “Time to go back to the drawing board, sharpen your pencils and this time, starting with our Superintendent’s bloated compensation package, take a serious look at what is already in place, as well as proposed. I’m pro education yet, I’m more for fiscal responsibility. Now, since the BOE and our Superintendent, from Essex, haven’t a clue what needs to be done, let me do their work for them and by giving you some specifics.

1. For the third year running, Ms. Ellie Cruz has conveniently put a travel allowance in the school budget for herself, in the amount of $4,800.00. That’s $400.00 per month and an absurd total of $14,800.00 she’ll have received for the three years she’s been driving from her shoreline home, in Essex to Hebron, at the expense of the our town’s taxpayers. Lucky us!

2. Under Support Staff Salaries and specifically listed as item 1123, it shows that last year, $5,656.00 dollars were expended on overtime pay for support staff personnel. The amount proposed in the 2009/2010 or new budget is $5,882.00. Overtime for what? We only have two schools and there is more than enough support personnel working in the schools and Central Office. There should be no overtime and so this figure should immediately be reduced to zero.

3. Under Workman’s Compensation – For the 2007 – 2008 year, the amount expended was $15,570.00. The amount listed for 2008-2009 is 100 and that must be a mistake. What isn’t a mistake is the $39,100.00 that is budgeted for 2009-2010. The sizable increase being proposed must be to compensate for the TEACHER CUTS that are going to take place and in lieu of cutting some of the fat from the “smoke and mirror” budget.

4. Under Dues and Fees or 8901 and Superintendents Office - The $4,000.00 proposed in the new budget is the same as it was for the last budget. What is this for? Additionally, with the crisis we’re facing, why isn’t this item zero?

5. Under Other Objects and specifically item 8000 – The requested amount for the Superintendents Office Telephone is $3,500.00. How could this expenditure be possible? Please note that this expense is just for the Superintendent. I have to question this because I see there is another $10,000.00 in the budget for other telephones.

6. Under Pupil Services and specifically item 3004- Independent Evaluation. The amount budgeted for last year and again for the 2009-2010 budget is $4,000.00. What is this all about and again, can’t we do without it due to the crisis at hand?

7. Under Other Professional/Technical Services and specifically listed as Board of Ed – Legal. This is a good one and a whopping $28,000 per year. What are we spending that kind of money on? Furthermore, what was the actual amount expended on this item last year? More important, what is the amount expected to be spent on it this year? What is the BOE doing wrong that it requires this amount being set aside every year for legal fees? An astute business person once told me that it’s not about whether you can win or lose the case. It’s about never getting involved in one to begin with.

8. When you attend the next BOE Meeting please question your favorite board member about an item I read about in the BOE minutes dated January 8th, 2009? Specifically, look at Item 6 - Executive Session. A motion was made at 8:45 p. m. by Kathy Shea and seconded by David Burgess to enter into executive session (That’s where they go behind closed doors to discuss matters they don’t want the public to hear about) for discussion concerning strategy regarding pending claims and litigation (Labor Board Complaint) and invite Ellie Cruz. What is this mess all about and are the legal expenses for this case included in the $28,000.00 figure requested by Ms. Cruz in the new budget?

9. SURPRISE! I did a little investigating regarding item 8 and found out that this little jewel is going to cost us some big money. Reliable sources inform me that Mrs. Collins, Principal at HES, has gone to the CT. State Labor Board and brought suit against Mrs. Cruz and the BOE. I called the Labor Board and found out that the charges are against Ms. Cruz and for ANTI- UNION ANIMUS behavior. Additionally, I’ve been told that an initial investigation by the Labor Board was conducted to determine if there is cause to proceed and the case is proceeding further. My source also tells me that Ms. Cruz doesn’t like Mrs. Collins and so she has been bullying her for some time now. Have any of you ever met Mrs. Collins? If so, you know she is one of the most dedicated and nicest people you’ll ever meet. Additionally, she gets along with just about everyone.

10. Under Contracted Services and specifically item 4002 - Telephone System, the amount of $4,560.00 has been proposed in the 2009-2010 budget. What exactly are we doing here and can it be put off? I know it would be if this was someone’s business.

11. Under Other Professional/Technical Services and specifically listed as Scantron Assessment Services/protrax/final site. The amount budgeted for 2008-2009 was $5,000.00 and that amount balloons in the 2009-2010 school budget to $16,640.00. Again, this is not the year we can afford spending more money on anything.

12. Under Administrators Salaries and specifically item 1111, this years budget number is $303,866.00. The proposed amount for the 2009-2010 budget is $315,261.00. The expenditure is for 2.8 FTE or full time employees. That includes two year round principal’s positions, one at Hebron Elementary and one at The Gilead Hill School. It also includes a .8 or 10 month vice principal for Hebron Elementary School.

I’ve seen the contracts of all the administrators and there are some serious problems with most of them. This information is available for everyone to see and all you have to do is go to the Town Hall and request it. The FOI act mandates they show it to you. While you’re at it, get a copy of all the Administrator’s contracts, including Cruz, to see the sad truth.

What the heck was Cruz thinking when she created this mess?

2008/09 Administrators Salaries

Eleanor Cruz (Ambassador to China) 12 Month Position $131,250.00 plus $ 14,000.00 (annuity) plus $4,800.00 (travel allowance) plus $1,500.00 (Professional Development)= $141,550.00 (First Time Superintendent)
Joanne Collins (HES Principal) 12 Month Position $108,368.00 6th Year Principal – Not Hired by Cruz
Kathyrn Veronesi (Gilead Principal) 12 Month Position $108,368.00 First Time Principal – Hired by Cruz
Michelle Puhlick (Director of Curr. & Tech) 10 Month Position $91,416.00 First Time Director of Curriculum and Tech - Previous Assistant Principal at HES – Placed in new position by Cruz
Vonda Tencza (HES Assistant Principal) 10 Month Position $87,130.00 First Time Assistant Principal - Hired by Cruz
Please go and extend the 10 month employees pay to 12 months and you are going to feel absolutely sick to your stomachs.
Michelle Puhlick Extended to 12 Months $109,699.20
Vonda Tenzca Extended to 12 Months $104,566.00

a. Cruz should immediately give back at least the travel allowance. This isn’t year one and it’s her choice to live in Essex and not Hebron. Maybe if she did live here, she wouldn’t spend money like she is.
b. Veronesi, a first time Principal, earns the same amount as a 6th year Principal. Does that make sense????
c. Tencza, a first time Assistant Principal, earns approx. 25% more than she should and to the extent that, when figuring her pay for 12 months, she earns just $3,802.00 less than a sixth year Principal. Does that make sense???
d. Puhlick, the previous Assistant Principal at HES got a big fat raise when promoted to Director of Curriculum & Technology and to the extent she earns more than either of our Principals. HELLO! Is anyone getting this???

Want to know what the above adds up to?

In my not so humble opinion OUR SUPERINTENDENT IS TOTALLY INCOMPETENT and the BOE should be held accountable for allowing her to do what amounts to at least taking advantage of and what seems like stealing from the trustworthy yet foolish Hebron Taxpayers!

At our expense, when it comes to the Compensation for our School Administrators, Cruz has clearly created a pitiful, unthinkable and inexcusable long term mess. Oh yes, they have a three year contract and with healthy raises built in for the two years following this one. It's not quite as bad as the AIG bonus program. All 'fun' and sarcasm aside we should be mad as heck that this is happening. It's our money that could be used for our children.

13. Recently, someone using the name as “Auntie” posted an email on a Hebron Dollars and Sense forum stating that Principal Joanne Collins’s performance “Left a lot to be desired.” Of course, Auntie gave no specifics when she wrote that and because she must be Cruz or a friend of hers. Additionally, “Auntie”, when questioned by another person participating in the forum, about wasting Hebron taxpayer’s monies on independent evaluators, for the purpose of evaluating the performance of our two existing principals, said that the purpose of this activity was done with the intention of replacing Principal Collins with Vice Principal Tencza.

Well, that may be one way for Ms. Cruz to try and hide the fact that she has been paying a vice principal a principal’s wage for two years. What really irks me is that Ms. Cruz has the audacity and gall to get this town in a legal battle with a person as competent, dedicated and effective as Mrs. Collins. The woman has more experience than any administrator in this town and she is being paid less than her former assistant, the same as a first year principal and close to what we pay her first time assistant principal.

Needles to say, this “Shoreline Resident” seems to have an agenda.

Here is what Ms. Cruz wrote in the budget under Recent Successes. The first two items can be found on Page 4 and the third on Page 16 of her budget proposal.

a. 2008 CMT scores demonstrate a significant increase in student achievement particularly in math. Hebron schools surpassed content averages of all DRG B districts in Grade
5 and Grade 6.
b. Teachers demonstrate their deep commitment to the students of Hebron Schools in activities such as Nature’s Classroom which fosters learning beyond the schoolhouse.

c. CMT scores are higher than the state average for DRG C and DRG B in reading, writing and math in Grades 5 and 6.
These are measurable, definitive, impressive results and Mrs. Collins, as well as her entire Hebron Elementary School staff, should be commended for what they continue to accomplish.

I think it is high time we start seriously questioning the integrity, credibility, motives and, of course, the Hebron Schools 2009/2010 budget proposed by Ms Cruz.

14. The BOE Bulletin for January, which can be found on the Hebron Schools web-site, states that two Hebron teachers have been selected to become Ambassadors to China. Isn’t that just dandy? We’ve already wasted thousands of state, as well our town’s money, participating in this program and now, we can pay 2 substitutes to fill in for the two teachers while they are touring China. Just so you know, the purpose of this program is stated on the January BOE Bulletin.

I mentioned above and here it is: “This program will enable us to develop relationships that will foster deeper understandings about different cultures”. To that I say, “Go purchase a book or take a class at a local college or university, with your personal funds, if you are so curious about Chinese education”. Even better, why don’t we start paying “Slick Heeled” Ellie at a rate comparable to what they pay administrators in Zhangqui, China? All of the BOE members, with the exception of Kathy Shea voted to send our people to China, so it’s Bon Voyage to Ms.Valace and Ms. Maupin. Enjoy your vacation.

I’m sure the above items are just the tip of the iceberg. Therefore, I’m pleading with you to take a look at the budget. It’s your money and you should demand fiscal responsibility from your elected officials.

As for Cruz, she’s appears to be a big part of the problem and not part of the solution. She is costing the town far more than is tolerable. If this was a business they’d TERMINATE HER and get someone with some experience, common sense and true fiscal responsibility.

With that in mind. Why do we need a superintendent? To micromanage two principles and come up with a budget. Why can't we ask a couple of business persons to join our board for that sole purpose? Or if the board didn't want that task or if it's mandated somewhere that we have a Superintendent why not a part-timer like Andover?

Inform your neighbors.

As I've posted before, I've lived in Hebron since 1986. Ms. Cruz lives in Essex.

If you haven't noticed, I've been critical of Ms. Cruz as well as Mrs. Collins. I stand by my comment that Mrs. Collins leaves a lot to be desired - she is not the forthcoming, pleasant, deidicated person she tries to purvey.

I strongly believe that our administrators are overpaid and overstaffed.

Wouldn't it be nice if we had a single superintendent to oversee both Hebron and RHAM? Perhaps call it a Central Office Committee or something like that - it could save a bundle.

Thanks for the info on the CT State Labor Board. I wasn't aware of this, but it helps put some of the pieces together.

Item 6 - independent student evaluation is fees for determining whether special needs students qualify for state mandated special services like an individual education plan. Many of these student are incoming pre-schoolers, but they can be any age. The state requires the town either provide services or gives the parents the right to an independent assessment of the child's needs.

Well, Least You Did not say "Dollars & Incense", Insinuating What Us Kids In The Old Daze Used To Cover Up The Smell Of a Green, Leafy Natural Substance, Or Putting Up A Smoke Screen To Cover Up the Incompetance & Malfesance Of Pubilically Paid Officials, Which this Site Does Not:dry:

BobS wrote:

Well Said:cheer:
Now Everyone Knows Why I Gave Ellie The Alias Of "Slick Billy With Heels". Her "Slick Arrogance" Is Clearly Portrayed Here & Reminds Me So Much Of Our Dearly Departed "Slick Willy"
Hey Killingly, We Need another Favor, Got room For another "Slickster"?
2 Peas In A Pod I would Say

Perhaps you haven't been to a BOE meeting, but they are NOT at all interactive. Unless they have changed, while there is time for public comment, it is at the beginning and end of the meeting, and the Board has set up guidelines/process whereby members of the public are allowed to comment, but not ask questions and expect a response.

Members of the Board are reminded by the chair NOT to respond to questions asked by the public during the comment period. This process, I understand, was set up to ensure the board can accomplish everything they need to in the time allotted.




If I understand correctly, the Scantron Assessment is the group that grades and summarizes the CT Mastery Test results. Since parts of the test are new this year (including a science component for the first time), the assessments are "needed" to determine if and where curriculum changes need to happen. Since the entire administration is so focussed on test scores, this is their way to pat themselves on the back.

I'd like to remind you and anyone still reading that the budget you looked at, the one that is still posted at mombert's link, is the December prelim version. Since then, there have reportedly been changes made.

There are still reductions in the number of teachers, but this is due to declining enrollment. Originally, there were going to be multiple layoffs, but as a result of retirements and leaves of absence, the layoffs no longer will be necessary. I understand two or more teachers will be asked/volunteer to rotate to other grades or positions.

The Hebron Board of Education was given guidance by the Board of Finance to keep their budget increase to 3% - since the bulk of their expenses are fixed by contract. They came in with a 2.99% budget per the link, and since then have lowered it. to closer to 2.6%. The HBOE presented their budget to the BOF/BOS earlier this month, and reportedly did not receive comment back other than "thank you, we hope not to have to ask you to make further cuts"

Since you have seen the principal and teachers' contracts, what period do they cover? Are they all one-year contracts?


Now, about the China visits. I have heard that the teachers going, on state grant money, are taking an unpaid leave, so there is no cost impact to the town. This was apparently because these teachers are not contracted the same way the superintendent's contract is annual. The collective bargaining agreement allows them this unpaid leave. So while we still had to pay Ms. Cruz's salary while she was away, we won't have to pay these 2 teachers. The substitute teachers are expected to earn a lower rate than these teachers, with no benefits, so this part of the China trip is not as bad financially, in my opinion, as Ms. Cruz's expedition. For the students in these teacher's classes, however, this trip in the middle of the school year is a terrible disruption.


I await the results of the anonymous community survey on administration. My understanding, as told to me from someone who attended one of the meetings to discuss the survey with "outside" officials, was that there was very little support for Ms. Collins (other than a few who said they didn't have to deal with her, but someone reportedly described her as a "Stepford principal" which I find fitting). There were plenty of nice things said about Ms. Tenza and Ms. Veronesi. The meeting was reportedly also attended by one or more of the school board members, who noted that they were there "as a parent". I wasn't there, I've only heard about this third-hand.


With all that being said, thank you very much, Bob Smith, for taking the time to review these items in detail, and to share the information with the rest of the community. There are far too few "watchdogs" or even concerned citizens.

Auntie wrote: WHY don"t they update the information on those sites!?!?! It is only a file. Auntie is correct it is a DECEMBER preliminary version and we are already into March!

Also ... special thanks to BobS for some interesting comments. Never really added up the FULL compenation for our lower school superintendent. Pretty amazing $$$ for one individual in this economy ... can we ask for a REFUND??

I asked about travel reimbursement for Ms. Cruz after reading BobS"s comments that were posted before this forum was updated. The response to my question was that the posting on the forum (attributed to BobS), had many "inaccuracies". Well .... IF Ms Cruz doesn"t receive any compensation for her commute how does she spend THAT much money every week ?!?!? Certainly doesn't carpool with me!!

Think the board has been bedazzled with "teacher-speak" and nothing is ever challenged. Our BOE operates under the incorrect assumption that those who are educators should know what is best for our schools. I, on the other hand, would prefer to challenge every LINE item because I want my tax dollars spent wisely.