It must have been love, but it’s over now
It’s all fun and inspirational games until somebody leaves for a better playground. Brandeis University hails its then-favorite son after he was tagged as Boston new school superintendent:
“Manny Rivera is an outstanding educational leader whose passion, dedication, and success in educating urban children are inspiring,” said Professor Marya R. Levenson, the Harry S. Levitan Director of Teacher Education at Brandeis. “He is a great role model for Brandeis students, especially those who are studying to become teachers or policy-makers in the field of education.”
But then Mr. Rivera decided that it would be more fun to stay in New York and to Hell with the urban children in Boston.
Brandeis’s role model is now being questioned by those in Rochester who wonder whether it’s such a great idea to have Mr. Rivera juggle two jobs.
The Rochester community has known since September that Rivera’s days with the district were numbered. That’s when Rivera announced he would be leaving in July to lead Boston’s school district. Rivera backed out of the Boston job last week to take the state position.
Duffy served as a reference for Rivera in Boston, and said he felt obligated to call Boston’s mayor when he learned of Rivera’s decision to not accept the job.
Duffy says it’s time for the City School District to move on with another leader.
“Superintendent Rivera has been a lame duck since he’s announced his decision to go, whether or not in reality, but at least in perception,†he said.
It’s up to the seven-member chool board to decide the superintendent’s fate. So far, Rivera has not given the board specifics on how he plans to divide his duties and when he will depart for good.
In related news, Boston Globe‘s metro columnist Brian McGrory has decided that Rochester isn’t Palookaville after all.
