Latest news with #Menton
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BOLD School Board votes 4-2 to seek new superintendent amid budget shortfall
May 2---- In a surprise move, members on Monday voted 4-2 to begin a search for a new superintendent instead of negotiating a new contract with Superintendent Jim Menton. The vote came after board members initially considered a motion to begin negotiating a new contract. Board members must now decide how to conduct that search under a relatively tight time frame. Superintendent Menton's contract ends June 30. Board members at the April 28 meeting cited concerns over the district's financial predicament — and worries that the community will not trust the board and current superintendent to solve it — in their discussions prior to the vote. Another factor — not mentioned by board members but referenced by Menton — was his recent interview as one of five finalists for the superintendent position with the Byron Public Schools in southeast Minnesota. BOLD board members Todd Sheehan and Greg Peppel voted "nay" on the motion for a new superintendent search, while members Todd Frank and Sandy Benson made the motion for the search and were joined in "aye" votes by MaryElla Clouse and Brad Aaseth. Brad Reffereth was absent. Board Chairman Todd Frank stepped aside from his role as chair so that he would be free to urge members to rescind the motion to negotiate a new contract with Menton and start a new search. School board members held a closed session with Menton one month earlier to evaluate his performance. Under the Minnesota Open Meeting law, a public body may close a meeting to evaluate the performance of an employee under its authority. Menton told board members that he left that meeting with the impression that he had the support to move forward and fix the district's financial situation. The district is on track for a $700,000 shortfall or greater in this year's budget. It could grow to as large as $900,000 in what Menton described as a "worst-case scenario." The district's financial mess came to light following the resignation of the school district's business manager in September. that the district had asked for a criminal investigation into the business manager's actions. He told the board then that the district was facing a shortfall of $700,000. The budget had not allocated sufficient revenues, nor identified sources for them, for significant transportation and payroll expenses included in the budget. Chairman Frank initially raised the concerns on Monday about negotiating a new contract. He said he had been contacted by 17 different community members, as well as by five former school board members, who said they did not want to see the board renew the superintendent's contract. "I don't think the trust will be there by the community, and once trust is lost, we've lost it," said Frank after explaining his concerns. Other board members expressed favorable opinions of the superintendent, as well as concerns about the fiscal dilemma. "The bottom line," said Clouse, "is he is responsible for balancing the budget and ensuring we do not go into debt." After the motion was made to search for a new superintendent, Menton said, "I understand. I understand completely and this has been a massive debacle. (There is a) need to accept responsibility and I certainly do. As everyone knows, there have been some pretty massive extenuating circumstances that (I'm) just not at liberty to fully discuss. ... It's been an extremely frustrating year." Menton explained that he had left the last board meeting with the impression that he would continue. He added that he had "taken a lot of flak for taking a job interview without the opportunity to fix what has happened here." He said he was not sure that the problem can be fixed in one year. "I am certainly motivated to fix this," he said. Sheehan said he had also left the last meeting with the impression that board members were going to give the superintendent a chance to fix what happened, adding: "All of this wasn't his issue." Clouse pointed out that the BOLD School Board does not have a finance committee in place. She said there were many extenuating circumstances, and that she felt partially responsible for not having spotted the budget problems in the making. "That is what makes this such a difficult decision. I believe in giving people a second chance," she said. Menton has served as superintendent of the BOLD School District since May 2021 He led an effort that saw voters in November 2023 approve nearly $40 million in financing to address facilities needs in the district serving the communities of Bird Island, Olivia and Lake Lillian. Prior to becoming superintendent, Menton had served for five years as BOLD's high school principal. He had been an assistant principal for the Westbrook-Walnut Grove School District before joining BOLD.
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
When Meath call came, Bryan Menton could not resist retirement U-turn
When Bryan Menton got a call from Meath coach Conor Gillespie last autumn, he presumed it was a fact-finding mission. "I genuinely thought he was ringing me to ask about young players in Ashbourne, about who were the up and coming lads on the scene," recalled Menton. "I thought they were happy for me to be retired on my armchair." Menton hadn't played for Meath since the Andy McEntee era ended in 2022, missing Colm O'Rourke's two seasons as manager, but new boss Robbie Brennan figured he was still the best midfielder in Meath. Menton, for his part, didn't take much convincing, reasoning that it was probably the last time he'd get such a call. He has been a key figure throughout Brennan's reign so far, starting all nine of their league and Championship games and, crucially, helping them to claim a landmark win over Dublin last weekend. Menton was part of the panel in 2010, when Meath previously beat Dublin, but didn't play so this was his first experience of actually defeating the auld enemy. "It was definitely burnout," said Menton, explaining why he retired in the first place. "It was an intense kind of six years with Andy there and I kind of saw a clean break opportunity. "I was genuinely retired until I got the call back and at 33, turning 34, that call isn't going to come again. It was very tempting because I liked the setup, I liked the youth that was coming through, so I was absolutely willing to give what I had." Menton recalled that call from Gillespie, a former Meath colleague. "He said he was interested in me coming back and deep down I was really happy with the set up for Meath so it didn't take too much convincing," said Menton. "In fairness to Laoise, the other half at home, she said, 'You're going back, this is the last time you'll be asked'. She could tell by me that I was itching to go back and to give it another go." Asked if it was a regret that he'd never beaten Dublin when he initially 'retired', Menton shook his head. "It wasn't a regret when Dublin were that strong," he reasoned. "I wouldn't say it was a regret, it was more disappointing at the time that we weren't able to beat them. "But Dublin were not only very strong in Leinster - they were maybe the best team in the history of the GAA. It was an unfortunate era to be playing them." Menton said he was confident when he looked around the dressing-room ahead of last weekend's provincial semi-final. "There is a lot of talent in Meath, an awful lot, and you can see it in the young lads coming through," said Menton. "They have really good attitudes too. "They are willing and able to step up straight away, the likes of Eoghan Frayne being captain so young. Himself and Ciaran Caulfield, they were 21, 22 years of age and they are in the captaincy, vice-captaincy roles. "So there is massive talent coming through. I won't be able to play with a lot of them probably but I'll take it one game at a time."
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Bryan Menton savours Meath revival after ending 15-year Dublin hoodoo as Royals reach Leinster SFC final
Bryan Menton is glad he took a punt on a Royal County return. The veteran midfielder walked away from the Advertisement 2 Meath shocked an under-strength Dublin side on Sunday afternoon 2 Bryan Menton of Meath says he's delighted after returning to play with Meath But new boss Robbie Brennan pulled him back in for 2025 and he's started every single game this season. The 33-year-old Donaghmore-Ashbourne man finally got the win over Dublin he craved on Sunday when they Now at the tail end of a Meath career that started 15 years ago, everything is opening up again for Menton. He'll be the first name on Brennan's team-sheet when they play Louth in the Leinster final on Sunday week. Advertisement READ MORE ON GAA And if Meath win that game then Menton will finally get to experience a Leinster success on the field of play. Asked why he retired in the first place, Menton revealed he was simply drained. The former captain said: "It was definitely burnout at the time. It was an intense kind of six years with Andy McEntee there and I kind of saw a clean break opportunity. "I was genuinely retired until I got the call back and at 33, turning 34, that call isn't going to come again. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football "It was very tempting because I liked the setup, I liked the youth that was coming through, so I was absolutely willing to give what I had." Menton missed out on the entire Colm O'Rourke era across 2023 and 2024. RTE pundit Peter Canavan angers fans after leaving notable county out of his 'big four' All-Ireland contenders Brennan wasn't prepared to leave a thoroughbred performer lying idle and put out an SOS for the ultra experienced middle man. Menton said: "It was actually Conor Gillespie, the coach, that called me first. Advertisement "I genuinely thought he was ringing me and asking me about young players in Ashbourne, about who were the up and coming young players in Ashbourne. "I thought they were happy for me to be retired on my armchair! "But he said he was interested in me coming back and deep down I was really happy with the set up for Meath so it didn't take too much convincing. "In fairness to Laoise, the other half at home, she said, 'You're going back, this is the last time you'll be asked'. She could tell by me that I was itching to go back and to give it another go." Advertisement Menton was part of the panel in 2010 when Meath previously beat Dublin, hitting the Sky Blues with a five-goal ambush. But he never actually played in a team that defeated the Dubs in the Championship until last weekend. Asked if that was a regret after initially 'retiring', Menton said: "It wasn't a regret when Dublin were that strong. I wouldn't say it was a regret, it was more disappointing at the time that we weren't able to beat them. "But Dublin were not only very strong in Leinster - they were maybe the best team in the history of the GAA. It was an unfortunate era to be playing them." Advertisement Manager Brennan made the point after Sunday's four-point win that it's not the same Dublin team now. He also said that his youthful side isn't burdened by the baggage of former teams who were thrashed by the Dubs. That's part of the reason why Menton was so confident going into last weekend's semi-final at O'Moore Park. ROYAL TALENT He said: "There is a lot of talent in Meath, an awful lot, and you can see it in the young lads coming through. They have really good attitudes too. Advertisement "They are willing and able to step up straight away, the likes of Eoghan Frayne being captain so young. Himself and Ciaran Caulfield, they are 21, 22 years of age and they are in the captaincy, vice-captaincy roles. "So there is massive talent coming through. I won't be able to play with a lot of them probably but I'll take it one game at a time." Meath and Louth will also meet in the Leinster U-20 final, tomorrow evening in Newbridge. It's the second year running that they'll meet in the provincial final at that grade with the Royals winning in 2024. Advertisement Cathal O Bric's U-20 team contains AFL recruit Eamonn Armstrong and powerful attacker Jamie Murphy who is expected to receive a senior call up after the campaign. It's a good time for Meath football who could yet celebrate Leinster U-20 and senior title successes for the first time since 2001. Menton said: "We have to keep it going now, absolutely. Louth have beaten us in the league, and last year too. They are a very strong side. They have players coming back and making them stronger. So it's going to be a massive test."
The Journal
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Meath cause major upset to end Dublin's dominance and reach Leinster final
The 42 Meath 0-23 Dublin 1-16 Paul Keane reports from Portlaoise MEATH ARE THROUGH to a first Leinster SFC final since 2020 after remarkably smashing Dublin's 15-year stranglehold on the provincial title. A barnstorming, wind assisted first-half performance that left Robbie Brennan's side a dozen points ahead at the break laid the platform for the landmark win. Eoghan Frayne thrilled in green with 11 points overall though it was a wonderful team performance on a memorable afternoon in Portlaoise as Meath suckered their old rivals to secure a May 11 final clash with Louth. Dublin hadn't been beaten in Leinster since, ironically, being ambushed by five-goal Meath in 2010. But it was clear from the opening exchanges of this semi-final encounter that history was potentially on the cards as Meath were fired up and fully tuned in. There were huge performances too from James Conlon, who struck 0-5, along with the likes of Brian O'Halloran and Ciaran Caulfield in defence while Bryan Menton at midfield will be delighted he came out of retirement this season. As for Dublin, who got it back to a two-point game late on, all is not lost as they will still go forward to the All-Ireland series though the sense of a team struggling to find traction this year is strong. Meath fans were desperate to see their team tear into the auld enemy in a neutral ground – and got their wish. With five minutes played, Meath had already launched five different attacks, scored three points, blasted two wides and made it clear they'd be hunting Stephen Cluxton's kick-outs. Jack Flynn was a late withdrawal from the Meath midfield so the impressive Mathew Costello, wearing number 13, lined up alongside Menton. Costello kicked the opening point after an interception on the Dublin kick-out and was hugely influential throughout. Cluxton was recalled to the Dublin team after missing their win over Wicklow but might have wished he'd stayed absent, particularly kicking into the stiff first-half wind. Meath won the toss and opted to play with the breeze. Cluxton struggled badly to get any of his kicks away and Meath capitalised each time, turning over possession time after time and returning the ball back over Cluxton's head with interest. Frayne tried for a two-pointer in the fifth minute that Cluxton cleverly got a hand to, reducing it to a single point. But Meath kept the pressure on and struck four two-pointers by half-time, two from Frayne, one from Menton and another from Keith Curtis. Rathkenny man Keith Curtis came into the game in strong form and kept the hammer down with a big first-half, pinching 0-3 in that period. Conlon seized his chance too after being drafted into the team along with Adam O'Neill. Conlon struck 1-2 as a sub in the quarter-final win over Offaly and kicked four first-half points as the gap widened. Dublin didn't get a score attempt away until the ninth minute and Con O'Callaghan was off target anyhow. It wasn't until the 12th minute that they actually scored, a point from an O'Callaghan free. In all, Dublin struck just two first-half points from play as they coughed up turnovers in all areas. They did create a goal chance in the 34th minute but Lorcan O'Dell's shot was cleared away by Seamus Lavin. O'Dell was one of four changes to the Dubs team from the Wicklow game. Paddy Small and John Small also started their first games of 2025 while Kevin Lahiff made the team up front too. Lahiff was hooked at half-time for Cormac Costello, lending more punch to Dublin's attack. Advertisement The big question was how much the wind advantage would be worth to Dublin after the break as Meath were 0-17 to 0-5 clear. Now it was their turn to display an appetite for destruction and when Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne won the second-half throw-in, it started a move that led to an O'Callaghan two-pointer. Dublin wasted three more two-point attempts in the third quarter though three singles from Paddy Small reduced the deficit. The gap was down to just six when Cormac Costello netted in the 54th minute and suddenly it really was game on at 0-21 to 1-12. Small and O'Callaghan added two more to leave four in it and a sense of inevitability draped over proceedings. It was down to two with six minutes remaining when Colm Basquel lofted over Dublin's second two-pointer, 0-21 to 1-16. Somehow, Meath held on to create a little piece of history with late insurance points from Aaron Lynch and Frayne. Meath scorers: Eoghan Frayne 0-11 (1tp, 1 tpf, 5f), James Conlon 0-5, Keith Curtis 0-3 (1 tp), Bryan Menton 0-2 (tp), Mathew Costello 0-1, Aaron Lynch 0-1. Dublin scorers: Con O'Callaghan 0-6 (3f, 1 tp), Paddy Small 0-5, Cormac Costello 1-1 (0-1f), Colm Basquel 0-3 (1 tp), Lorcan O'Dell 0-1 MEATH 1. Billy Hogan (Longwood) 4. Brian O'Halloran (Ballivor) 3. Sean Rafferty (Na Fianna) 2. Seamus Lavin (St Peter's, Dunboyne) 5. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny) 6. Sean Coffey (Ballinabrackey) 7. Ciaran Caulfield (Trim) 13. Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin) 9. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore Ashbourne) 10. Conor Duke (Dunshaughlin) 11. Ruairi Kinsella (Dunshaughlin) 19. Adam O'Neill (Wolfe Tones) 23. James Conlon (St Colmcilles) 12. Keith Curtis (Rathkenny) 15. Eoghan Frayne (Summerhill – Captain) SUBS 24. Aaron Lynch (Trim) for Curtis (50) 14. Shane Walsh (Na Fianna) for Kinsella (54) 8. Ronan Jones (St Peter's, Dunboyne) for Duke (55) 26. Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown) for O'Neill (58) 18. Ronan Ryan (Summerhill) for Rafferty (61) DUBLIN 1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells) 3. Theo Clancy (Kilmacud Crokes) 2. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf) 4. Conor Tyrrell (St Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruadh) 5. Brian Howard (Raheny) 25. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams) 7. Tom Lahiff (St Judes) 8. Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne (Cuala) 9. Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock) 10. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street) 14. Con O'Callaghan (Cuala – Captain) 12. Kevin Lahiff (St Judes) 26. Paddy Small (Ballymun Kickhams) 23. Lorcan O'Dell (Templeogue Synge Street) 15. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda's) SUBS 19. Alex Gavin (Ballyboden St Endas) for Tyrrell (29) 17. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille) for Kevin Lahiff (h/t) 22. Killian McGinnis (Skerries Harps) for Scully (52) 13. Ross McGarry (Ballyboden St Endas) for O'Dell (58) 6. Greg McEneaney (Skerries) for John Small (59) Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone). Written by Paul Keane and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
Boston Globe
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
A very Canadian season of ‘Top Chef' has unexpected political undertones
All this must've made perfect sense last summer when the season was filmed. Yet here we are a seismic election and several tumultuous months later, watching 'Top Chef' accidentally provide a strong showcase for what makes our northern neighbor its own distinct entity. 'Top Chef: Destination Canada' premiered March 13 in a kitchen decked out in red maple leaf motifs and murals honoring indigenous Canadian art. There, a beaming Simmons and her judging compatriots (chefs Tom Colicchio and former chef de cuisine at Menton, Two weeks in, it's clear the season's leaning hard into its locale. That first Quickfire allowed six ingredients to mimic Toronto's nickname of 'The 6ix' (so called for its six districts). The premiere's elimination challenge featured several powerhouse Canadian chefs offering up special ingredients native to five distinct regions of the country. (I didn't know what a 'crowberry' was before this episode, and now I must taste one ASAP.) In this pre-tariff world, there was no need to provide an asterisk on Canadian pride. Advertisement The second episode doubled down even more. ' As a diehard 'Top Chef' fan, I've loved this season's passion and regional specificity. Still, it's undeniably hard to forget the political context it stumbled into through absolutely no fault of its own. 'Top Chef' didn't mean to become a goodwill ambassador. Nonetheless, its thoughtful attention to what makes Canada unique highlights the absurdity of American politicians forcing such an unnecessary rivalry.
