Random Thoughts From The Sidelines (By Bob Guerin)

A few thoughts from an interested taxpayer, parent and voter: 

The never-ending annual School budget debate has resumed. It seems that the two most frequently argued positions are also back without apology. On one side is the "let's spend anything, it's for our children" advocates and on the other side it is the "Let's cut, cut, cut" crowd. It's grown tiresome, predictable and pathetic. 

Keeping in mind that the Selectmen and Finance Committees have already modestly increased the school budget the argument isn't really about cuts is it? It's all about spending. 

Our school budget problem is not that costs increase, it's that school costs increase at a rate that not realistic. 

So what's realistic? 

In a town where tax revenues grow at roughly 2.5 - 3% a year a realistic budget should grow at roughly 2% - 2.5% annually or about a $550,000 increase in this year's school budget. That's not bad -- especially if you're a private sector type where budgets grow far slower. Its also not the $1.3 million dollar increase the School Administration is seeking. 

In our school district, teacher compensation, which is roughly 80% or more of the school budget, has historically grown at about 5.5% annually or nearly twice the rate of tax revenue (town income) growth. 

Spending money at twice your income has never been a recipe for fiscal health or long-term financial viability. 

To fix the school's budget problems you need to fix expenses; you need to set total compensation cost growth (salary, steps, longevity, stipends, etc) at 2.5% - 3% annually. That's the fix. 

I'd like to hear the School Committee and Administration talking expense management and talking labor costs. Arguing about how much to spend on paper, paint and chalk is sort or pointless if nobody's ever going to talk about the 80% of the budget (teacher compensation) that's sinking the ship. 

Personally, I don't think taxpayers are willing to pay higher property taxes so that teachers can get annual wage increases of 5 - 5.5%. It seems as though the School Administration and School Committee are thinking otherwise. 

Wouldn't it be nice if all the grown ups could get in a room together and agree that in a town where tax revenues grow at roughly 2.5 - 3% a year a realistic budget should grow at roughly 2% - 2.5% annually? Or, about a $580,000 increase. A $580,000 increase in the school budget seems both reasonable and affordable. 

And, wouldn't it be really nice if the School Committee and School Administration would assume some genuine fiscal responsibility and reality and actually manage all expenses to a roughly 2% - 2.5% annual growth budget? 

It just doesn't seem to need to be so hard, so political and so divisive. And, it certainly does not require the drama and theatrics that the School Administration and School Committee seems to bring to the budget hearing process and their televised meetings. 

Will Those Little Wet Footprints Be Returning?

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The furor over the Community School pool issues seemed to have died down lately.  All those little wet geriatric footprints (many leading back to Barnstable, Falmouth and Mashpee) had evaporated from the carpet in the School Committee meeting room. People had stopped asking how we could afford to run the pool, if expenses far exceeded income.  People didn't even seem to care where the money came from to build the "cabanas" on the pool deck.

And then it started.  The locker room, which the World had previously been assured was always well-supervised by school staff, became the scene of an assault that resulted in criminal charges.  Then, a lifeguard -- who the World had previously been assured would be supervising the pool area and protecting the kids -- was arrested on statutory rape charges.

And then, in the light of recent events, the Cape Cod Times wrote an editorial reiterating their support for the prior administration's decision to secure the school building and prohibit non-students from the building during school hours. (It was nice to finally see them support something -- but that's another story!)

Maybe this, and the pressures of the upcoming budget, will generate some public interest in asking hard questions about Pool operations?

If so, I have no doubt we will be seeing those little wet footprints again! 

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Some things never change ....

Just like monkeys at the zoo, the Emptyprize hates to miss an opportunity to throw some shit at their favorite targets!

This week's issue is a classic --- you would assume the lead story would be the fact that the State Appellate court is considering reinstating the former superintendent's previously dismissed case against the District -- a nasty little piece of business that could cost the Town more than $300,000.

You would be half right -- Dr. Johnson was back on the cover this week -- but because (get ready ...) The School Committee voted to comply with the law and the terms of her prior contract and negotiated a pay-out accrued vacation & incentive pay --- SIX MONTHS AGO !

Somebody apparently also had their knickers in a twist over the fact that she tried to negotiate a better exit deal.  Keep in mind, this is a professional with 35+ years of experience who received a positive evaluation, and then was essentially fired 10 days later for no stated reason.  If you're about to be unemployed and negotiating an exit deal, why would you ask for anything less than you think your contract allows?  The relevant number is what was actually paid out -- not where negotiations began.

It's also ironic that somebody who has been terminated is also eligible to receive performance bonuses -- but we've learned to expect the unexpected.

What's even more ironic is that, despite the knowledge of pending litigation, school counsel apparently approved the settlement without requesting any liability releases -- a basic agreement to pay out the incentives only in exchange for the settlement of all pending legal claims.  I can't imagine that little faux pas being overlooked by a corporate client in the "real world"!

Since the Emptyprize  has taken to reviewing payroll records, maybe they will soon be doing stories on how much was paid out (or may soon be paid out) to other Department Heads.  Nothing specific to Sandwich -- historically, the retirement of a Senior Department Head in any Town, will trigger a substantial pay-out of accrued sick and vacation pay.

Or, if they're really in a mathematical mood, maybe they could look at the operating costs of the Community Pool and compare them against the related revenue.  (Hint -- the net of those two numbers will have a negative sign in front of it!)

Here we go again ....

From The Cape Cod Times:

Court weighs evidence in Sandwich contract case (click for full story)

"...Two of the judges — Frederick Brown and Mark Green — peppered Davis with questions about the meeting and took the position that the school board put too much weight on Shack's opinion.

"It imbues the district attorney with power that he doesn't have under the statute," Green said. He went on to say that the newly constituted committee could not abrogate the authority of a previous school committee.

At one point during the town's oral argument, Brown indicated that Davis had already lost. "That's two votes," he said.

Brown and Green suggested the school board should have tried to invalidate Johnson's contract in court within 21 days of the original vote.

"You snooze and you lose," Brown said.

Davis argued that court action was only one remedy at the school committee's disposal and, instead, the board chose to correct the mistake on its own by reposting the meeting and retaking the vote as the district attorney's office suggested in its letter to the town.
But Brown suggested the school committee had another remedy if it didn't want to honor Johnson's new contract. 

"Pay her salary and tell her to get out of town," he said. ..."

Where I have I heard that before?    (Oh, now I remember ...)

Details to follow ...

The real indicator of a quality school system ?

There was an amusing "My Turn" column in the Cape Cod Times last week. Although the paper didn't say it, the writer appears to be a Junior at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional HS -- and an avid volleyball player. (She refers to neighboring school districts as "opposing" schools.)  The writer asked the question, "Could the end of school choice be the savior of struggling Cape districts?". It's an interesting question, but then logic sailed off into the left field wall. 

A few points:

While accepting School Choice students is up to the local School Committee, allowing students to leave their Home District for another school system is a provision of state law -- not a local decision.

Then the math gets a little fuzzy, the writer claims it costs the sending district approximately $5,000/student, which is pretty accurate, but then says that the 175 student choosing to leave Dennis-Yarmouth costs that District "almost $2 million". I have no idea if the number of students is correct but, by my math, 175 x $5,000 = $875,000. Not a small number -- but less than half of $2 million.

The writer also points out the unfairness of D-Y paying out $1.5 million more than it receives (because outgoing students far exceed incoming students). While at the same time Chatham receives $1.1 million more from incoming students than it pays for outgoing students.

Assuming her numbers are correct, that says 2 things:

First, it indicates that the Chatham School Committee recognized they had the capacity to educate more kids and, rather than leave those seats vacant, they maximized the use of their facilities and essentially leased space to other Districts -- good move for Chatham students and taxpayers -- this revenue pays for services that otherwise would have either been eliminated or paid for with local tax revenue.

Second, it shows that enough people have a favorable impression of the Chatham Schools (and/or unfavorable impression of their own) that they are willing to drive their kids out to the elbow of the Cape to attend them.

I'm not sure what's "unfair".  Many would point out that its unfair that parents feel they can't put their kids on the local school bus and, instead, become obligated to schlep them down  to the elbow of the Cape (or some other District) each day.

School Choice is basic Free Market economics.  If the local schools don't provide the product the parent want, they are able to find another that does.  Rather than restrict access to other Districts, School systems should be seeing this as an incentive to improve programs and facilities -- to not only retain local students and reduce outgoing tuition, but also to encourage incoming student to fill otherwise empty seats and to generate local revenue.  (With the caveat that there needs to be a proper analysis to ensure that a District is not over-committing seats to outside students who are entitled to not only stay until graduation, but also to bring in siblings.)

I guess the crux of the article is this quote:

"The schools on Cape Cod are hardly different, and none are bad. They are all high quality, with athletics, academics, music, arts and more and have a lot to offer. There is no reason to want to go to one over another."

As much as I appreciate the wisdom, knowledge, and experience of a 17 year old, and at the risk of sounding like a condescending old fart, I would only ask, "Says who?".  She goes on to say:

"Many Cape Cod residents have strong beliefs on which schools are the stronger schools. Dennis-Yarmouth and Barnstable are usually on the bottom of that list. However, with Dennis-Yarmouth's recently Super Bowl champions and Barnstable's annual state champion volleyball team, ask students — the ones who have the most credible opinion of their school — what they think and maybe those opinions will be changed."

That explains it!  Forget test scores, or graduation plans -- the real indicator of a quality school system is the students' opinion of their football & volleyball teams!

OMG!

Random Thoughts from around the Punch Bowl ...

Merry Christmas!, Merry Christmas!, Merry Christmas!

Not Happy Holidays, Not Happy Winter Solstice, Not Happy Generic Winter Non-Denominational Event, Not Even Happy Festivus !

Merry F'n Christmas !

Now that I have that out of my system -- Please feel free to celebrate whatever holiday you choose -- but DO NOT prevent me from celebrating mine!  Because something is recognized by a large number of people (Dare I say a local "majority" ?) does that make it a Bad Thing?

I applaud the Town of Saugus (coincidentally, the home of the original Sandwich settlers) for having the guts (polite term) to keep delivering Santa to the the Schools on a firetruck -- political correctness be damned!!  (Of course, we could discuss why classroom instruction is being interrupted for any purpose -- but that is a separate (grinch-like) discussion.)

Other Random Thoughts looking for a home:

Wing School Reno?  Maybe I missed the updates, but are we hoping it will just go away if we ignore it?  (Hint:  That hasn't worked too well in the past!)

The Community School ?   I've been sitting quietly waiting for the New Team to begin publicly discussing a plan, but my hunch is that even the Three Wisemen would rather hang out in The Manger than sign up for Trustee Duty in a Financial Sinkhole, inhabited by Rabid Pool People. 

Teachers Contract?  Will we be able to end what appears to be the local drama club try-outs for a re-make of the movie Norma Rae which seem to be occurring with greater frequency at School Committee Meetings -- as Union Leaders DON'T negotiate in front of the camera?  (I hope nobody gets the urge to say, "They like me, they really like me!".  If so, they would be mistaken.)

The Budget?  If we start the year with $500K less in Fed grant money, AND we pay out another $500K in increased longevity & steps, AND reach settlement with the Teachers Union for some sort of COLA (retroactive to FY '11), AND fund Department Heads with Funds previously budgeted for the Assistant Superintendent (who was previously eliminated from the Budget due to a lack of funds), where does that leave us?

Snow Job?  Rumor has it that several members of the BOS have been doing a "Sun Dance" around the DPW yard in an effort to ward off snow -- and the inevitable public outrage that will occur the first time somebody's street doesn't get plowed.  On the bright side, it takes so long for Fire/EMS to respond to the far corners of East Sandwich that the street probably will be plowed by the time the red trucks arrive!  Maybe we could put a plow blade on one of the Engines stored at Station Two?

FLASH FROM THE PAST:  One cold December night a few years back, the Chairmen of the Selectmen and School Committee huddled at a Main Street kitchen table discussing the best way to improve communications between the two Boards, and to prevent future Budget "surprises".  A little further down Main Street, the Firefighters' Union was sponsoring an Open House with tractor rides, a camp  fire, Santa and inumerable happy kids and pleased parents.  As if the firefighters' gesture didn't generate enough goodwill  on its own, they were also refusing cash donations from appreciative residents that night.

Still further down Main Street,  the president of the Teacher's Union was preparing to file a grievance against the Superintendent and the School Committee because they had the sheer audacity to lease a portable computer for every teacher in the District.  Imagine the outrageousness of allowing your teachers access to the latest technology !!  (She couldn't kill the effort, but she did manage to keep the machines locked up in a closet while generating still more ill will and bad publicity.  But, in the Big Picture, I am sure it was ..... "for the children ...").

Now, with those random thoughts purged, I would like to thank those who are willing to suffer the slings and arrows of constant criticism and volunteer their time to work for the good of the Town.  While I certainly don't agree with everybody all the time, I certainly do appreciate the amount of effort most of them put into their work.  (Somebody once said that "Public Service is like wetting your pants in a dark suit --- nobody notices, but you get that warm feeling! -- but I digress.)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!   

Merry Christmas!!

Why can't we have one of those? (By Bob Guerin)

Maybe it’s just me and maybe I don’t understand math and finance and local government but is anyone else wondering how Sandwich Schools managed to hire and pay an engineering consultant and still got themselves a $35 to $40 million dollar estimate to repair or replace the Henry T. Wing School while at the same time the Sturgis Public Charter School in Hyannis applied for and received a $9.75 million state bond to build a brand new 46,000 s/f, two-story academic building? 

According to local papers, the total cost of the Sturgis building project, including a recent land acquisition on Main Street Hyannis, is expected to be less than $15 million all in. 

So, is there someone out there in blog land who can provide a little insight and information to this taxpayer as to how and why Sturgis Charter can buy land and build a brand new 46,000 s/f, two-story academic building for less than $15 million all in (with $10 million in state aid) in less than 2 years time all while Sandwich dithers and debates a $40 million fix for Wing School? 

Seriously, recalling the great Town Hall rebuild and the damn dam project, why is it that every public works project in Sandwich seems so poorly planned and managed and so ridiculously expensive?

Adventures in Charter Review

There's no risk that the Sandwich Town Charter will ever be confused with the United States Constitution (and not just because one is stored in a bomb-proof, climate controlled vault deep in the basement of the National Archives while the other is stored in a manilla folder in the bottom drawer of Bud Dunham's desk!), but the principal is the same -- it lays out the framework for the operation of government

Not every Town has a charter -- which can lead to some "interesting" governmental issues.  For example, the Sandwich Charter prohibits Selectmen from holding any other town office or town employment while a member of the Board.  In the Town of Carver, which has no charter, two of the five Selectmen are also Town employees. That must make for interesting budget discussions.

One of the requirements of the Charter is that the Selectmen appoint a Charter Review Committee at least every 5 years to advise them on potential Charter revisions.  It also allows for the Charter to be amended by Town Meeting with the approval of the State Legislature.  It does not, however, specifically require that the BOS actually present the Charter Committee's recommendations to Town Meeting.  This discrepancy resulted in a minor political dust-up during the last round of Charter review discussions.

Last week's BOS agenda includes applicants' qualifications. The current pool of Charter Review Committee applicants looks pretty good -- a wide variety of professional backgrounds, most of whom have the reputation for doing their homework and playing well with others.  This would not be a good venue for random retaliation, excessive venom, or uninformed interrogations (unfortunately, that's what Town Meeting has become!).