Although the School Committee hasn't met in two weeks, they won't be meeting today either. Apparently because today is the 5th Wednesday -- and they only meet on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday -- God forbid we disrupt "routine" for something as silly as a projected $2.5 million deficit!
They will, however, be meeting with their counsel on the 30th to discuss the latest chapter in the Superintendent Saga -- now that her counsel has called them out on the fact that they had no apparent understanding of the Open Meeting Law.
They'll probably also be discussing the Minkoff case -- maybe they could do a "two-fer" -- settle both contracts and then sue the school attorney for bad advice and collect an equivalent settlement from his malpractice carrier. Somebody told them they could fire Minkoff and someone told them they could disregard Johnson's contract. IF that advice was in error, then "somebody" should pay for that error -- other than the students & taxpayers of Sandwich!
While we're waiting for some great revelations, here's a few questions I would like to see answers for:
1) If the budget needs to be cut by $2.5 million next year, what is the Board's plan? A majority of the Committee has made it clear that they have no confidence in the Superintendent -- yet the magnitude of these budget cuts will require a tremendous amount of collaboration with the Superintendent to ensure the District properly balances public expectations and fiscal realities in the next budget. To date, there has been no such discussions. This budget is unlike the other budgets for the past several years -- there will be serious cuts and program eliminations. The Committee can't sit back and wait for a proposal so they can shoot it down -- like they do everything else proposed by this administration. There is not enough time to play these games and still get a budget in front of Town Meeting in May. And there is no way on God's green earth that those antics will ever help pass an override -- if anybody is actually contemplating asking for one.
Does anyone on the Committee have the, ah ... guts, to take on the Athletic boosters -- or are we just going to cancel the art, music, drama, and history classes, fire a few janitors, secretaries and librarians, and implement bus fees?
2) What is the status of the Superintendent Search process? It's been over three months since the Gang of Four decided they wanted a new scapegoat -- what's been done about it? Are we hiring a professional consultant, or are we going the Amateur Hour route again ? How much are we paying the consultant and how much will we be offering the new Superintendent? Assuming we will also be paying settlements to both the former Assistant Superintendent, and the maybe-soon-to-be-former-Superintendent, how will these settlements be funded? (The first one may be covered by insurance -- but I bet the carrier refuses to fund the second because it was done in a fashion so blatantly contrary to state law.)
3) What about the Community School? The audit report came back and confirmed the allegations that have been made over the past three years. What will be done to correct these problems?
4) What about the Cape Cod Collaborative? The bill for SPED transportation service provided by the Collaborative was obscene. If the District can buy four vans, hire four drivers and still save $300,000, all relations with the Collaborative should be terminated. The concept of the Collaborative pooling resources of member Districts is logical and fiscally sound. But, I suspect a certain amount of Administrative and programmatic bloat has infected the CCC and the member Districts have been forced to pay for it -- a bill few can afford any longer.
5) What about Ethics? Linehan's husband is a school employee. Crossman is a Community School Employee. I have never seen them leave the table during a public meeting -- even if the discussion would have a direct economic impact on them. Linehan even sat through union grievance hearings for HS teachers working with her husband -- yet, inexplicably, recused herself only from some K-8 grievance hearings. Lose the holier than thou attitudes -- leave the room. (Cahill's spouse is a teacher also -- but she is not a member of the union, he does not attend grievance or contract discussions, and has not been involved in any discussions with personal economic impact.
The are are many more questions, but I don't want to overwhelm anyone !
14 comments:
Bob,
As the parent of a child in kindergarten and a 2 year old, you can imagine my concern with the situation of the Sandwich schools. Do you honestly see a way out of this?
I appreciate your concern. Our oldest graduated last year and is pursuing an education degree, but we still have 3 kids in the system for the next 7 years.
There are some great teachers and administrators in the District that all too frequently don't get recognized when we fight about those that aren't great.
I have obviously been a big supporter of the Superintendent because I thonk she's kicked some asses that needed kicking. And, not surprisingly, many have been kicking back.
Unfortunately, I think the majority of the current school committee represents their own special interests -- either the leaders of the Teachers' union, or the Community School folks -- neither is focussed on benefitting the kids in grades K-12. That concerns me.
We can have the greatest teachers and programs in the world but if the Community School isn't paying its share of operating expenses, or staff salaries are increasing faster than revenue, then resources are being diverted away from benefitting the kids.
It's crucial that we get a School Committee that can grasp the Big Picture and fight for every kid -- not just the swimming pool, or the latest union demand. Members need to put aside their egos and petty vendettas and exhibit some professionalism and management ability and recognize their role as members of the Board of Directors of a $30 million entity -- they need to be focussing on strategic planning and budgeting, and hiring professionals to do the job that they have been trained for -- not discussing copier toner and dirt on the rugs.
Former committees had lawyers, accountants, and retired military officers -- all with managerial and financial experience -- we established goals, yet deferred to the Superintendent as to how those financial & educational goals were met.
Does anybody REALLY think a respitory therapist with a high school diploma knows more about running a school district than an educator with 3 degrees, and almost 40 years experience as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent? How about a nurse, a librarian, or a swim coach?
The Town is facing huge financial issues. There is no tax base in this town except residential. There is no industry and few second homes. The only options are to continually cut costs or increase taxes. Given the current climate, I don't see any override in the future -- at least until there are some substantial cuts in operating costs. Given that the biggest operating cost (by far) is labor -- that means cutting town & school positions.
Perhaps, after seeing the real impact of service cuts, and if local government can convince people that they really are running efficiently, people might be willing to contribute more to the operatig costs of the Town -- but that is going to take a lot of hard work from local officials that are not only professionally qualified, but also inspire confidence on the part of the taxpayer.
It's also going to take the involvement of the 85% of the elctorate who don't show up to vote and allow the yahoos and special interests to take over Boards for their own benefit.
Just as an example - One local sports league pays some of its "volunteers" but refuses to pay to use the field that the schools pay to maintain. If that league paid its fair share, we could save a teaching position. BUT we need more Board members willing to fight to make that happen.
We need folks willing to fight and actually do something -- not just hold meetings, wave their arms around, and babble about "outside the box", "transparency", and "community involvement".
The very long answer to your very short and straight-forward question boils down to -- we need qualified people to get involved and take control of their own local government. Otherwise, we will continue to wander in circles and talk to ourselves.
I don't mean to come off as elitest, or as a snob, for suggesting that Board members actually be qualified for the position. I readily acknowledge that, given my lack of patience, and my fat ass, I would make a lousy soccer coach, or a terrible math teacher.
I don't think its unfair for others to be equally realistic about their abilities to direct a $30 million operation with 500 employees which will directly affect the futures of 3600 kids.
Forget professional skills and qualifications, how about finding folks for this Committee who are: willing to listen and learn, able to acknowledge their own mistakes and shortcomings, and able to not personalize every issue, question and activity?
The current Boards greatest failure is that somehow they think its all about them and they’ve forgotten that their proper role is to listen to and serve.
Bob,
I really think that identifying Mrs. Crossman as a 'swim coach' is a little misleading. Your intent is to suggest that she has no qualifications to review the school budget. However, the truth is that she had a lengthy career in business and qualifications that rival your own.
From Broadsider article before the election:
Crossman worked as an engineer and engineering manager for Verizon for 31 years before retiring. She says she will draw from her professional experience if elected to the school committee.
“I feel the time is right for me. My children have been in the school system for 11 years and I can use my professional budgetary experience to review the budget.”
I believe Mrs. Crossman was on the Board of the Community School for years.
Did she think it was a GOOD thing that the District paid some of the CS operating costs (to the detriment of regular ed)?
Did she think it was a GOOD thing that some pool costs were charged to overhead and allocated to other divisions? Well, it would be good if you were only concerned about the pool!
Was it a GOOD thing that the CS was paying bills and signing leases without approval -- despite being told by the Town's auditors they were breaking the law?
Was it a GOOD thing that some Community School programs ran at regular deficits and relied on charging users of other services to support them? (Why should parents paying for Drivers Ed be forced to fund the pool operation?)
After the auditor presented his preliminary findings last week -- she appeared surprised and needed more information. There was nothing in that audit report that I have not heard several times over the past three years. Was she not listening -- or did she just not understand it?
I also have huge problems with a Community School employee voting on Community School issues -- particularly when she earns income from the program which loses the most money.
I don't agree with Simmons on everything --- but I do think his inference was correct. As a financial manager, she makes a good swim coach.
She was never a titled officer (ie Assistant Vice President, Vice President, etc.) of the utility.
She was in fact “packaged” out early in a staffing and cost reduction exercise. “Retired” is the more polite descriptor or we could say she “chose to pursue other opportunities.”
I do not think she fairly characterized her professional experiences or work history as it relates to financial reporting, budgeting and accounting experience.
In addition, her lack of insight and comment on the Community School financials (on going and repeated losses) and audit results and her deafening silence on the projected $2.5 million dollar deficit as well as this year’s $500,000 Special Ed deficit evidences a stunning lack of financial sophistication.
On paper, Captain Smith was very well qualified to run the Titanic.
Regardless of her resume, Mrs. Crossmans' past performance, like Captain Smiths', leaves much to be desired.
Do you believe what you read in the paper? It also said Kangas would play well with others and linehan wqas interested in working for the benefit of the kids -- both lies!
whats the difference between the sandwich school system and the titanic??? The Titanic had deck chairs.
Titanic had a better band.
Titanic passengers knew their fate.
And, at least Titanic's crew warned their customers to the life rafts! Parents and children wont get the same consideration.
Ms. Linehan's husband is not a SEA Union leader. As a matter of fact he hold no elected position at all in the Union. Is he an outspoken member? Apparantly so. Does he lose his right to fre speech because some don't like what he's saying? Mrs. Cahill may not be amember but derives the full benefit of every contract negotiatied by the Union. Pretty goood deal, I'd say. No dues, all of the benefits. No worries about needing protection since her husband is on the SC. By the way, what are his amazing professional qualifcations? Playing it so close to the vest it's embarrasing. Perhaps he is the radio operator on the Titanic! Asleep at the switch? I don't mind civil disagreement but silence by an elected official on so many topics for so long is wrong.
Anon 10:59 sounds like an obvious Union Leader!
A -- Nobody needs to be elected to be a union "leader". If you ask many teachers -- any loud-mouthed bully can get that title. While Mr. Linehan certainly doesn't lose his right to free speech; Mrs. Linehan certainly should lose her right to feather their nest. Will she be voting on which of her husband's colleagues to eliminate?
B -- Mrs. Cahill has been a teacher for decades longer than Mr. Cahill has been on the School Committee. I've worked with her for years -- people who do their job don't NEED union protection !!
C -- Mr. Cahill is the one on the Committee with the education degree -- he's in schools across the Cape daily with drug & alcohol seminars. He's one of the few members who actually KNOWS what goes on in a school building. As any constituent who ever went to him with a concern (as I have several times) will attest ---- he does the job without fanfare or theatrics. There are no prizes for jumping in front of a train making pointless commentary.
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