Things I might ask myself…and the answers I’d find….…..if I cared.
Did the Community School Executive Counsel (including members Marshal and Crossman) suggest as recently as 4 years ago that the Community School was solvent, profitable, and was prepared to mortgage and build a new building? According to the record: Yes
Was the Community School actually solvent, profitable and likely able to repay a long-term mortgage on a new building? According to the record: No
Did the Community School Executive Counsel (including members Marshal and Crossman) suggest as recently as 4 years ago that the operations of Community School were well managed; which I took to mean operating consistent with state procurement laws and generally accepted accounting and financial reporting standards? According to the record: Yes
Were the operations of Community School well managed, meaning: operating consistent with state procurement and contracting law and generally accepted accounting standards? According to the record: No
Why didn’t the Community School Executive Counsel (including members Marshal and Crossman) act on the prior Community School Reports (aka "an agreed upon procedure") from the Town's audit firm? Why was that first report addressed only to the Community School Executive Counsel? Did anyone ever question if and why School employees were overseeing the Community School as members of Executive Counsel? What is a conflict of interest? Maybe if someone had acted on the accounting firm's earlier reports to the Community School, the recent Audit wouldn’t have been as shocking?
Did the Community School Executive Counsel (including members Marshal and Crossman) suggest as recently as 4 years ago that the operation of Community School Pool was not at a significant financial loss and was not being subsidized by other Community School businesses? According to the record: Yes
Were the operations of Community School pool causing a major financial loss and was that loss was subsidized by other Community School businesses? According to the record: Yes
Did the Community School Executive Counsel (including members Marshal and Crossman) know at least 4 years ago that the Community School Pool did not receive or pay utility and heat bills? According to the record: unclear
Apparently, while nobody at the Community School offices or on the Community School Executive Counsel ever saw or paid a pool-related utility or electric bill it wasn’t a red flag somewhere to someone.
Did the Community School Executive Counsel (including members Marshal and Crossman) ever receive written notice that the Community School’s purchase and contracting practices were not consistent with state law? According to the record: Yes
Funny that that notice was addressed only to the Community School Executive Counsel? Wonder where it went?
14 comments:
WHAT RECORDS ARE YOU REFERING TOO
I'm going to say the same thing I've said many times -- this is not a new problem. The Executive Counsel structure was established by a School Committee 30 years ago and was never modified to keep up with changes in the law.
(30 years ago, School Districts practically set their own tax bills -- the world has changed dramatically!!)
Instead of wasting time arguing whether or not something that is contrary to law is "illegal" or just "personal preference" -- or justifying why parents paying for Preschool SHOULD contribute to the pool, everyone would be a lot better off just making the changes necessary to bring the programs into compliance with current financial standards and practices.
Then, people could focus on preserving all of the benefits offered by the Community School programs.
I believe the "records" Mr.Guerin is referring (check your spelling) to are the reports delievered to the school committee, which he was a member of four years ago, and also statements released to the press by the Executive Counsel.
Santa, our childrens' wishes for Christmas is to have the TWO BOBS voted back onto the school board this May!
Santa,
Please focus on World Hunger, illiteracy, or even the heartbreak of psoriasis -- this Bob is more likely to show up at Town Meeting in a Pink Party dress than to rejoin the battle!!
But ... thanks for thinking of me !
I would,however, very much like to work to get the right people on the Committee next year. If you're interested, drop me an email.
Talk about Santa giving me a lump of “something” for Christmas! Really? A wish to be on the School Committee again? Somehow that red hot poker in the eye thing is seeming kinda nice instead…..
BOB WHO DECIDES WHAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE
Dear Bob--could you tell us which seats are up for election in May?
If you are asking who I think the "right people" to run for School Committee are, I would say these people would have:
A belief in the importance of public education
Some financial/managerial/business experience
No axe to grind
Some relevant community service experience
Some understanding of what they're talking about
No tie to a special interest group or union
A history of showing up to vote
No paycheck from the group they are supposed to be overseeing
I have no doubt, others can add to this definition of a good potential school committee member!
In 2011, it will be Susko & Marshall. In 2012, it will be Linehan, Killion & Cahill, followed by Kangas and Crossman again in 2013.
BOB I GUESS YOU DISAGREE WITH MY LAST COMMENT AS IT WASN'T PUBLISHED
Nope, I publish lots of things that I disagree with.
But I get bored reading nonsensical comments --especially when they are written in all caps.
I don't care who your mother is!
The fact no one is doing anything to address the Community School's negative managerial issues as reported in the audit, is unacceptable, irresponsible, and mind boggling. What a catch 22 where the Community School issues are concerned. Though they effect the entire Town's budget and represent poorly managed town resources, the power to analysis what needs to be done and take proactive steps is in the hands of the SC only at this point. The emotional needs to give way to the practical. Bottom line is what services do we need, or want and what can we afford.
I can certainly see why Dr. Johnson is afraid to make any more changes that upset the status quo. How much demonizing can one person take in public.
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