Conversation Starters ...

Part of the fun of being a "former" member of anything is that you only need to pay attention to issues that YOU want to follow -- you no longer represent anybody's interests except your own.  (I guess you could say the same thing about a few "current" members .... but I digress.)

So in the interests of  "been there, done that", I thought I would offer a few "conversation starters" in case any of our elected representatives, primarily on the School Committee, were feeling a little tongue-tied coming into the New Year.  In no particular order:

1.  This year the Superintendent decided to spend $500,000 in "extra" funds on iPads for all Freshmen & Sophomores without any School Committee discussion.  Is the District planning on purchasing iPads for next year's incoming freshmen?  What would be the funding source?

2.  How is this year's Budget holding out?  Is there a surplus projected for the last half of the year?  Are there any plans on how to allocate any "extra" budget dollars yet?

Ignore that Person Behind The Curtain !

This E-Mail was sent to all School Employees, Administrators & The School Committee by the District's Athletic Director:

From: martin cosgrove <cosgrovems@yahoo.com>

Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:46:02 -0800 (PST)

To: district@sandwich.k12.ma.us, schoolcommittee@sandwich.k12.ma.us, administration@sandwich.k12.ma.us\

Subject: chicken nuggets

When I stopped down to the cafeteria Monday morning for my morning coffee, there was a noticeable pall over what is usually a cheerful place. When I asked why, I was told a meeting took place the previous Friday, at which the ladies of the cafeteria were told of the district's plans to explore outsourcing the food service program.

Perfect timing for the holidays.

These workers' kids sit in front of us in our classrooms, play alongside our kids in Little League, sit next next to us in church. They are co-workers, neighbors and friends. They follow state and federal guidelines to ensure our students receive a well-balanced nutritious meal. They feed kids when they forget their money or when they say they forgot their money, when they can't afford to eat. They root for our kids on the athletic fields and make sure classroom food projects are perfect when served. Most are working to provide their families with health insurance. They don't earn much, but they work real hard. Most have to work a second job, but they are proud of the job they do for the Sandwich Public School System. They ask how we are feeling after being out. They ask how our children are doing when they graduate from our school system. 

LET MY PEOPLE GO .... so they can vote on the Damn PSC!

OK, I'm reaching here ...

There has been an unprecedented public outreach effort by the Town in support of a new $30 million Public Safety Complex. There have been tours, multiple presentations, public events, and a website (See www.SandwichPublicSafety.com ). There has even been people stationed at the soccer field to discuss & explain the issue with that most elusive voter -- the soccer parents!

There has been such a huge outreach effort that, if there was in fact an Override question pending, the information campaign probably would have crossed that fine line which prohibits the use of public resources to campaign for an Override. I'm not going to press the issue -- but can you imagine what would happen if the School Department used Town resources to advocate for an Override? (Actually, I remember what DID happen!)

Nobody can question if the public has had the opportunity to be informed on the issue.

I think we have now reached that equivalent point at Town Meeting where everything has been said multiple times and nothing new is being added to the conversation.

Let's Find our 20-20 Vision (By Jim Pierce)

The following opinion piece was written by Jim Pierce in February of 2011. A more recent Long Range Capital Plan incorporating many similar ideas, but improving on others, was presented to the Board of Selectmen on Nov. 29, 2012 (See Draft Copy here). Related background information is also available through Sandwich Community Television. 

The 2012 update to the Long Range Plan is available here.

During the week of February 14 (2011) the final piece in a giant puzzle was placed face up on the table for the selectmen and school committee. Now all those pieces have to be assembled into a Capital Asset Plan for Sandwich. 

Cost estimates were presented for making the Wing complex serviceable as a school long term. There are basically three alternatives. The complex can be renovated for $30 million. New construction coupled with renovation would cost $40 million. A whole new school can be built for $50 million. The consultant, who did an excellent job, also pointed out that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) will reimburse about half the cost. The estimates were escalated because construction cannot begin until 2014.

If one of these paths is followed, the voters of Sandwich will be asked to borrow between $15-25 million to have a fourth school building in place in time for the 2015-2016 school year. The problem is, at least as I see it, Sandwich will not need four school buildings. The voters may have good reason to want a fourth school building. That is distinct from needing one.

The school enrollment as of October 1, 2010 was just over 3400. That is down 800 from the peak in 2002. The classes in the high school today average about 260. The entering kindergarten classes over the next four years, based on 2010 census data, will average about 210. Each of the next four years about 260 students will graduate while 210 are entering kindergarten. Consequently, enrollment goes down 50 students per year. 

A sign from God?

The local fishwrapper reported today that the new chain link fence surrounding Sandwich High School is to protect people entering or exiting the building from being killed by falling pieces of concrete. According to the wrapper, a piece of concrete "measuring five feet long and weighing several hundred pound, fell from a third-story window." shortly after the Special Town Meeting adjourned on October 22.

Does anybody see a warranty/liability issue when a "several hundred pound" piece of concrete falls off of a 13 year old building?

Maybe this was a Sign From God about the quality of the Town's dedication to deferred maintenance?  (Or at least the advisability of accepting the lowest bid for construction jobs!)

No word on repair costs, or on the extent of the problem.  An engineering firm has been hired to assess the problem and hire a construction firm to do the (as yet undermined) repairs.

Tweet

If it's good enough for The Pope ...

The Pope also got a Twitter account this week
(This is NOT Frank Pannorfi !)

Follow @notthepta 

This week we've also begun cross-posting articles on Twitter (see @NotThePTA on www.twitter.com )  -- If it's good enough for The Pope, it's good enough for me!

NotThePTA.org hit a milestone last month when the quarterly advertising revenue hit 5 digits.  OK, 2 of them were on the right side of the decimal point --- but why get technical!  Keep clicking those annoying damn ads!  (Please?)

IF he ever decides to include advertising, what do you suppose the Pope's revenue would look like ?

Follow @notthepta

The Tale of the Tape

Overlooking all the chest-thumping and finger pointing that will begin to ramp up with the coming Budget Season -- here's a relatively straight-forward look at a serious budgetary indicator -- the amount the Town is paying to send Sandwich students to other public schools.

According to the Cherry Sheets, over the past five years that net expense has increased from almost  $600,000 to almost $1,500,000 after State reimbursements.

You certainly can't fault the Charter Schools -- they are providing a product that people want.  And, they have the luxury of being able to do it without the constraints of dealing with union nonsense, or without the requirement of offering multiple academic programs.  If you want the curriculum they offer, feel free to apply -- otherwise, go elsewhere.  They also have the benefit of motivated students and parents.   It takes effort to apply to a Charter School and it takes motivation to travel long distances each day to a school building with limited facilities and limited extra-curricular options.  Charters aren't for everyone - but those that choose to attend generally do well academically.

The Big Picture

 Chairman,CAVE
 (Citizens Against Virtually Everything!)

I would hate to be branded a member of CAVE -- I have long supported a new public safety building to replace the undersized, decrepit facilities now in use.   But I can very easily see both sides on this one -- I can even argue this issue with myself:

Will the Building make us safer?  Well, it will probably decrease Fire/EMS response times to somebody's house -- but not mine..  

Is it necessary?   There seems to be a growing trend towards building huge municipal edifices over the past decade.  I know it has been said that the buildings are being built to some sort of new industry standard or accreditation yardstick.  I would think a more important yardstick would be the number of  "Boots on the Ground".  People put out fires, rescue people, and capture Bad Guys -- Buildings don't.  But, Buildings do provide healthy work environments that may allow people to do their jobs more efficiently as well as provide facilities for the continue training of people.  Buildings also make a good place to store equipment in a manner that will make it last longer and/or work better (and provide a secure place to store Bad Guys until they can be given to somebody else).

Is it the right time?  It's never the right time for anything   Our local infrastructure is falling apart because nobody has agreed to spend anything on Town Buildings for decades.  The Great Local Wizards of Yore saw Commercial Development as the Work of the Devil.  They went out of their way to block commercial development -- which shifted a huge portion of the tax burden onto homeowners.  And, then they started selling their land to new home owners who increasingly needed new expensive services -- like schools, police & fire protection.

A Municipal Translation Guide

I recently read an amusing article about meaningless words and phrases that should be removed from everyone's vocabulary.  It contained the usual suspects -- "like",  "literally", "changing paradigm", "outside the box", etc.

It made me think of a newer variation -- "Meaningless Words and Phrases That Could be Eliminated From Local Government Discussions."  But, knowing how unyielding the local vernacular is to modification of any sort, I , instead, offer the following translation/response guide.

1)  "Transparent" -- Buzzword #1 -- nothing could be bad if it is described as "transparent"!  Generally used to criticize somebody else's work -- even though the speaker would probably do nothing different if given the opportunity.

2)  "Seek Community Input"  -- The speaker is seeking to avoid making a decision for which they could be criticized.  This allows blame to be spread around based on the public opinion they will receive from the 7 people paying attention to that particular issue.

(First Rule of Thumb for Government Speaking -- When in doubt, repeat the phrases "Transparent" and "Community Input" as many times as possible!)

3)  "People have expressed concern" -- Very similar to #1, except the speaker is unwilling to say that it is either their own opinion because nobody else was paying attention to the issue, or nobody was willing to be publicly associated with their own opinion.

4A)  "It's a Process" -- A meaningless phrase used when the speaker doesn't have a constructive idea; or just wants more camera time.  We need to spend less time discussing process, and more time discussing progress.

4B)  "Evolve" -- Nothing has happened yet, we're not sure what will happen in the future either.

5) "Think outside the box" -- Speaker really has no idea what to say; but doesn't want to admit it.  (I would say that Speaker should be put inside a box -- except that somebody is liable to interpret that as a threat and pressure the local constabulary to investigate a potential domestic terrorism risk.)

6)  "Uncharted territory" --- I got no F'n idea what's going to happen!

7)  "Deferred maintenance"  -- Something we know we should have done previously -- but are now pretending to be surprised that we hadn't done previously (related to the Ben Franklin quote -- "a stitch in time saves nine")

Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot!

OK, The Accountant beat The Tree Warden for State Rep., that's a Good Thing.   And, on the State Senate side, as much as we all love to hate Beacon Hill and its inhabitants, who wants to wait the decade before somebody stops using "who is" in front of your State Senator's name?  If you need the State's attention, do you want to be represented by a freshmen Senator from the Minority Party, or The Boss -- Pragmatism wins!

But what happened to el Presidente ?  Is anybody better off than they were a few years ago?  My obvious bias would be to support a corporate restructuring guy over a "Community Activist" -- since (a) the Country obviously needs some restructuring and (b) who really likes "Community Activists"?.  I think its  time for the Grand Old Party to start reeling their right wing in a little ... lest it break off entirely!

And, does anybody feel they will be better represented by the left wing Professor from Oklahoma (even worse than a "wash ashore!") who scammed the system by lying about her heritage?    Didn't a couple of Boston Firemen try that a decade ago? Was anybody else amused by her rant about the Government needing to "do something"about the cost of higher education?  Perhaps they should crack-down on overpaid Professors !   Was it me, or did she seem incapable of answering any questions without repeating mouth loads of "sincere" rhetoric -- that had nothing to do with the question asked? 

Speaking as a guy who has taken several dogs, cats, rabbits, and  a guinea pig for their final car ride (and who watched both his parents die miserable deaths), I was surprised that voters weren't willing to allow terminally ill patients the same merciful treatment we allow our pets.  I would be willing to bet there were a lot of folks who were incapable of travelling to the polls yesterday who may have felt differently on the issue.  Well, I am sure somebody's guilt was eased by the fact that they were able to prolong an "existence" -- maybe they made themselves feel better?

But, then again, it looks like we'll have some medical marijuana to play with while we're all waiting to check out!

The voters have spoken.  And, as the old saying goes, "the only thing worse than Democracy, is Not Having Democracy!"

Not that my Opinion matters ...

I am under no illusion that my endorsement is worth more than a "warm pitcher of spit". In fact, because of my very strong (and unapologetic) views on certain issues, some (including members of my immediate family!) may occasionally prefer I sit quietly.  But, hey, I'm not sensitive!

There was an amusing Letter to the Editor in the CCT recently endorsing the Town's former Tree Warden to be our next State Representative.  The writer said we needed an "energetic" representative who wasn't "out of touch" with his constituents.

Right criteria  -- but he tried to apply them to the wrong candidate!  

"Out of touch" certainly describes most of the denizens of Beacon Hill -- including the Governor, his friend in Washington, and the law professor/Indian princess from Cambridge/Oklahoma!

But it doesn't apply to  Randy Hunt.

Even if I haven't agreed with Randy on every issue over the years, I have never questioned that his actions were sincere and well-researched.  Even overlooking his record of constituent service -- every email or phone call responded to quickly and personally -- dealing with a wide variety of individuals and small business owners is the lifeblood of his public accounting practice.  You can't be more "in touch" with people than when you sit down with them at the end of the year to review what they worked hard to earn, and what  the government will be taking away from them -- in many cases to give to those who didn't work very hard.

Randy is certainly accessible and he definitely communicates regularly with his constituents.  I heard he even writes a blog to share his opinions and observations --- actually, I heard he writes "the nice blog".  (Who writes the other one?)

And, as far as "energetic", obviously that letter writer never saw the campaign-o-cycle!

Please vote Tuesday.

The Power of Marketing ! (From Anonymous Contributor)

Occasionally, I receive pieces written by folks who may have an opinion on an issue, but may also personal or professional reasons for not raising their objections publicly -- hence the "Anonymous Contributor" label.

Truth in Advertising?

Behold! The mighty power of marketing (and power)!

Anyone besides me noticing the all court, full time marketing blitz being conducted by town employees and others to justify the new public safety building? 

Town employees have even gone so far as to set up tents on Saturday mornings at the Wing School soccer fields to distribute glossy public safety building brochures that attempt to justify and explain the building to otherwise occupied soccer moms and dads. 

Setting aside the important question of whether a new public safety building is needed and justifiable; isn't this and related activity a political campaign for a tax increase? 

Aren't there laws governing election campaigning? Isn't this group of town employees and volunteers actually operating an unregistered Political Action Committee (a PAC)? Since when can the town and town employees conduct a political campaign funded by of all people us taxpayers? Who else but us taxpayers paid for the brochures and architectural drawings?

Where’s the ire?

Where’s the outrage? Where are our town officials? Where’s Taylor White – aka Mr. Open Meeting Law? Where are the police? Oh, that’s right – they’re all running the campaign. 

The Hostage Crisis Continues

From the Sandwich Broadsider:

Sandwich historical group seeks Clark-Haddad Hall curator-ship

"...The Sandwich Historical Commission in this regard is working on the idea of creating a curator-ship for the building, involving somebody or a group who would move in and take up occupancy.

Commission member Lisa Hassler, a realty agent and historical preservation enthusiast who lives in the Clark-Haddad neighborhood is spearheading that effort. 

The commission has talked with neighbors. Commission chairman Terry Blake says the neighbors don’t want Clark-Haddad to be sold. They prefer preservation and occupancy...."  (Click here for Full Story)

Several years ago, a former School Committee acknowledged the obvious when they voted to move the School Administration Offices out of its decrepit Dewey Ave location and into the High School Building.  This certainly seemed logical -- the move increased operational efficiency and decreased maintenance costs.  It was also assumed that once the building was declared surplus and sold it would increase municipal cash flow -- money that could be used to reduce some of the other capital needs facing the Town.

Not that easy.

STEM (Part 2)

School Picture Day?

In addition to concerns about the way the STEM concept is being "sold" to parents & taxpayers (see Part 1), I have a few more specific thoughts after watching much of last week's School Committee meeting.

Safety -- The loudest recurring theme coming out of this meeting seemed to be the safety of the incoming 7th & 8th graders.  Ironically, it seems many folks are less concerned about adult strangers off the street wandering around the pool area than they are about allowing 12 year-olds in the same building with 17 year-olds.  To hear some parents talk, you would swear that SHS is marketing hash pipes and maternity clothes with the Blue Knights logo.  We do need to hear a the plan for limiting interaction between the 7th & 8th graders and the "general population" -- but it's probably not a deal breaker for me.

STEM (Part 1)

From the Sandwich Enterprise: "In response to the concerns expressed by many parents, Superintendent C. Richard Canfield announced that he has utilized "left-over" FY '12 maintenance funds to purchase 450 Big Plastic Bubbles to protect 7th & 8th graders if they move to the High School next year.  As their contribution to the transition effort, the combined PTA's of the Wing, Forestdale, and Oakridge Schools purchased 448 "My Child is Gifted & Talented" bumper stickers to be affixed to the plastic bubbles.  It is unknown which 2 of the new bubbles would NOT be receiving a "Gifted & Talented" sticker -- although a spokesperson for the Wing PTA assured reporters that none of the "non-G&T" students attended The Wing."

(OK, that wasn't really in The Emptyprize, but given their typical loose grasp on reality...)

Parents' Expectation Letter

I've seen a dramatic increase in letters from teachers this year requiring parents to sign off and acknowledge each teachers expectations for students behavior/performance, etc.

As my children have prohibited me from returning said letters to each teacher with my own list of "expectations" attached, I am going to attach it here.

Dear Teacher,

Thank you for your recent letter outlining the expectations you have of my child, and (presumably) myself.

I assure you, my child will be expected to behave in your classroom, and complete his/her assignments on time and in an appropriate manner.  My child is also expected to treat you, your colleagues,  and his/her classmates with appropriate respect at all times.

If you ever find that not to be the case, please let me know and his/her attitude will be adjusted accordingly.  I do not make excuses for my child's behavior or performance.

In return, as a parent and taxpayer, I expect the following of you and the School Administration:

• You will use classroom time to teach.  I have no problem helping with homework.  But, I do not expect to be teaching original material at night.  I have been on the Earth for a half century (OMG!) and I spent 17 years in School, but unless we're talking Finance, Accounting, Computer Science, or Business Management, I will probably not teach your subject as well as you do.

Legalus Pissing Contestus

My Latin is rusty, but I believe the above phrase describes exactly what we are now witnessing in the case of Johnson vs. Sandwich School Committee, Marshall, Crossman, Kangas and Linehan.

While most of the general public has moved on to iPads, STEM, and other pressing issues (soccer, Pop Warner, and North Face jackets), the Johnson case continues to wind its way slowly through the justice system.  The most recent report is that the "Discovery" phase of the case is expected to run through March 15 of next year.  So far, the State Appeals Court & the State Supreme Court have "discovered" that there was a valid contract and that nobody made a proper effort to void it.  

I'm not sure what's left ..... other than running up the legal bills and continuing to delay accepting responsibility for the "real" decision -- who wants to be in the room when its time to approve a settlement?  

Without talking to anybody, if I was a fly on the wall, this is what I bet i would hear:

From the School Committee:  "We have no money.  She's a Town employee, the BOS needs to fund a settlement."

From the BOS:   "The School Committee caused this when they didn't bother going to court to void the contract.  We warned them they were being irresponsible, but they did it anyway.  We know that two of the four culprits aren't on the Committee anymore -- but, Screw them!"

From FinCom: "The Schools would have had the money to settle this lawsuit if they hadn't gone on their year-end shopping spree.  We like the Superintendent, but he left his Committee hanging in the breeze with their pants down on this issue.  The Committee should have discussed year-end spending including a litigation reserve -- not just allow this hot potato to get dumped back on the Town."

From Kangas:  "We need to stop kids from leaving the District, regardless of what it costs ... What?  That wasn't what you asked? Oh, What was the question again?"

From Crossman:  "We were thinking about maybe having a meeting to talk about forming a subcommittee to maybe have a fundraiser for the pool maybe, um, someday ......."

From 93% of the Electorate:  "When does soccer practice start?"

The Blind Leading the ...

There was in interesting (but relatively benign) article in the CCT about recent School Spending.  The humorous part of the article was the reference to the School Committee's "Finance Sub-committee".  If you watch the meeting tape, it was one of the two "Finance Sub-committee" members that announced on-camera that "if anybody had questions, the School Business Manager could answer them".  

(Past School Committees have purposely NOT formed Finance Sub Committees because it was widely felt that EVERY School Committee Member is responsible for understanding the budget -- as well as the payment requests they are required to review and approve each week.  Financial oversight of public funds was always considered an obligation of every member.  The idea that this responsibility has been delegated to the two people with probably the least amount of financial experience of anybody on the Committee  is even more unsettling.)

"Legal" vs "Right" (By Bob Guerin)

I think we can all agree that investing in our schools is important.

But, we must also agree that Town and taxpayer resources are not limitless. Anyone on this blog prepared to argue that taxes are too low and we should raise them?


If we are to invest in our schools then we taxpayers and parents need to understand how much money we have and where money is going, right? Seems pretty basic.


Isn’t this debate really a question about why the Administration left the School Committee and public out of some major spending decisions?


Why not have held public hearings in front of the cameras, explaining that a surplus existed, identifying new spending priorities and justifying the changes to the town meeting authorized budget, seeking public comment and input and then executing the spending plan?


Wouldn’t THAT have been transparent? Wouldn’t that have been participatory? Wouldn’t that have been the right thing to do? That’s certainly how the process worked when the schools bought the PC labs and the teacher’s laptops, authorized money for fields, added sports programs, created new staffing positions, and on and on.

The Invisible Watch Dogs

The Invisible "Budget Watch Dog"  --- The only "transparent" part of the School Budget !

I like the idea of kids using iPads.  

One of my kids is getting an SHS iPad.  My wife and I both carry iPads.  I also carry a laptop, and a smartphone.  I usually have 4 Computers running on my desk, and I supervise several networks with almost 200 computers of various flavors.    I will admit to being a Computer Geek.

I see computers as an essential tool that should be an integral part of  education -- not something that is locked away in a computer lab to be visited once or twice a week.  I think its a great idea that kids are expected to take the iPads home and "live with them".  That's the best way to learn ---- when nobody is staring at you, or distracting you.  Professionally, when I am training employees who have never used a computer, I always encourage them to take a portable machine home with them and play with it --- do whatever they want to get comfortable with it, and then come back and see me about any problems they may encounter.  Limiting what a user can do or access on a machine also limits what they can learn and may limit their enthusiasm to learn more.  (That being said, I absolutely despise Facebook!  -- but that's another story.  No, I won't be your friend!!)

I also think the SHS Tech staff has done a good job orientating a lot of students (and their parents!) on the care and use of their  new "tools".  Their professionalism and enthusiasm is infective and will be a major factor in success of this program.  Their efforts are even more exemplary given the machines' "sudden" arrival.

The "sudden" arrival is the problem.

I can't comprehend how such a major technology initiative could be implemented with no public discussion, and apparently no School Committee involvement.  

The obvious question (which still hasn't been answered) is how did we "find" $250,000 at the same time we eliminated bus fees, bought bleachers, and returned an undetermined amount of money to the Town's General Fund?   Particularly when just 3 months earlier, this same group had been pleading with the BOS and FinCom for more money?

I assume they must have also pre-bought some of their FY '13 supplies, and prepaid some of their FY '13 SPED tuitions.

Is there any money put aside for potential legal settlements -- or are we burning Atlanta to eliminate resources for opposing forces?

How much extra money was actually out there?

Why hasn't the School Committee asked those questions?   Why has there been no budget discussion of any sort yet? Why has the Committee not taken any recent votes to transfer money between buget lines?  Unlike other Town Depts, the School Committee is allowed to transfer money between budget lines without further  approval (a legal right which I have always supported).  BUT...  they do need to publically discuss and vote on transfers -- presumably BEFORE the money is spent!

What has happened to the self-proclaimed "Budget Watchdogs" ?  What about all of that babbling we heard about transparency?   

What about next year?  Deservedly or not, the School Department's budget credibility has always been on thin ice.  After this budgetary Mardi Gras, not even our new million fire boat (for which we have no additional local funding for staffing or maintenance) will be able to rescue them!

A new Rescue Boat .... for the Community Pool?

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime ? (by Bob Guerin)

Surplus?  Deficit?  Guess the cup and win a Free iPad !!

Imagine your brother coming to you and asking for money.

What for? - you ask.

He says: “new house.”

Setting aside the very obvious question of do you have the money to spend.

Might you want to know: where he’s building? What he’s building? Might you not want to see a written plan? Wouldn’t you ask about less expensive options? Wouldn’t you want to see those plans too? I’d bet there would be lots of detailed discussion and conversation. 

How Dr. Canfield continues to get away with publically touting $10, $15 and $40 million dollar school spending projects without presenting a lick of detail, a single written page of plan or a demand for the details from the silent and disengaged school committee is beyond me. 

Nobody would accept “I’ll get you the details to you later” from a brother asking for a sizable loan – why is it that Dr. Canfield seems to be skating by with the very same response to spending plans of more than $15 million? Or, maybe the School Committee is still busy trying to figure out how, when and why Dr, Canfield purchased the iPads? 

Unbelievable.

The Buck is passed ...

And, the dance continues ...

This isn't necessarily a complaint, or a criticism, just an observation.

After years of trying to deny there was any issue with the Community School Pool, the School Department finally acknowledged there were obvious issues with both the pool losing money and with strangers wandering the allegedly "secured" halls of SHS.  

The new official mantra has become "The Pool is a COMMUNITY asset, and the COMMUNITY must  be willing to pay for it."

I don't disagree.

It's amusing that the Rec Dept, which has been collecting money for their free use of school-funded facilities, wants nothing to do with operating the pool.  It's also interesting that the "nearest" pool with a diving board is on Nantucket.  Apparently, no other local District feels that a Diving team is worth the expense of building/renting a pool.   

The Superintendent made it clear that he is expecting a Community contribution if the pool is to remain open.   But, he also left a little "wiggle room" with the idea that the pool might also become incorporated into school phys ed classes (which could justify the school paying more of the costs).

Not unreasonable.

If the school actually uses the pool, it could justify absorbing more costs.  My biggest gripe has always been the fact that the School District pays a hugely disproportionate portion of pool costs -- while the Community School received all pool revenue.

Of course, no meeting could go by without at least a couple of inane comments.  Pool Employee Crossman said something about the School Dept. paying "only $5,000 towards the swim team's use of the pool".    Well, duh!  The School District was also paying the pool's entire utility bill!

Her second comment was something about the reason Town Meeting  had set up Community School / Pool operations the way they had -- and that "somebody" should look at why it was set-up that way.  Good thinking.  We've been discussing this for 5 years --- is this the first time THAT idea occurred?

To save "somebody" some time --  There are probably two reasons for the current structure.  State law says the School Committee is responsible for school facilities.  And, in "the good old days" (pre-Prop 2 1/2). Schools could write their own budgets.  It would then be up to Town to raise the taxes as needed to cover the School Committee's budget.  (It was easy being on the School Committee back then!)

By putting the pool in a school building, the Town ensured that property taxes would cover pool costs.

Then, the world changed.  After Prop 2 1/2, School Budgets became subject to local control and the free ride ended.  Since then,  the increasingly tight school budget has been complicated by the increasing costs of operating an aging swimming pool.

I would have thought a School Committee member (and former Community School Council member) would have understood that.

There is another interesting wrinkle in the effort to build support for Town funding of Pool operations.   After a long, but unsuccessful, battle  for additional FY '13 funding, the Schools used "left over" FY '12 money to buy 450 +/- unbudgeted iPads, unbudgeted new portable bleachers, eliminate the budgeted transportation fees, and give an undetermined amount of money back to the Town.  They did not use the "found" money to fund FY '13 SPED tuitions -- which would have eliminated their earlier projected "deficit".

I wonder if the BOS & FinCom members that supported the School's request for extra funding will continue to be as supportive ?


Nitpicking aside, I can see the Pool issue getting kicked all the way to Town Meeting.  Every person along the way can say how important the pool is -- and then when it comes time to actually vote the funding at Town Meeting, 32 elderly pool supporters will show up, nobody else will bother to argue with them, and the article will pass.  No Bad Guys voting to shut the Pool.  Everybody wins!

Or, maybe they can do a package deal -- surrender the Wing School to the Town; as long as they take the Pool too!

Court Rejects School Committee's Appeal of Johnson case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rejected the School Committee's appeal of the ruling by the State Appeals Court in the Mary Ellen Johnson case.

Bottom line:  As expected, she has a valid contract.  Even IF there was an Open Meeting Law violation (which has not been proven), the School Committee did not follow statute in their efforts to invalidate the contract.

http://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/display_docket.php?dno=FAR-20917

I smell a very expensive settlement coming down the road.....

It's too bad the District just spent all of their "left over" budget money on iPads, Bleachers, Bus fees, etc. !!

Quote of the Week .... (Anonymous)

"I like the new Superintendent, but 

it's amusing to see the self declared

"Budget Watch Dogs" now humping his leg!" 

Anybody out there?

A Task Force is being formed to determine
the feasibility of wrapping all Town
residents & guests in Bubble Wrap

Just to re-count our most recent local accomplishments:

On the Town side:

1)  Banned Water Guns from July 4th Parade - Water guns don't soak people, People soak people!

2)  Banned non-employees, including firefighters' families, from riding fire trucks in July 4 Parade

3)  Effectively eliminated fire trucks from July 4 Parade (see #2)

4) Discussed banning Bridge-Jumping (Scorton -- not Sagamore!)

5)  Appointed 28 people to a substance abuse task force.  Given  the amount of pointless self-serving pontification which occurs on the most benign topic during a meeting of the 5 member BOS; I can not imagine what will happen if 28 people try to discuss an important topic.  Maybe we should alert Cape Wind and try to tap the hot air?  (I hope they don't cause MORE substance abuse by those attending the meetings!)

On the School side:

1)  Eliminated Cupcakes in School -- this would be easier to swallow (nyuk, nyuk!) if it was "spun" as a way to decrease the amount of school time wasted on non-educational activities -- like Disney Movies, irrelevant field trips, etc.  The idea that the School District feels a need to save kids from their parents is disturbing.  On the other hand, there are some legitimate food allergy issues .... (ie. Blame the wasted time ---- don't blame the allergic kids!)

2)  Admitted that the School District will be unable to continue supporting  The Community School Pool.  This is a "two-fer" -- (A) they are admitting they HAVE been supporting it and (B) they are admitting they are unable to continue to support it.  (Where have I been hearing that  for the past several years?) 

3)  Admitted that there is a security risk having unknown Community School patrons off the street roaming around the building during the day -- not to mention roaming naked in the locker rooms with the kids.  The funny thing is that NOW there is discussion of the last NEASC accreditation that complained about this problem 10 years ago.  Yet, long-time School Committee / Community School Council members not only ignored the recommendations 10 years ago -- they have continued to vehemently deny there even WAS an issue for the past 4 years!  Where's that angry lynch mob that pursued those that spoke out in favor of improved pool security a few years ago?

4)  Filed for the legal equivalent of a "Hail Mary Pass" by asking for an SJC review of a very definitive ruling by three very experienced Justices of the State Appeals Court that overturned a flawed ruling by a single Barnstable County Judge with almost 30 days experience on the bench.  If nothing else, its a good attempt to run the clock down and probably push an unpopular settlement discussion into next year -- when the two remaining members that caused the problem will have probably disappeared back into anonymity.

5)  Settled the Teachers' contract after almost 3 years of very contentious discussion.  The amusing thing is that the union could have had a better deal if they had settled three years ago.  But, then they would have lost the opportunity to really piss off a lot of people - and generally maximize ill will towards the School Department and all of its employees.  On the Bright Side, the new contract now allows the union to collect an Agency fee from EVERY teacher -- even those unwilling to join the union.  Maybe some of these new "non-union" union members will now be willing to step up and take control of this train wreck.

6)  The District has announced that ALL SHS freshmen & sophomores will be issued free iPad computers.  This is a GREAT development!   It would be even greater if the School Committee understood (A) how they were being paid for or (B) how they would be used.  Assuming 500 units at a discounted price of $300 each, that's $150,000 that was "invested" with absolutely no public discussion or explanation.  There was never a vote to either transfer funds between budget lines -- or approve any leases.  Were there even any bids?  If they have to vote to accept bids for cafeteria supplies, why weren't there any bids for $150,000 worth of computers?  Why has there been no publicity?  If we have to keep hearing that adding a Girl's Volleyball Team will help student retention -- why aren't we hearing that we're giving away 500 Apple iPads?  THAT should help student retention!
------UPDATE:  THE CCT REPORTS 450 MACHINES WERE BOUGHT AT $550 EACH -- TOTAL COST = $247,500.  

7)  After months of hand-wringing and moaning during the last budget season (just 4 months ago), The District has managed to eliminate Bus Fees, buy maybe $150,000 worth of new computers (just a guesstimate), and make an unbudgeted purchase of new portable bleachers.  There's also discussion of a "give back" of unused Budget funds to the Town.  The law allows excess funds to be used to prepay SPED tuitions for the coming year -- something that was always done (until last year).  If the FY '13 budget is going to be tight, wouldn't it make sense to roll forward as much money as possible from FY '12?

Don't get me wrong.  I think Dr. Canfield is doing a good job -- his political talent and skills have wrapped him in Kevlar, Teflon & Bubble Wrap.  I hope he will now utilize his magical powers to start re-focusing his troops and remind them that The District is being run by the Superintendent -- not the SEA.  (It's distressing seeing certain Committee members almost swoon at his feet when those same members almost lynched his predecessor for saying the same thing!)

Of course, it would be nice if the School Committee tuned in to the process -- maybe ask some questions occasionally?

Swimming With Alligators - The Community School Pool (7/19/2010)

I've been seeing a lot of revisionist history lately --- some folks are asking the same questions that were asked and answered many times previously. I want to make the record very clear -- but, rather than wasting more time, I am rerunning the below post which was made almost exactly two years ago -- in July of 2010!

It's ironic that we are having the exact same discussion two years later!

I am not a big fan of crowds or chlorine, but I do enjoy water. I’ve been know to splash around in a pool – although never in any strenuous, or organized fashion. I would much prefer to hang on the side, sip an adult beverage and contemplate humanity as we know it – and, of course, soak up a few rays.

This laid back outlook is a far cry from the position exhibited by the very vocal supporters of the Sandwich Community School Pool.

This conflict raised its ugly head when a review of the Community School financial statements showed that several operating expenses of the pool were actually being paid by the high school or other Community School programs -- hardly the end of the Earth, but not great business either. The responses I received from most “Pool People” were either (a) No, they’re not or (b) So, what if they are?

The problem was that nobody seemed to know exactly WHAT it cost to operate the pool. This is an important distinction because the revenue generated by the pool needs to be matched against the cost of operating the pool. The simple concept that I tried to sell was: “If the pool costs more than it collects, it is losing money”.

If the pool is losing money, it means somebody else is paying the bills – either the patrons of other Community School programs or, the taxpayers who are paying to operate the high school building. While this idea didn’t bother the Pool People – it did bother many taxpayers and many other Community School customers who were already paying their own bills, and didn’t feel like chipping in to subsidize the cost of somebody else’s dip in the pool.

Kissing the Third Rail -- A Blast From the Past (July 27, 2010)

If discussing the Community Pool is similar to swimming with Alligators, dealing with the Community School itself is not unlike kissing the third rail. (for those NOT from Dorchester – google “MBTA and electrocution”)

I need to stress that the Community School is a great concept – it encourages full utilization of some of the Town’s biggest assets (its school buildings) which would otherwise sit empty after 4 PM most days. It also provides lifelong learning opportunities for residents of Sandwich and surrounding towns to take courses in whatever subject may interest them. It is a terrific program and I have yet to meet anybody who did not want to see it succeed and prosper well into the future.

NOBODY wants to shut down the Community School!

One More time -- NOBODY wants to shut down the Community School!

This program has the potential for being a very cost-effective method of providing the service – the facilities are already there – the only issue should be how much EXTRA does it cost the School District to allow the public to use the building for the additional time?

Specifically:

• Cleaning costs - janitorial labor & cleaning supplies

• Utility costs - heating and lighting the building in the evening

• Other costs - off-hours snow & ice removal, additional security

• Administrative costs – additional labor to operate programs

• Program-specific costs – The Pool, computers, Drivers Ed sub-contractor, etc.

Stating the obvious ...... Finally!

I have no doubt that Dr. Canfield realized the depth of the pool problem (no pun intended) long ago.

BUT, the shrewd politician that he is, I also have no doubt that he saw what happened to his predecessor who was practically drawn and quartered for supporting a prior School Committee's efforts to bring financial accountability to the Community School.

As we have seen over and over, if you cut reading, writing, or arithmetic, people might quietly bitch among themselves, but generally the only public outcry is a stifled yawn.

But, if you propose any changes which may impact Pool Users, The Community School, Sandwich Youth Soccer, or any other private group which benefits from the use of publicly-maintained facilities -- God help you, you mean-spirited SOB!

Meeting rooms would immediately fill with uninformed elderly swimmers and equally uninformed angry sports parents. Nobody cared that Sandwich tax dollars were being diverted from the K-12 education budget to support the entertainment of a small group of people (many of whom did not even live in Sandwich).

The Angry Crowd would just storm in, have their tantrum, and then storm out. Nobody bothered to stay for the part of the meeting where the budget cuts were discussed -- they only heard that they might be asked to pay for the extra services that other taxpayers had been providing to them for free.

Unfortunately, nobody ever speaks out against the Angry Crowd. The few School Committee members that have spoken out either got fed up and left, or were targeted to be replaced by inexperienced, unprofessional, drones whose sole purpose was to represent the special interests of their supporters, and seek vengeance for any perceived effort to change the status quo.

Canfield is no fool.

He installed new management at the Community School, and waited until folks got comfortable, --- and then he raised the issue that has been obvious to the (maybe) 6 people who have paid any attention.

He has even been framing it nicely --- the pool is a wonderful asset to the entire community. But, if the Town's taxpayers want to continue to provide this benefit, than they will have to vote the funds to pay for it. The School Department will no longer redirect dollars from the K-12 education budget to subsidize pool operations.

And, by the way, no more Community School people wandering around the building during the day

The last time this public access issue was raised, there was a public outcry against the former Superintendent and some School Committee members. We could spend thousands on Building security -- but for $50 you could buy a pool pass and wander around the locker room naked with the high school kids. "The Hell with security --- "SHE" won't let people in the building!"

This time, the silence is deafening. Maybe because the Emptyprize "forgot" to put these items in their story last week? Where's the bitchy editorials, the interviews with the usual suspects, and the one-sided, half-assed stories which seem to have been written before meetings even happen?

It seems allowing strangers to wander around the school (even with their clothes on) is frowned upon by the group that handles high school accreditation. Gee, could they have the same concerns about school safety that the prior Superintendent and School Committee members had raised?

I like the Groundhogs Day analogy. We are right back to where we were three years ago. Except, we have wasted three years of effort, and tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees which could have have gone into improving the school system.

And, somebody's professional reputation was trashed.

Nice work.

Deja Vu All Over Again ... (by Bob Guerin)

"I got Nuthin! "  said the Groundhog ...

In the movie Groundhog Day, Actor Bill Murray portrays a weatherman who finds himself living the same day over and over again.

Here in Sandwich, it’s the School Committee that seems to be reliving their yesterdays.

About the only difference between life in Sandwich and life in the Murray movie is that here in town it’s all about the community school pool not Punxsutawney Phil.

Don’t believe me? Read this week’s Sandwich Broadsider.

This week’s paper reports that Superintendent C. Richard Canfield has broached the idea about the town picking up utility and chemical costs for Sandwich High School pool operations. “I think its discussion we should be having,” Canfield told the school committee. “The cost for utilities and chemicals is $60,000. This would preserve the pool. Otherwise, we’d have to work away from that and say we just cannot absorb the cost.”

Did Dr. Canfield really say this is a discussion we should be having?

Bob Simmons and I began this very “discussion” 6-, 8-, maybe 10-years ago!

Much like Bill Murray’s character in the movie, after reading this week’s paper, I am wondering if anybody else but me is experiencing a sickening sense of Déjà vu?

School Committee goes for the Hail Mary Pass

The School Committee filed an application for "Further Appellate Review" of the MEJ case this week.

According to the SJC website:

After the Appeals Court has decided an appeal, a party may file (a) a petition for rehearing by the Appeals Court, and/or (b) an application to the SJC for Further Appellate Review (FAR). The affirmative vote of three SJC Justices is required in order for an FAR application to be allowed.

The Appeals Court decision seemed pretty clear, so I'm curious what legitimate issues could be raised.  (yes, I am fully expecting a response written entirely in caps saying "YOU DIDNT COOMPLAIN WHEN JOHNSON APEELED THE OTER COURT .  YOUR AN ASSWHOLE!").

It's still unknown whether three SJC Justices will be willing to actually hear the requested appeal-appeal -- so this may just be a stall tactic.

I see a few potential scenarios:

A.  School Counsel has discovered some issue of law that the three justices of the Appeals Court missed.  (OK, stop laughing ... )

B.  Insurance Counsel is engaging in some CYA tactics so they can say they did everything possible before the insurance company stops funding the Town's defense.

C. Counsel is using the filing as a negotiating tool -- encouraging a "low ball" settlement in exchange for dropping their appeal. 

D.  Counsel is just running the fee clock and nobody is willing to question the amount of public money (either direct taxes, or indirect town insurance premiums) are being flushed down the judicial toilet.

E.  All of the above (except A!)

(Since this issue has pretty much been beat to death -- Comments on this topic will be limited to those that actually add something new to the conversation -- not just constant repetition of the same old discussions.)

But, Seriously ...

The Superintendent and the School Committee did a good job holding the line on this contract. The resulting contract was pretty much exactly what was targeted three years ago when negotiations started.

It's ironic that we could have had this same contract three years ago without any of the theatrics, ill will, and legal fees -  but, hey, it is what it is!

Good job!

A Laugh a Minute ....

Amusing item in today's CCT; SEA President For Life Laura "Norma Rae" Carlyle complained that "It is very difficult when teaching is politicized."

She's right.

That was damn political of the School Committee to be out on the street holding picket signs, marching around town, crowding into meetings, making grossly inaccurate statements to the press, refusing to write student college recommendations, attend dances, graduations, etc.

What?

Oh, that was the union doing those things?