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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.
23 comments:
Just a short while back I sent Unka Bob Simmons a note that he kindly published for me concerning the way the pool was, er, returned (?) to us, the taxpayers of Sandwich. I guess I wasn't specific enough in my concerns about our Superintendant that Mr Guerin has penned in this most recent blog letter. In a nutshell, when I used the adjective 'teflon' to describe Dr Canfield it was my attempt to identify the problem most politicians have. Smooth talking, large smile, everything is wonderful and oh by the way I will give you the STEM for $19 mil and look what I have saved you routine. Thank you brother Bob Guerin for the very appropriate picture of the shell game. The toughest thing to deal with with any teflon pan is a fried egg.... its really slippery and you just can't pin the damn thing down. So thanks Bob Guerin for echoing my original concerns. Slippery do-dah.... will anyone really question his plan? Considering the reputation the town has in the school management department...is this board afraid to question? Believe me, the CCRTA buses began the new routes to Hyannis for the Sturgis kids and St Francis... but for only 19 mil he can put us into a fantastic automobile that runs on water...ooops, am I being cynical again? To my friend the truthmaker.... how can I ever have coffee when this darn economy has me working more than I ever wanted (retired eh?)....I will find a way.....
Well, yes there was a shell game going on. But, you missed who was pulling it and who saw through it. About three years ago it was recognized that we had dug ourselves a big hole regarding maintaining our infrastructure. The Capital Improvement Planning Committee spent about $45K doing an analysis that led on 2/25/10 to a recommendation to the selectmen that $26M was needed to fix everything. That is everything but the Wing School The CIPC threw up their hands (and maybe their lunch)and said, "We can't figure that out."
So, the Board of Selectmen went to Town Meeting for money to do a "forensic engineering" study to find out how much it would cost to get Wing up to Mass School Building Authority (MSBA)and Americans with Disability Act(ADA)standards. The Town hired Symmes, Maini & McKee Assoc. (SMMA)and asked them that "how much" question. Now, let's remember, SMMA makes money selling schools. And, we asked them a very specific "how much" question.
They answered with three options. You can do an extensive remodel for $30M. You can do a partial tear down with small addition for $40M. Or, you can build a whole new school on adjacent land and tear down the old building for $50M. Which cup is the little pea under?
I was at the School Committee meeting when SMMA presented their report. Two members of the committee, Andrea Killion and Jessica Linehan almost simultaneously, I don't remember who went first, said, "Wait just a doggone minute, shouldn't we be looking at the whole district not just Wing?" Roughly translated that comes out, "I'm not playing your little game."
There was still money left in the TM appropriation. So, we said, "Go back and take a look at the whole district and give us a master plan. Since SMMA was already up to speed, they were allowed to continue.
It was soon recognized that enrollment had been decreasing for a decade and was expected to decline for another decade. SMMA came back with another option. We can remodel the A-wing of the high school for a meer %15M and put grades 7 and 8 over there. Remember these folks make their money selling schools and school renovations.
Now it was Richard Canfield's turn to say, "Wait just a doggone minute. Why would I want to spend the lion's share of $15M turning 11 perfectly good science labs into 7 bigger ones just to meet MSBA standards?"
This is where the quote, "Let's stop focusing on the bricks and morter and turn our attention to the magic in the classroom," became relevant.
Roughly translated that says, "Let's not spend a bloody nickel on bricks and morter if we don't have to."
As near as I can tell, Richard reached this conclusion sometime over the time period while he was dealing with the loss of his 98 year old mother. He described her as the "consumate education professional."
I'm willing to wait a few months to see what the costs of going to STEM in the fall of 2013 are. In fact, I'm going to go one better. Until I learn otherwise, I'm going to do whatever I can to help see that it happens.
He has the perfect storm of opportunity with two Superintendents going down in flames, the town's reputation smeared all over the CCTimes.No one wants to be the one to pull the trigger and get the wrath of his supporters or those who just want he bad press to go away for awhile. Good ol'Sandwich- go along to get along. By the way,why aren't administrators every looked at for the problems the schools are having? How many vice-principals and teachers have left under Dr. Booras? Parents want strong leaders they admire and who their children can and should be able to look up to.People want continuity and expertise. How can this happen with the revolving personnel door at the HS- what is that saying about the culture of the school which is derived from the top down.No ipads can fix those questions.
P.S. Teflon (registered trade mark)is good. DuPont pays my pension.
I don't disagree with the STEM concept -- I think Dr. Canfield is on the right track and he obviously has the testicular fortitude to do what he needs to do to reach his goals. The STEM concept will help retain students and likely attract more -- but even more importantly, students will be receiving a quality education that will improve their future employability.
The numbers we have been hearing to date are huge.
My issue is just the complete lack of discussion. With a few exceptions, the Committee is just not asking any relevant questions. It's particularly amusing given all the bitching about lack of transparency a couple of years ago -- when the Committee actually asked questions.
I would add that the leadership at the three K-12 schools also needs to be looked at closely. Two of the schools have new to the district principals and the third school has a relatively new to the position principal. The leadership at the K-8 schools is nothing to brag about at this point. Strong leadership at these schools would go a long way to bringing about stronger teachers which just might help keep some of the students in the district at least a little longer. Strong leaders build strong teams. No amount of brick and mortar or STEM curriculum can change that fact.
I also don't in concept disagree with the STEM concept but to think that we are suddenly going to move our 7th and 8th graders to the high school with a brand new curriculm next fall without any discussion is insane. In addition to not asking any questions, we are not even asking Dr. Canfield to explain his own contradictions. In one article we read that there will be no interaction between the 7th & 8th graders and the high school students. In the next article, we read that this is an excellent opportunity for the 8th graders to partcipate in high school sports, arts, and drama. Exactly how are we keeping these two groups apart if we are inviting them to be together?
In addition, if we are going to make this drastic change to our town's school structure, can there PLEASE be some discussion as to the future of the rest of the buildings and grades? You cannot just make this decision without considering the rest of the picture. (Well, maybe you can as it seems that is exactly what this town does in all of its decisions.) It feels like we have gone from making no decisions at all to making decisions without any discussion or thought for the future. Can we please not find a middle ground somewhere?
Here's my problem with these reports.
How is it that Sturgis can aquire land in Hyannis and build a two story building for 500 students for $12 million?
These numbers that our town keeps using are crazy - arent they?
Or, maybe theyre right but nobody considered the cheaper alternatives - its clear that there are alternatives out there. Just ask Sturgis. Where's the data and where's the transparency? And, where are the folks who are suppose to be asking the hard questions?
Where are the folks who are supposed to be asking the hard questions? When the first SMMA recommendation came in several of us, Andrea, Jessica, John Juros (Capital Planning Committee) Richard Canfield, me and others said, "Aren't those numbers a bit absurd? Let's have another look." The District Master Plan Task Team was formed, March 2011. Doug Lapp did the scheduling and made sure all meetings were posted. The Task Team was made up of co-chairs, Andrea and Jessica, Mary Ellen (Richard in July 2011), John Juros, Doug, Alan Hall (new school facilities guy, about Sept 2011) Michelle and four school principles. Phil Poinelli of Symmes, Maini & McKee Assoc. facilitated six or seven meetings. All meetings were posted as open to the public. During televised SC meetings multiple references were made to the task teams existence and what it was doing. In terms of hard questions, a couple of us, especially Richard, Alan and John, did not take it easy on Mr. Poinelli. But, care to guess how many concerned citizens showed up? Zero. The press did cover the last meeting. That was the one where we voted unanimously to reject investing in Wing in favor of STEM in the under-utilized High School.
That was the best option on the table at the time even though it included $15M of capital investment (44% to come from MSBA). But, once some of us, led by Richard, pawed through some floor plans and walked the halls, even that didn't look so enticing. SMMA was proposing a "modest" two story addition and remodeling all the 1000 sqft wet labs in the building to meet new, 1400 sqft, MSBA standards.
Richard is too careful to say so without some facts to back him up. But, caution has never been my strong point. So, I'll say it. I think it can be done with no capital investment whatsoever. Am I sure? No. Is the question worth asking? Yes.
Data? Last years grade 6 is next falls grade 8. There are 267 of them in 12 sections of under 25. Last years grade 5 is next falls grade 7. There are 263 of them in 12 sections of under 25. These are not just numbers. My grandsons are involved in this. But, the numbers work. Put them all in one place and you only need 11 sections of each to stay under 25. That means 22 classrooms. A-wing has three floors with eleven classrooms each. We still need to understand a lot about required staffing and what sort of ancillary space is needed. What will it do to the bus schedule and transportation cost? Do you have to add cafeteria staff or can you reassign existing people? Same question with nursing and guidance?
That's why Richard has formed yet another team to dig out all that information. It has had one meeting so far. It was posted and announced by the SC on TV. Did the public come? No. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 on Sept 6, location TBD. It will be posted and open to the public. Will the public show any interest?
Mr. Pierce, I agree with your concerns about lack of public interest. But, I think a better question is -- Will the School Committee show any interest? Linehan is long gone --- and although her questions were generally irrelevant, and usually obnoxious, at least she asked questions -- I'm not hearing anybody asking questions. (Real questions -- not the "like to hear myself talk" type questions that we hear from some of your colleagues!)
Mr. Guerin, maybe the cost was so low because they don't have a cafeteria or a gym! Last sc mtg. Dr. Canfield stated he would have a presentation at tonights mtg.on stem and the posted agenda states 2012 end of year budget report will be presented. What a lot of people forget is that the 2012 budget was prepared by a previous administrator, not the one who had to use it. And I will agree the chair has been pretty silent.
If it falls to me (aka Joe Taxpayer) to ask the hard questions because these Boards won’t - that’s just awful. Besides that Jim – you seem to think public input gets heard and listened to and acted on. Since when? I’ve never seen it in action.
Just because these Committees and Administrators want to buy and build the Cadillac of everything doesn’t persuade me.
Instead, I will just show up at Town Meeting and vote NO on each and every request for override, tax increase, etc. I don’t have the time or inclination to clean up all the messes these boards and committees and administrators can and do dream up.
10:35, The problem with an EOY Budget report on August 29 is that the budget closed 60 days ago. Theoretically, you would have approved any budget transfers before they happened ? Were the iPads charged to Utility expense? How did the money end up in the right account to pay the unexpected expense?
How was an unbudgeted $250,000 expense approved? From what I'm seeing the Committee has never discussed it -- let alone approved it. Why wasnt that money returned to the Town?
Yes, it was not Dr. C's Budget -- but by the time he was making budget presentations to FinCom in April he should have had a pretty good handle on how the year was going to end up (he was 10 months into the year). He should have known there was a likely surplus -- and, if SC members could read financial statements, they would have seen that there was no need to push the panic button. Kangas & Grundman look silly for carrying on for more school money -- when in reality, there was a surplus.
The whole committee is silent ... even the traditional loud mouths are now sitting quietly on the sidelines.
I thought kangas and grundman were requesting more for the 2013 budget which Dr. Canfield was putting together with his administration and what they would like to see happen for the education of our kids without the need for fees to balance the budget. I like what Canfield is doing and why - to keep our kids in this district and give them the best, most competitive education they can. Remember, 3 million of our tax dollars go to sending students to other schools! and to change the old adage a bit - it takes money to save money!
Not Canfield's budget? Come on?
The prior Administration didn’t propose any of this spending krap.
And, somehow, back then, when Johnson was still here, the School Committee questioned every move she made and nickel she spent – especially Kangas and Crossman.
Now? Its all silence and smiles – unless of course the beloved pool is at issue.
This post reminds me of those who still blame Bush/Cheney for everything bad in the world even though we’re 3+ years into Obama's Hope & Change festival.
Hey 1035 – are you suggesting that the $30 or $40 million dollar Wing project was more than the Sturgis School because it included a cafeteria and gym?
How’s that exactly? Its $12 million for the school building (like Sturgis) and another $18 million for the gym and cafeteria? Does that really make sense to you?
1:30, huh? If the Schools had maybe $500,000 left over his year ..... Why should they be getting even morenext year?
Mr. Pierce - I would also suggest that one week notice for a 4:30 meeting that has very little publicity is not the best way to get the public involved. The large majority of people are working at that time and those that are not have children who are home. Exactly who do you think is going to show up at these meetings? And if you truly want people to show up, try sending out the notices to the 4 school PTA presidents who can then send a message out to the families of school age children - the people most affected by this change. I don't think that people are watching the local cable channel as a way to learn about local meetings on a regular basis. Maybe the committee can form another committee to better figure out how to inform the public of what is really going on.
hey 347, maybe having to be ADA compliant has something to do with it, and mold removal, system updates(i.e. boiler etc.)There are 17 different levels at wing, try putting an elevator in that mess. It involves a little more than just erecting a new building - obvious to anyone paying attention -
805 - Of course the new Sturgis building is ADA compliant and of course it has elevators.
So why is replacing Wing $40 million and Sturgis $12?
Oh, thats right, no gym and cafeteria at Sturgis and everyone knows that a gym and a cefeteria costs about $28 million.
To my new pen pal, Jim Pierce I would like to say, you do have very sharp pencils and I do believe your accurate and truthful information concerning the entire Wing School and STEM issue....and I would like to believe that "Richard" is not wearing a teflon suit. However the hardest thing for anyone to accept is a bait and switch versus someone making an actual management decision based on the dollars involved. Anyone would dump the Wing school after seeing the cost of bringing the old girl up to date. It just appears to be 'shifty' to move so quickly to the STEM expenses. Now Jim, before you stick me with that sharp pencil again (and remember I do believe the numbers you produce and respect the amount of time that you put into these efforts!) what concerns me again, is watching that desperately needed Public Safety complex being reduced to a tin garage because we MUST build STEM now! That is my major objection the hurry we appear to be in with STEM. It was interesting to read Sean Gonsalves CCTimes piece today, specifically on Dr Canfields efforts to get into STEM. He had an interesting take on the entire effort. For those of us who grew up with the simple reading, writing and 'rithmatic (and drawing pictures of the Pilgrims eating Thanksgiving Dinner with our crayons provided BY the school!) It appears that STEM is just the newest band wagon to jump on. Need I draw an example from anyone who underwent education in the business world with MBO, TQM, ISO, etc, etc. All dead dogs right now. Jim....will STEM cause poor Bud Dunham to tragically downsize the towns needs on the government side? I think so....we always face this conundrum. I for one, will be reading, listening and watching all of the SACAT shows.....I need to think of just how much money I can afford to add to my taxes so I can, in the words of Mr Ellis...."BLEED A LITTLE". Funny thing is, I thought I had been Hemorrhaging for the past eight years.... its hard to be optimistic but I shall keep an open mind.
The Truth Maker would say x 2 on Greg the original comments.The STEM project will be a distraction to building the much needed safety building. This is one time we need to put the horse before the cart and see if the safety building will get the support it needs from the taxpayers and the local politicians who in the past have had no objections to paying out tax payers dollars for a study and then when the rubber hits the road, they find a reason to side track it into the back room of political football.
Greg (my esteemed pen pal) I hear you. Although Richard is too cautious to say so, I will say it. STEM can be done with very little, maybe even no, zero, nada, capital investment. Our consultant (who makes money building schools) kept leading us to options one through five all of which involved millions in "bricks and mortar". Options one, two and three were pour $30M, $40M or $50M into Wing. Option four was build additions onto Oak Ridge and Forestdale for many millions to avoid investing in Wing. Option five was invest $15M in modifications to the high school to accomodate STEM. Richard's option six is use the high school as is from a "bricks and mortar" perspective, to accomodate STEM. BUT, invest some money in staffing (a STEM director and dean at $150K) and technology (for example, iPads and robotics kits at maybe $500K)to make STEM a valid educational step forward.
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