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. 

They aren't costs savings. They are people. And people matter.

The school committee has explored the option of outsourcing both our cafeterias and custodians. The research concluded that outsourcing would actually cost the district more. One could ask our neighbors in Bourne how much the group that has taken over their district's food service has saved their town. The Bourne Courier reported that a $5,000 audit revealed that the district has lost $300,000 by outsourcing their cafeterias.

As the budget season wrangling begins, maybe a better use of time would be take an honest look at where the school system has prioritized its spending or to have an honest discussion of why our system is hemorrhaging students to other districts. 

I doubt its the chicken nuggets.

Marty Cosgrove
Sandwich High School

To Which The Superintendent responded:

Subject: Message from Dr. Canfield

You received an email this morning that contained many inaccuracies and representations.  I trust it was sent out of compassion and concern for fellow staff members that we all care about.  When there are issues impacting any of my staff, I believe that courtesy should be observed to the best of my ability.   It is appropriate that I remind all staff of the importance of following the acceptable use policy of the Sandwich Public Schools, for both Internet access and use of our email system, especially the All Staff feature.  It is clearly a time for all of us to do our best and work together to insure the brightest future for the students, families, and staff that are the Sandwich Public Schools.

A Few of my own Random Thoughts and Observations (Not to be confused with the Superintendent's -- he's far too polite!)

Several years ago the question of outsourcing Food Service was raised.  The Prior Business Administrator's response was half-assed at best (or you might say "inconclusive" if you wanted to be polite).  There has not been a "real" analysis done in recent history.  I'm not saying it a good idea, or a bad idea, but I don't want to leave anybody with the impression that this issue has been looked at with any degree of objective analysis.

Why is the Athletic Director, who is actually an Administrator -- despite still being a member of the Teachers Union -- publicly attacking a possible decision of the School Administration and the School Committee to explore possible cost savings?  So much for working together for common goals.  In the private sector we refer to administrators who can't work towards the common good as "former employees".  In the public sector, many of them seem to just be referred to as "union members".

I have no idea if outsourcing food service is good, or bad -- but I would be interested in seeing an analysis of the issue.

It's interesting that somebody who has seen several previously self-funded athletic teams added to the school budget over the past few years would be so quick to jump on a possible effort by the administration to review potential cost savings.

Maybe they should reduce Math and English to cover the cost of that extra athletic funding?

Of course the food service issue involves "people"!  Every issue involves people -- either employees who may lose a job or taxpayers who may be forced to get a second job or further cut their own budget to pay higher taxes and fees.  In addition to Athletic & Activity fees, the District also expect parents to shell out almost $100 per student for such exotic "supplies" as paper towels and pencils. 

Parents are being asked to send paper towels & pencils to school -- and he doesn't think there is any good reason to look for potential cost savings?

There is only one group in town that is so completely tone-deaf to public opinion, as well as political and financial realities -- It looks like the Teacher's Union Leadership is starting up their own warped "public relations" effort.  It's too bad they aren't willing to sign their work.  (Besides, has anybody ever seen the Athletic Director use proper capitalization -- or ANY upper case letters -- in his own writings?)