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| " When donkeys fly!? " |
I have to admit it -- I haven't watched more than a few minutes of a School Committee Meeting in months. I tuned in to one school budget meeting recently and saw three empty chairs -- so apparently some of the members weren't paying attention either. (Maybe they were watching American Idol?)
I don't think I've missed anything. I have caught parts of Selectmen's meetings -- as much as I do like Canfield, I cringe when I hear the phrase "I haven't discussed this with the School Committee yet". Apparently, he doesn't take them seriously either?
Smoke and Mirrors aside, somebody needs to call a spade a spade.
The Poolies fought successfully to get almost $1 Million in public money to fix the swimming pool --- despite never producing a Business Plan or operating budget to show ongoing operations would be funded.
Now, just a few months later, the School Department needs an override. But, of course, its not to cover the increased pool operating costs, it's for (say it together!)...... STEM. Some folks seem to think the mere utterance of that magic word has the ability to waive away all budgetary restrictions.
I think STEM is a fine concept, and I think Gil Newton will do a tremendous job running it. I also think the proposed school realignment and Wing-ectomy are both good ideas. But I'm not hearing anybody ask any tough questions or discuss any alternative solutions.
Could we have made do without the pool until the savings from the Wing-ectomy started to kick in? That pool had never been available to students during the day anyway until recently when it was publicly acknowledged that anybody could buy a pool pass and wander naked with the high school kids. (Despite the initial tar and feathering -- it now appears to have finally become obvious (to most) how stupid that Community School policy was.)
What happens if there is no override? Are we going to shut-down the pool we just paid a million to fix, or are we going to lay-off some teachers. and cancel some classes?
There will be so many people with their hands out for an Override this year that Town Meeting will look like its being held in the streets of Calcutta. By my rough estimate so far:
- Stadium Funding - artificial turf, etc.
- Police/Fire -- Public Safety Building (or two, or three!)
- Schools -- STEM, STEM, STEM
- DPW -- Roads, parking lots, etc.
- Library -- Bigger and Better building (to recharge your Nook/Kindle in ?)
- Wing-ectomy funding to study the Reno/Rehab/reuse of Wing
Let the games begin!!!!
