Jim and I have always had a cordial relationship -- we agree on many issues and agree to disagree on others but I think his response to Bob Guerin's description of the latest Golden Triangle fiasco as "silly" is a little over the top. But, then again, I think trying to negotiate a land development deal through the local press is also a little over the top -- so I guess he's being consistent.
I do understand his concern over the attention paid to the amount of money the pool was taking away from the Town's academic budget -- I would probably feel the same way if my daughter-in-law ran the pool programs.
But, I probably would have been a little more careful about referring to the former Superintendent of Schools as "unqualified". People with 35+ years of experience who have worked as Assistant Superintendents and have earned Doctoral degrees might be a little sensitive to that -- particularly when she's already on the winning side of some very costly litigation against the Town.
"Ham Fisted approach to the SEA" ? OK, I have no doubt that's the way the SEA President described it when she met with him -- but most Selectmen don't try to involve themselves in the business of other committees. Although it is nice to see where the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen stands on efforts to control labor costs. Maybe he could make an effort to do that on the Town side?
The loss of students has always been a concern -- but there's not a hell of a lot the School Committee can do about the doubling of Sturgis classroom space and the opening of PJPII High School. I would also venture that opening a pool will not stem the flow of students leaving the District -- for schools without pools! Maybe if some efforts had been made to reduce property taxes, we wouldn't have so many empty 3-4 bedroom houses in town?
And, my favorite: "forcing a contract renewal through a lame-duck School Committee". I'm not sure what he means -- was he referring to Dr. Canfield's renewal which was done this past spring at the meeting immediately prior to the election? Or was he talking about Dr. Johnson's renewal which was done at the meeting before an election several years ago? In any event, both Committees followed the recommended MASC procedure of having the committee who has worked with the Superintendent complete his/her evaluation and renew his/her contract (or not). You wouldn't want somebody evaluating a performance they had never witnessed would you? I'm surprised Jim didn't remember that explanation -- I know it was in several depositions lately -- I guess he really wasn't paying attention to the Town's attorneys.
8 comments:
Jim, would "silly" include approving a grant application for a million dollar fire boat that we don't need and can't afford to staff or maintain?
Mr. Peirce:
Wow! Very, very silly!
Another view of the same events might be:
The Super is (and was) very qualified.
Tough labor negotiations to rein in costs are often challenging and stressful (but necessary).
Pool and Community School expenses were outrageous and needed fixing.
Capital planning (Wing and all other buildings) was/is a long-neglected, badly managed Selectmen duty.
AND,
More than any other cause, Student out-flow is directly attributable to years of Town versus School speeches at Selectmen meetings by both the town manager and the board that left many concerned parents unsure of the town’s commitment to providing a quality education .
Well said ms. Beasley. But didnt you know that sandwich is the "dirtybomb" capitol of the world. I didnt either until the fd explained the reasons for buying that boat. A new station shouldnt even be brought before the taxpayers . But im sure it will....again
to 1012 Sandwich did not buy this fire boat, but they did buy into maintaining it as a result of excepting the grant which brought this boat to our town. Now that can cost our town several thousands of dollars just in the first year after the warranty runs out, given the present design of this boat. Not with standing a larger payroll to have fire fighters manning it
My only concern is for the Town. Is anything been done about getting a grant to purchase an old aircraft carrier to protect the Town from the sharks?
How silly
Sharks? What about something to protect us from Mashpee, Bourne and Barnstable?
Questioning a potential buyers "financial horsepower" is an absolute insult. Selling the ...uh hmmm....Golden Triangle 20 years ago for $1 would have at least brought $50-60 MILLION in tax revenue. Therefore "intellectual horsepower" comes into question
it appears dr. jim has shot himself in the foot --- its bad enough that the BOS Chair tried negotiating a land contract in the local papers --- but then he decides to get in a pissing contest with a local blog about old issues? (no offense to our host!) ---
This is a guy you want leading your town?
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