It's not very often I get to quote Elmer Fudd, but looking at the challenging budgetary waters we are heading into, its terrifying to see who could be driving the boat!
There is definitely one, but probably three seats opening up on the School Committee this year. The current Chair has been in for two years and will likely have to rotate off -- leaving (God Help us!) Crossman and Kangas as the potential Committee Chair (unless Andrade or a new member steps up.)
So far, their only claim to fame is being characterized as "mean-spirited" and "callous" by a Superior Court Judge, after their actions cost the Town over $430,000 in the Johnson case. One is also best known for her undying support for the pool -- regardless of the cost. The other has been lovingly referred to as an "unmedicated third grader" and is best known for rattling off strings of completely meaningless budget numbers, and accusations -- only to be told she was looking at the wrong document.
In other words, probably not the people you want at the helm (or in the room!) when you're looking at:
- Consolidating & Restructuring schools
- Implementing a new STEM Program
- Overseeing a $30 Million budget
- Convincing the Public the schools need an Override
- Stemming the tide of kids fleeing the District to Choice & Charter schools
- Negotiating contracts with the Teachers & the Superintendent
If you have ever considered running for School Committee, or have any interest in local government, or educational policy, this could be your year. You can read an article on "What Makes a Great School Board Member" here -- but I would strongly suggest that you contact past and/or present Committee members for more information on this position.
20 comments:
Checking the municipal side...do we really need an Assistant Town Planner and a Gis Specialist? This is another example of out of control spending. The Cape Cod Commission has ample resources in their gis department to assist with any mapping and at last count, we have a Planner and 2 secretaries in that department - one part time. Can we put the brakes on this Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee? Please!
It seems pretty clear to me that the School Committee and the School Administration have decided that their job is to keep asking for money and to work to offer every program and service possible so long as taxpayers are willing to pay the bill.
It also seems clear to me that the Board of Selectmen has decided that their job is to keep asking taxpayers for money (and every once-in-a-while to grant or suspend a liquor license).
Assuming both Committees have a correct understanding of their jobs, why bother running for office?
Instead of filling one night a week with a committee meeting that does little more than generate new ways to spend, I say: just make sure you vote at Town Meeting and on Election Day and that you vote your personal economic interest.
The most important job in town right now is for every Taxpayer to find their voice and make themselves heard.
Joe - wouldn't you rather see every taxpayer find their voice and be able to vote for strong candidates? If the right people run, then maybe they will be able to work together to find ways to have a strong educational program for the town without consistently asking for money.
As much as I would like to see the Wing become consolidated town offices, I just can't imagine that the town could ever figure out the financing. It's become
obvious the school dept doesn't need the building,
and the town can't afford the required Reno work ... so sell the building to a private developer to make housing/office space -- subject to all the usual hysterical district nonsense.
And when the hysterical district shrieking starts.... just point them to Dewey Ave. ... their last "crucial" preservation project is just sitting there wasting an opportunity to generate tax dollars.... waiting to fall down.
I’ve seen independent, fiscally conservative voices get elected to these Committees before – they’re always working alone or in the minority. They get drowned out and burnt out by the politics of tough choices. Nobody on these boards wants to say no; and that’s why everything gets put to taxpayers at Town Meeting and the ballot.
When Committee members say “Let the taxpayer decide” that’s really code for I won’t make tough choices, I refuse to lead.
And the worst part is Town Meeting may only be 200-300 people who are willing to spend hours babbling repetitively about minute details.
Many of them have done absolutely no research, and have little or no understanding of the issues at hand -- yet they get to make the decision because they are available/willing to go to the meeting.
If enough people want something bad enough, they can easily fill the room and stack the vote --- which is why we're dumping a million dollars into your favorite local swimming hole.
Hey, that's democracy!
Bob - my guess is someone will buy the building and turn it into a charter school and now there will be no students in the district.
Town meeting may have put the pool vote on the ballot, but low voter turnout brought it to reality. Once again, if you didn't vote you can't complain. My family didn't agree and 3 of us voted, maybe if a few more households had turned out, we wouldn't be looking at that expense on top of all the other "needs" in this town.
to 1046 the Devil is in all of the minute details. It is also attempting to read between the lines as to what will be the future impact being decided at Town Meeting. Many times it matters not that the meeting has all been stacked to provide the vote sought after by what ever group is pushing its agenda.
It is unfortunate that town meeting is the only place one can be heard and at least get some answers too.
Hopefully some times the babbling gets to wake up a few that have been spoon fed information which has been incorrectly debated to mislead those in attendance and places a few more out there with questions that they will follow up to see who may have been fabrication what ever they are selling.
unfortunately, town meeting is too late. people need to understand the issues before they walk in the door --- not just grabbing the mic and asking stupid questions about issues which have been discussed for months --- THAT is why so few people will go to Town Meeting anymore.
the sight of the angry insurance lady, the crazy blond from another town, or the old guy with the brown jacket (that always wants a legal opinion) --makes even the most patient voter want to scream or throw something!
Tsakalos has pulled the plug on the "Golden Triangle"
Find your way to the "Sandwich Moms" Facebook page. They're throwing their Uggs at each other over STEM.
Not the Uggs ! They hurt way more than when they throw their NorthFaces at each other !! Next thing you know they'll be pitching their Silpada, Pampered Chef, and Silly baskets at each other!
Let me guess, The "Gifted & Talented" parents are rumbling with the "Special Ed" parents ? Could Ethan's robotics funding be reallocated to teach Jacob to read?
(I heard recently that "Gifted and Talented" just means that Mom has a hyphenated last name!)
Been there ... done that !
The Moms are quite heated about the perceived lack of Grade 7/8 sports at the new STEM academy. It turned to a host of other school related insults. As amusing (and scary) as it is, I'm hoping it sparks one of these ladies to pull some nomination papers.
Well, sports ARE the most important part of school, aren't they! You gotta love the Pop Warner / Hockey Mom mentality!
There's barely any sports for 7/8 graders now. I would think anything would be an improvement.
What are we running a school system or training camp for athletes?
Stem is the new wave of the future, just look at who will get to benefit and who will not.
Just the high motivated child will get the full benefit of this program and the average child will be once again be lost as is the case today at our present High school and one of the major reason so many are leaving to go elsewhere to get a better chance in life
Amen Bob to your comments about Wing and Dewey Ave. The Committee who has put the breaks to redevelopment with historical restrictions to Dewey Ave are now entering year 3 of no alternative solution. The building keeps going down and in the past 5 years town resources have been spent twice to move the School District Offices. There is something very wrong with this picture.
Nothing will change until we use a form of government that demands accountability. I personally think for Sandwich, with it's particular set of issues, Town Meeting and a board supposedly running the town, is no longer working. Maybe going back to 3 full time selectman and 2 part time would help. There is no real accountability with a figure head board and a paid employee running the town.
OMG! Just what we need --- multiple full-time amateur Selectmen running our $60 Million + Budget -- with a couple of part-timers mixed in (so they would have somebody to argue with?)
Time to jump into the 21st Century -- we need to elect an educated, experienced professional manager as Town Manager/Mayor who can run the Town the way it should be run without constantly pandering to the special interests.
He would certainly be accountable -- he couldn't blame "the rest of the Board", or "history", or "process", or any of the silliness we have been hearing for the past decade.
It won't happen though. We will just continue to get the same volunteer retreads that shuffle from one pointless make-work committee to the next.
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