Killion Kommission: "Ding the Wing!"

Once upon a time, I argued against the idea of consolidating schools because I didn't believe that a Town full of four bedroom colonials would not once again support 4,000 students.   BUT .... that was before hearing that it would cost somewhere well north of $30 million to fix or replace the Wing.  It was also before the huge growth in Choice and Charter Schools.  The reality is that students have already begun shifting from town to town -- based on programs offered, rather than how close the school is to their homes.  Every Town no longer needs to maintain classroom space for every potential student.

Stockpiling empty seats and excess capacity is a luxury Towns can no longer afford.  Consolidation is inevitable if Districts have any hope of providing a quality education in the future.  (See interesting article on school regionalization)

That being said, it was good to see the CCT's article discussing the potential of closing down the Wing and shifting all 7th & 8th graders to a new wing at the High School (would we call it the  "Wing wing" ?)-- a plan that would "only" cost $16 Million (let's call it $20 Million so we can avoid being "surprised" when the cost overruns start!).  

This would likely start a chain reaction of consolidation across Town -- town offices from the Annex, Jan Sebastian, Oakcrest, the HSB, and the Back Table at the Taverna could all be shifted to some piece of the Wing -- even the School Administration could go there which would actually encourage consolidating the two major financial functions under the same roof.  That would also allow the Town to liquidate some assets that are in miserable condition -- which they could not otherwise afford to repair or replace.

BUT .... those old buildings need to be sold.  Nobody can pull a "Clark-Haddad" where six years after the decision to dump the building, folks are still sitting on their hands trying to get the guts to acknowledge that it is a crappy building that we can not afford to maintain -- and that it should be sold -- REGARDLESS of who went to kindergarten there!

We can deal with the Newly-renovated Town Hall later.  I am sure the Hysterical Society, or the local Chamber of Commerce could fight over it --- maybe they could even build a Boardwalk from it -- or sell "free" spring water from the $325,000 faucet to pay the rent.

Buried deep in the story there was also an interesting point about the potential High School renovation displacing The Community School.  I guess that's one way to solve the pool problem --- THAT uprising should be amusing!

It Takes Two to Tango / Norma Rae doesn't live here anymore

The CCT is reporting that the Teachers Union began picketing this morning. Seems logical -- particularly if they are trying to eliminate the precious little public support to which they cling. The Town unions and many of the smaller Sandwich School unions settled for contracts and wage freezes two years ago. The SEA still hasn't agreed to anything.

Maybe the SEA would like to explain exactly what the unresolved issues are? 

 Do they expect taxpayers to support a contract without even knowing what's in it?

I think its time the SEA shows a little "ResPect" (that was the spellling on the sign at SHS this AM -- must have been a math teacher) to the taxpayers and parents who are already working multiple jobs with little vacation time, few benefits, and no pensions.

Now the schools want to triple the K-8 sports fee, and teachers are threatening to not write college recommendations, and cancel after school activities -- even though teachers are paid to "volunteer" for them (see pg 35 of the contract) ?  That should help build support for the schools!

Maybe the School Committee should finally execute the Evergreen Clause (see pg 37, final paragraph) which states:

"In the event the parties commence negotiations for a successor Agreement as provided herein, and such negotiations are not concluded before August 31, 2010, then, in such event, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until a successor Agreement is executed; but in no event beyond August 31, 2011." (emphasis added)

Throw the old contract out, and start over.

MY STANDARD DISCLAIMER ON TEACHERS -- My kids have had many great teachers in Sandwich.  My oldest daughter graduated from SHS and is now studying to be a Teacher, my mother and many members of my family were teachers.  I readily acknowledge I don't have the patience to be a good teacher.   I am pro-teacher, but I believe that good teachers should be well-compensated  based solely on their own ability -- just as any other profession.   The biggest beneficiary of union protection are those teachers who could not be retained based on their own abilities and merits.  

Survey This ... (By Bob Guerin)

Almost every time I hear a story or read an article about our school system two things occur. First, I find myself wondering how the staff and administration have let whatever I am reading about happen and second, I try to imagine why such an obvious problem or shortcoming hasn't been previously identified and corrected. 

Today's story, from the Cape Cod Times, highlights discipline and suspensions. 

The story reports that during 2010/2011 2 students at Wing School, 8 at Oak Ridge and 25 at Forestdale School were suspended. I am sure Wing is the smallest of our 3 schools; while Forestdale and Oak Ridge are comparable in size. Still, aren't these numbers alarming? 

At nearly 3 times the rate of Oak Ridge, and twelve times the rate of Wing, Forestdale School is suspending children from a K - 8 school. If we can assume that nobody in grades K through 4 ever gets suspended, then all of this disciplinary nonsense is taking place in just 4 classes -- grades, 5, 6, 7, and 8. 

Either the children of Forestdale are a mob of undisciplined, perhaps violent and chronically prone to unruly behavior clan, or just maybe, the staff or administration of Forestdale is failing our children dramatically. 

Either the neighborhoods of Forestdale are producing and raising a disproportionate number of budding social misfits or the teachers and staff at Forestdale are failing to lead, to teach and to role model. 

Maybe this should signal a problem to someone in Administration. Maybe? 

Maybe we should take a survey? Maybe.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record ...

(If anybody remembers what a record was!) ....

Before the School Department asks for more money -- or triples my K-8 sports fee -- I would like assurances that the money that I already give them is not being used to entertain people who are not enrolled in grades K-12.

Specifically, is the Community School reimbursing the District for all of its operating costs yet?  

How much did the Community Pool reimburse the District for utility usage this year?  Where are those funds recognized in the Budget?

How was construction of the "cabanas" funded?  (I'm going to skip any jokes about what the cabanas have been used for -- or the quality of the supervision in either the locker room or the pool area!)

If the Pool continues to run at a major loss (as the last audit showed that it did), does the School Committee plan to continue to allow the parents paying for Drivers Ed & Pre-School, as well as those taking night courses, to subsidize pool costs ?  Does the fact that such a large percentage of pool users benefiting from this generosity don't even live (or pay taxes) in Sandwich concern anyone? 

And, what about that audit?  Are the auditors coming back to see if the issues raised in their report have been addressed or ignored (again)?

(OK -- Here's the standard Community Pool Discussion Disclaimer:  I think the Community School, including the Pool, provide great programs that benefit people of all ages from Sandwich and surrounding Towns.    If the Town wants to take over the pool, and try to fund it through a Town meeting appropriation, good luck.   But, do not use the tax dollars appropriated to support our kids' education to reduce the cost of swim time for the nice people in Barnstable, Mashpee, Falmouth etc.    They can pay for their own recreation.)

Random Budget Thoughts before I switched to Hawaii 5-0...

I don’t watch School Committee meetings much anymore.

Yelling at the TV and making motions from the couch just don’t seem to accomplish much. (But, then again, I could say the same for many people who are actually at those meetings!) 

I saw most of last night’s meeting, but was forced to change the channel when Kangas started repeating her “thoughts” on the literacy program for the 5th time. I thought there was something wrong with the cable -- she’d finish her statement, and then start over again, and again, and again.

What happened to her? She went from bitching about postage and copying expenses to advocating FOR a $1.3 million budget deficit and saying “Let’s just throw ANOTHER $200,000 on that budget request”. So much for the “Budget Watchdog".

Where was Linehands? The Guardian of All that is Good once again didn't bother to vote on the annual budget – this will be 2 out of the past 3 annual budget votes she hasn't shown up for. Is she ignoring her duty as an elected School Committee member because SEA members were in the room holding signs complaining about their inability to negotiate a contract? Doesn't sound like very good representation for her constituents. 

Speaking of contracts, as of today I have been 9,897 days without a contract! I have managed to maintain gainful employment based solely on my own abilities and constantly-evaluated job performance. On the bright side, I now get 3 weeks’ vacation and a handful of holidays – which gives me time for my continuing professional education – and some time to work a few side jobs to get some money into my self-funded retirement account. 

You want to raise my K-8 athletic fees how much? 

Did I miss the part of the budget presentation when somebody mentioned that the School District was going to stop subsidizing the swimming program for those nice people from Mashpee, Bourne, Falmouth, Barnstable, etc? 

Did I hear somebody say Bus Fees? 

Did I miss the part where somebody said they were going to complete the audit work that was started on the Student Activity Account, Athletic Revolving Account, and Community School Program 3 years ago? 

How about a reserve in this budget for anticipated legal fees and settlements, as well as contract negotiations.  (I don't need specific numbers --- I just want to know these issues have been considered.)

I’m sure they must have had those discussions while I watched Steve McGarrett & Co. save the world.

Random Thoughts From The Sidelines (By Bob Guerin)

A few thoughts from an interested taxpayer, parent and voter: 

The never-ending annual School budget debate has resumed. It seems that the two most frequently argued positions are also back without apology. On one side is the "let's spend anything, it's for our children" advocates and on the other side it is the "Let's cut, cut, cut" crowd. It's grown tiresome, predictable and pathetic. 

Keeping in mind that the Selectmen and Finance Committees have already modestly increased the school budget the argument isn't really about cuts is it? It's all about spending. 

Our school budget problem is not that costs increase, it's that school costs increase at a rate that not realistic. 

So what's realistic? 

In a town where tax revenues grow at roughly 2.5 - 3% a year a realistic budget should grow at roughly 2% - 2.5% annually or about a $550,000 increase in this year's school budget. That's not bad -- especially if you're a private sector type where budgets grow far slower. Its also not the $1.3 million dollar increase the School Administration is seeking. 

In our school district, teacher compensation, which is roughly 80% or more of the school budget, has historically grown at about 5.5% annually or nearly twice the rate of tax revenue (town income) growth. 

Spending money at twice your income has never been a recipe for fiscal health or long-term financial viability. 

To fix the school's budget problems you need to fix expenses; you need to set total compensation cost growth (salary, steps, longevity, stipends, etc) at 2.5% - 3% annually. That's the fix. 

I'd like to hear the School Committee and Administration talking expense management and talking labor costs. Arguing about how much to spend on paper, paint and chalk is sort or pointless if nobody's ever going to talk about the 80% of the budget (teacher compensation) that's sinking the ship. 

Personally, I don't think taxpayers are willing to pay higher property taxes so that teachers can get annual wage increases of 5 - 5.5%. It seems as though the School Administration and School Committee are thinking otherwise. 

Wouldn't it be nice if all the grown ups could get in a room together and agree that in a town where tax revenues grow at roughly 2.5 - 3% a year a realistic budget should grow at roughly 2% - 2.5% annually? Or, about a $580,000 increase. A $580,000 increase in the school budget seems both reasonable and affordable. 

And, wouldn't it be really nice if the School Committee and School Administration would assume some genuine fiscal responsibility and reality and actually manage all expenses to a roughly 2% - 2.5% annual growth budget? 

It just doesn't seem to need to be so hard, so political and so divisive. And, it certainly does not require the drama and theatrics that the School Administration and School Committee seems to bring to the budget hearing process and their televised meetings. 

Will Those Little Wet Footprints Be Returning?

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The furor over the Community School pool issues seemed to have died down lately.  All those little wet geriatric footprints (many leading back to Barnstable, Falmouth and Mashpee) had evaporated from the carpet in the School Committee meeting room. People had stopped asking how we could afford to run the pool, if expenses far exceeded income.  People didn't even seem to care where the money came from to build the "cabanas" on the pool deck.

And then it started.  The locker room, which the World had previously been assured was always well-supervised by school staff, became the scene of an assault that resulted in criminal charges.  Then, a lifeguard -- who the World had previously been assured would be supervising the pool area and protecting the kids -- was arrested on statutory rape charges.

And then, in the light of recent events, the Cape Cod Times wrote an editorial reiterating their support for the prior administration's decision to secure the school building and prohibit non-students from the building during school hours. (It was nice to finally see them support something -- but that's another story!)

Maybe this, and the pressures of the upcoming budget, will generate some public interest in asking hard questions about Pool operations?

If so, I have no doubt we will be seeing those little wet footprints again! 

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Some things never change ....

Just like monkeys at the zoo, the Emptyprize hates to miss an opportunity to throw some shit at their favorite targets!

This week's issue is a classic --- you would assume the lead story would be the fact that the State Appellate court is considering reinstating the former superintendent's previously dismissed case against the District -- a nasty little piece of business that could cost the Town more than $300,000.

You would be half right -- Dr. Johnson was back on the cover this week -- but because (get ready ...) The School Committee voted to comply with the law and the terms of her prior contract and negotiated a pay-out accrued vacation & incentive pay --- SIX MONTHS AGO !

Somebody apparently also had their knickers in a twist over the fact that she tried to negotiate a better exit deal.  Keep in mind, this is a professional with 35+ years of experience who received a positive evaluation, and then was essentially fired 10 days later for no stated reason.  If you're about to be unemployed and negotiating an exit deal, why would you ask for anything less than you think your contract allows?  The relevant number is what was actually paid out -- not where negotiations began.

It's also ironic that somebody who has been terminated is also eligible to receive performance bonuses -- but we've learned to expect the unexpected.

What's even more ironic is that, despite the knowledge of pending litigation, school counsel apparently approved the settlement without requesting any liability releases -- a basic agreement to pay out the incentives only in exchange for the settlement of all pending legal claims.  I can't imagine that little faux pas being overlooked by a corporate client in the "real world"!

Since the Emptyprize  has taken to reviewing payroll records, maybe they will soon be doing stories on how much was paid out (or may soon be paid out) to other Department Heads.  Nothing specific to Sandwich -- historically, the retirement of a Senior Department Head in any Town, will trigger a substantial pay-out of accrued sick and vacation pay.

Or, if they're really in a mathematical mood, maybe they could look at the operating costs of the Community Pool and compare them against the related revenue.  (Hint -- the net of those two numbers will have a negative sign in front of it!)

Here we go again ....

From The Cape Cod Times:

Court weighs evidence in Sandwich contract case (click for full story)

"...Two of the judges — Frederick Brown and Mark Green — peppered Davis with questions about the meeting and took the position that the school board put too much weight on Shack's opinion.

"It imbues the district attorney with power that he doesn't have under the statute," Green said. He went on to say that the newly constituted committee could not abrogate the authority of a previous school committee.

At one point during the town's oral argument, Brown indicated that Davis had already lost. "That's two votes," he said.

Brown and Green suggested the school board should have tried to invalidate Johnson's contract in court within 21 days of the original vote.

"You snooze and you lose," Brown said.

Davis argued that court action was only one remedy at the school committee's disposal and, instead, the board chose to correct the mistake on its own by reposting the meeting and retaking the vote as the district attorney's office suggested in its letter to the town.
But Brown suggested the school committee had another remedy if it didn't want to honor Johnson's new contract. 

"Pay her salary and tell her to get out of town," he said. ..."

Where I have I heard that before?    (Oh, now I remember ...)

Details to follow ...