Time to take The Wing on "The Ride"

Like many animal owners, over the past twenty-something years,  there have been numerous occasions when Dad and the aged & ailing dog/cat/rabbit/guinea pig go out for That Ride --- the ride from which only Dad returns.

Well,  I think its time to take The Wing on The Ride....

Somebody recently asked my thoughts on the plans to reconfigure the three K-8's.  

 

I just don't have a horse in this race.  Next year, I will have three kids at three different high schools, and (hopefully) a fourth teaching school someplace.  No more K-8's.

 

I've never claimed to be a professional educator, or an expert in child development (just ask my kids!)  But, from a management perspective, it makes sense to me to consolidate like operations whenever possible --- to allow the greatest sharing of resources and talent and to ensure maximum consistency of results.

 

But ...  I've been told that kids can't be treated like widgets. 

 

If there is a sound educational argument to be made to structure in one fashion or another, I could be swayed.  BUT, if the argument is based on ill-informed hysterical shrieking or rambling dissertations by folks with no professional background or experience in the subject (other than the ability to mix sperm and egg), I tend to change the channel and watch American Idol!

 

From a Big Picture perspective, the Wing has to go.  While I suspect the engineering / consulting reports are exaggerated, there's no disputing it's a grossly inefficient facility that is costly to maintain.

 

I always argued that we may need those school seats at some point, but given the increased number of seats at Pope John Paul II and Sturgis, the growth in School Choice options, and the generally changing age demographic in this area, that's probably unlikely.  Any substantial student growth I the future would likely impact an expanded Upper Cape Tech, or more cost-effective modular additions to the Forestdale or Oakridge.

 

That being said, I am still leery of adding yet another piece of useless real estate to the Town's portfolio.  In a professional environment, I would be promoting an effort to consolidate Town services in a single location and then liquidating the remaining properties to outside buyers -- buyers with money, not the friendly folks looking to help themselves to public property for their own benefit -- or those that confuse "historic" with "old".

 

What has (not) happened to the Dewey Avenue building is a disgrace.

 

As I have little confidence that the Town could ever actually coordinate or finance a renovation/consolidation effort, I would strongly support subdividing the parcel, turning the fields over to the Recreation Department and selling the building to a private developer for renovation into apartments, and/or an assisted living facility.   Sale proceeds could be used to fund some of the deferred maintenance efforts around town.

 

Or, we could hire another consultant.

 

The best argument I've heard for a new Library building is that we need more space to store our Consultants' Reports !!

When I am called to duty, God,
wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life,
whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
before it is too late,
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert,
and hear the weakest shout,
quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling,
to give the best in me,
to guard my friend and neighbor,
and protect his property.
And if according to Your will
I must answer death's call,
bless with your protecting hand,
my family one and all.

 

The Fireman's Prayer

Budget Numbers Don't Add Up (By Bob Guerin)

The standard School Committee and Selectman discussion of Dr. Canfield’s budget continues to suggest $1 million of savings will soon be realized by the schools.

It is just about impossible, though, to find any evidence and documentation supporting these numbers in any published budget materials. How much money is Dr. Canfield spending this year? How does that compare to what the schools spent last year, or expects to spend next year?

Perhaps the reason for this oversight and research failure by our elected officials is because the real numbers don't match up with the storyline. For example, in the current year, the schools are expected to spend 30,819,859. With all the savings being talked about, plus the past decade of declining enrollments, a reasonable person might assume that spending next year will be down a bit. But it's not. In fact, the Superintendents’ budget calls for spending $32,006,580 in 2015. That's $1,186,721 more than this year. It's not a one-year aberration either. Spending increases are projected for the following year (2016) by Dr. Canfield albeit he suggests a significantly smaller increase than this year’s requested increase.

It's hard to rationalize that the school's budget is about to realize significant savings while also reading reports published by the schools showing spending going in the opposite direction. . . .

The basic problem is simple Dr. Canfield and our elected officials have tortured the English language by suggesting that if spending grows less than expected, it should be called a spending cut or savings. Outside of city hall, nobody talks like that. This is more than just a theoretical discussion about transparency and budgeting. The failure of our school administration, school committee and selectmen to provide real numbers presents a false image to taxpayers about the state of our municipal budgets. Spending is not being cut but going up.

The Minister of Magic ?

The CCT is reporting that Town Manager  Bud Dunham  "found"  enough cash floating around Town Hall to eliminate the possibility that Selectmen would need to propose a Prop 2 1/2 Override to fund the implementation of the Academy of the the Sacred STEM.  Previously the Board had decided not to decide on presenting the Public Safety Building to the voters.

Looks like we're switching philosophies from "Let the Voters Decide" to, "Never Trust The Voters with Anything Important" !  

(To be Continued ...)

I am a STEM supporter -- but there are no Blank Checks!

Don't Worry, STEM will save us !

I'm a STEM supporter, I'm also a Canfield supporter -- but I'm concerned that the the chant of "STEM, STEM, STEM!" has become the standard answer to every question.  I am also concerned that there does not seem to be much School Committee oversight any more.  

The Town suggests a 2% budget -- the Schools come in with 4.5%.

The Schools endorse opening the pool -- even though they have no idea of the operating costs.

More than $500,000 was spent on a new technology platform (iPads) which essentially commits the District to future expenditures to maintain the program -- and there is no committee discussion.  (Again, not a bad idea -- but it needed some discussion and tyhought)

The Superintendent was discussing Overrides with the Selectmen, before the School Committee.

I think its amusing that some of the same people that used to claim prior School Committees were rubber-stamping Superintendent's proposals, and used to make long. dramatic, nonsensical financial pronouncements now appear to be comatose.  What has happened to that rush to make a public comment -- regardless of gaining any understanding of the facts?  

Once again, it appears those self-proclaimed Budget Watchdogs have turned into little leg-humpers!

Did someone say "silly" ?

And THIS is why we're in trouble .......

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.

Golden Triangle Deal Collapses .... Again.

(See Cape Cod Times article here.)

Be Afwaid, Be Vewy Afwaid ...

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. 

Cue The Flying Donkeys ... It's Budget Season !

" 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!!!!