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| Security Cameras at SHS captured the source of an unusual noise this week --- it was the sound of more tax dollars being sucked out through tghe leaks that somebody forgot to fix .... when they were fixing the leaks in the pool! |
Saturday, December 06, 2014
Security Camera Footage ...
Friday, December 05, 2014
Like Shooting Fish in A Barrel ... or a (still) leaky swimming pool ...
I have finally managed to laugh my way out of Writer's Block!
First, the Town proudly announced that they had cut 9% of the $30 Million cost of the proposed Public Safety Building -- by eliminating 45% of the building space!
If they cut 90% of the space would we save 18% of the cost?
Now I understand why we need the building -- but by eliminating 100% of the space would we only save 20% of the cost!! Would we be paying somebody $24 Million to NOT build us a building.
You have to love consultants!
Unfortunately, local government has become such a flea circus that nobody is paying attention anyway --this deal would have a better chance if they would stop "educating the public" !!
(I do think we need a better Police/Fire station -- but I still question the cost. I'm even more suspicious now that they have managed to reduce 45% from what they originally claimed was a "no-frills" proposal.)
The Sandwich Pool ... the gift that keeps on giving!
So, we just spent $980,000 to fix the leaks in the pool .. and it looks great! Except for one minor issue ... IT'S STILL LEAKING!!
It gets better. Apparently the pool has never met the State Building Code because it was never properly grounded. And, apparently nobody noticed that until the renovation was completed. No word on the cost of that repair yet.
Just to recap the Pool saga -- a few years back some School Committee folks were practically tarred and feathered by an angry crowd wielding swim goggles and pitchforks for pointing out:
- The Community School Accounting Reports were bogus, misleading, and useless
- The Pool was being subsidized by the School System
- There should be a reserve for Pool maintenance
- Unknown people were allowed to wander in and get naked with high school kids
Guess what?
- The School budget funded "Lifeguard Love Shacks" to provide public changing areas,
- The Community School closed because it couldn't support the pool or its own expenses
- The Public was eventually banned during school hours for obvious security reasons
- The Pool was closed due to a lack of maintenance
- Almost $1 million was spent to fix the pool -- but it still can't open because it leaks
- Even if it didn't leak, it doesn't meet code because users could be electrocuted
The more things change, the more they remain the same!
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
LET'S FIND OUR 2020 VISION By Jim Pierce
I just spent a fun-filled few minutes at notthepta.org. A couple of folks referred to the future of the Wing building complex. Below is an article by yours truly that was published in your favorite turtle cage liner over three and a half years ago. Your dedicated readers also appear to have missed the point that the FY15 budget includes $75K for a Wing re-lifing study. We remain on track although my six month, mentioned at the end of the article, appears to have become 4-5 years :-) The inertia in this form of government can never be over-estimated. But, to quote Winston Churchill, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for everything else we've tried."
My crystal ball proved reasonably accurate. Please feel free to "reprint" the article with reference to its original publication date, if you like.
LET'S FIND OUR 2020 VISION
During the week of February 14 the final piece in a giant puzzle was placed face up on the table for the selectmen and school committee. Now all those pieces have to be assembled into a Capital Asset Plan for Sandwich.
Cost estimates were presented for making the Wing complex serviceable as a school long term. There are basically three alternatives. The complex can be renovated for $30 million. New construction coupled with renovation would cost $40 million. A whole new school can be built for $50 million. The consultant also pointed out that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) will reemburse about half the cost. The estimates were escalated because construction cannot begin until 2014.
If one of these paths is followed, the voters of Sandwich will be asked to borrow between $15-25 million to have a fourth school building in place in time for the 2015-2016 school year. The problem is, at least as I see it, Sandwich will not need four school buildings. The voters may have good reason to want a fourth school building. That is distinct from needing one.
The school enrollment as of October 1, 2010 was just over 3400. That is down 800 from the peak in 2002. The classes in the high school today average about 260. The entering kindergarten classes over the next four years, based on 2010 census data, will average about 210. Each of the next four years about 260 students will graduate while 210 are entering kindergarten. Consequently, enrollment goes down 50 students per year.
Cat Stuck in Tree Next?
I have avoided chiming in with my $.02 on the latest heavily publicized "Fire Boat Rescues Dog from Canal" stories. I was hoping somebody else could find a dark side to saving somebody's beloved pet rescued. But it didn't happen.
Here's the disclaimers:
1) I like dogs, I've always had dogs. Some of my best friends are dogs.
2) The current FD administration did not acquire the stupid fire boat -- so we can't blame them for the foolish thing. (but maybe they could sell it?)
3) I am reluctant to antagonize any group that I may need to save my fat ass from a bad situation
That being said, would we have emptied the station leaving at least half the Town with limited coverage if it was a cat stuck in a tree? If we had multiple calls and called in mutual aid from another Town is it fair to make those other folks wait for an ambulance?
Couldn't the Coast Guard, or the Harbor Master who already have staffed boats on site handled the call?
Friday, September 26, 2014
Timberrrrrrrr !!!
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| Missed Opportunity --- I'm sure SOMEBODY must have seen this guy nesting along the Service Road ? |
The No-Gas crowd saved the best for last. The mind-numbing broadcast caused me to nod off more than a few times, but I have a distinct memory that one of the last speakers had a lovely English accent and spoke of the Town shredding Baby Birds in a wood chipper.
Nonetheless, the Selectmen showed spine and made cogent comments and well-reasoned explanations for their votes to allow the tree removal. Justin the Tree Warden did a good job explaining the situation despite the fact he probably feared for his life. The Crossmans even appeared very reasonable and professional -- despite their long involvement with this issue.
On the other hand, more than a few of their neighbors thought they had been invited to a barroom brawl!
Friday, August 29, 2014
And Now a Word From The Sandwich Public Schools ....
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
The Case With No Winners
UPDATE -- The CCT is reporting that Dr. Johnson has not agreed to the settlement. The Town is still on the hook for $465,000 but no other details are available.
From the Cape Cod Times: Sandwich to pay Johnson $500K
No surprise. But, it's too bad that winning a case doesn't actually produce any winners -- unless you count the lawyers who benefited from a four year unsupervised billing orgy!
On one side, you have the Sandwich taxpayers who have essentially been paying two Superintendents for the past three years as a direct result of the actions of four vindictive school committee members. That's money that hasn't gone towards improving education, fixing roads, fixing beaches, or maintaining buildings.
On the other side, you have a former School Superintendent with almost 40 years of experience who has become essentially unemployable. Not only did she lose her job but, once some folks realized there could be some ramifications for their actions, they really began to pile on the bullshit.
Does anybody think it is unusual that a District would ban their own School Superintendent for allegedly speaking harshly to an employee -- yet allow two other school employees directly involved with the care of children to remain employed -- despite the fact that they appeared to be so intoxicated that fellow employees had to drive them home from school?
How about a Union that not only defended both of those employees but then filed grievances and fought to get them reinstated and their records expunged? But, then again, this is the same union whose new President recently resigned because she was tired of being bullied by the old union leadership. (Who, not coincidentally, is back in control.)
One other point -- the current Superintendent made a comment about this settlement affecting funds available for students in the current year's education budget. Given that the bulk of this settlement was decried by a Judge months ago, this liability should have been fully accrued for in Fiscal 2014. In fact, given the facts of the case, I would be shocked if there has not been a reserve on the books for this payment for the past three years. This has already hit the budget -- To say this claim could also have any impact on the coming year's school budget is disingenuous at best.
Let's not start lining up those FY '15 Budget excuses yet!
Mass. Taxpayers Will Fund Sandwich Project That Sandwich Voters Did Not Want to Fund
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| Thank you Abington, Athol, Braintree, Chelsea, Danvers, Edgartown, Falmouth, Granby, Haverhilll ....! |
Mass. Taxpayers Will Fund Sandwich Project That Sandwich Voters Did Not Want to Fund
Standard Stadium Disclaimer: I am one of the large number of people who absolutely, positively, do not begrudge any veteran a memorial. I would have no problem re-naming the High School Building after Captain DeConto. My concern is only the cost and priority of the project.
The roads are falling apart, the beach is washing away, and the Public Safety Buildings are a disgrace, I'm just not seeing artificial turf as a major necessity.
But, barring the sudden growth of a spine, I assume the Governor will sign off and then we can thank the good folks in West Boylston, North Adams, Lowell & Lawrence for their contribution to our football field.
But, for the record, this still doesn't make up for the value of the subsidized swimming pool access Sandwich taxpayers have been providing to their Cape neighbors for the past two decades!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
The New Sandwich School Department Theme Song ....
Ironically, at the same time time that Sandwich takes a giant step forward through school consolidation and reconfiguration it takes a giant leap backwards to the Bad Old Days of Union theatrics and bullying.
Interestingly, a few years back several teachers complained privately to the School Committee about bullying -- but because they weren't willing to go public, there was little that could be done. One Committee member did publically criticize a union member by name for bullying and was immediately slapped with a grievance demanding an apology. In response, she said she would rather sit naked in the stocks in front of the Daniel Webster than to apologize for her comments. Eventually the matter was dropped. (No stock-sitting required!)
One of the provisions of the last Teachers contract gave the Union the ability to charge all teachers a representation fee regardless of whether or not they joined the union. Maybe, now that every employee is forced to fund this nonsense, somebody will have the courage to step up and end the embarrassment that small minority of Union leadership causes their colleagues and the entire District.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Sandwich Teachers Union President Resigns -- Fed up with Union Bullies!
"Unfortunately there are also a few representatives on your executive board who are filled with hatred and anger. They have no interest in resolutions, only in bathing in their own vitriolic sentiments and bullying others. "
The below email was sent to SEA members across Town yesterday. I have never met outgoing SEA President Paula Chambers, but her email shows a tremendous amount of bravery and professionalism to make very public what has long been a major problem in the Sandwich Schools. (Thank you to all of the folks who sent me a copy of this -- all of whom made the stipulation that their names not be used.)
Dear Friends and Colleagues;
I am writing to inform you that I have resigned as President of the SEA. I have worked very hard to represent and advocate for all SEA members, and am grateful for the support and guidance many of you have given me along the way.
During my year as president I have gotten to know some very good members of the executive board who work tirelessly to represent the people in their buildings.
I want to publicly thank them for their dedication and hard work this year. Unfortunately there are also a few representatives on your executive board who are filled with hatred and anger. They have no interest in resolutions, only in bathing in their own vitriolic sentiments and bullying others.
There is a definite disconnect with my approach and that of this vocal minority. My belief is that Unions should be there to find positive ways to resolve differences, to support each other and to make the schools better. I don't believe in a union that looks for ways to rip people apart and to cripple their own school system.
I am sorry if I have disappointed any of you, but the current board is one I can no longer be part of.
You may hear rumors of what happened at the last Eboard meeting, so I thought you deserved to hear it from me.
Although every Eboard meeting has been confrontational, the last meeting really went south quickly. The issue was my request for president release time for next year which we had previously discussed at earlier meetings . I wanted to get a final vote on the issue before bringing it to all of you at the next general membership meeting on Monday. President release time is customary in most towns of our size, and I believe it may be part of the reason that we have always had such difficult relations in our town. There has to be time to work out problems, not just file grievances. True success should not be measured by the number of grievances filed, but rather by the number avoided by adept problem solving skills. A board member said to me that she didn't understand what I needed time for, and that "all that is involved in being a president is contract negotiations". That mentality is why there have been so many problems in the past. Filing grievances is a quick response to issues but it is very short sighted. Building healthy relationships and working out problems requires effort, time and the proper skill set. As a successful president you need to have time for negotiations Yes- but also time for a multitude of other subcommittees, time for listening, time for researching solutions and for attempting conflict resolution, you need time to meet with and to communicate with Eboard members, to write newsletters, and to communicate with all of the schools and all of the units - not just the teachers. You have to have time to contact the Supt., administrators, MTA , local and state representatives, time to speak at, and watch school committee meetings, and if there was enough time,some presidents get involved in advocating for legislation and educational policy at the local and state level.
I especially thought time would be important next year with all of the changes in store for our district. The supt. had agreed to president release time - funded by the association or by the town- he was open to either, I had put it on the agenda to discuss with the Eboard and then present the options to the general membership for hopeful approval on Monday. I had also seriously contemplated taking a pay cut if the membership didn't think it was possible to fund the release time and did not agree to let the town fund it. I thought it was that important .
In the meantime my teaching schedule for next year was up in the air and It had been set up with an open block - not yet filled - in case I was able to work this out. Some Eboard members took this opportunity to let me know how much they didn't trust or like me and launched a personal attack on my character for even attempting to get release time. When others tried to speak in defense they were shouted down.
When I looked at the angry mob in front of me I decided I was all done.
I tendered my resignation which was met by "Finally, Its about time!" from the biggest bully in the room.
This particular issue was about my position, but it wasn't about me- as some may want you to believe. I stillwould urge you to consider release time in the future for presidents; as I think it will be key to a successful union.
I understand that the the meeting for Monday was cancelled, which is a shame because I do think members should be kept up to date on what is going on. Here are a few key issues you may want to know about:
1. The custodial contract has been settled, with a tentative agreement.
2. The ESP Contract was ratified.
3. The Secretary Contract was ratified.
4. The Teachers Negotiations team has hired a private mediator to come in for the next 3 sessions to help us find solutions.
5. There s a new component of the evaluation system going in place next year - it involves getting student feedback through surveys. My suggestion to the JLMT group is that the surveys next year should only be used for teachers to review privately. No one should be required to share feedback with admin in the first year of implementation, as we all have enough to stress about next year. I had worked this out with Maureen Wiklund and I hope this verbal agreement remains intact.
We have a lot of changes in store next year, the Supt. has stated that there will definitely be an overall loss of jobs. Buildings and schedules will be changing and we will all be struggling with trying to keep a positive attitude and doing right by our students while feeling a bit overwhelmed and uncertain at the same time. Although I am no longer on the SEA board, I am always interested in meeting with people who want to create positive change in our school and who want to find thoughtful and equitable solutions. I will work to promote candidates for the board next year that exhibit these types of qualities . Feel free to contact me if you want to talk about improving school culture.
Members need to speak out to create the union they want. If you are silent, that is a sign of your approval with the status quo.
I truly wish everyone the best of luck. I hope everyone has a great summer and comes back refreshed for a successful school year.
With Love and admiration of my colleagues -
Paula Chambers
- your coworker
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