The biggest thing that comes to mind about last night's meeting is OMG. Again, I'm not a political person and don't know all the in's and out's of town government (something I'm working on changing), but it's so apparent that the finance committee and the school committee are at war. It seems to me that this is the major reason that things can't get done.
What I don't understand is how it's so easy for people to see that other departments in town need money to continue to offer the best services, but they don't believe it to be true for the schools. The current fire truck is old and is becoming unsafe, so we approve a new fire truck. Of course that's what we should do. The town hall is in desperate need of repairs, so we approve a repair fund. Of course that's what we should do. The school committee needs more money in the budget to be able to offer basic services to our children and keep the schools running effectively, so we completely shut them down and make it so they couldn't possibly get any money from other sources?!? I don't get it.
To be fair, I will admit that the school committee not offering information about where the money is going to be used is probably a bad move. I understand they don't have to, but it does make people angry when we're told we don't need to know. And I do agree that they need a business manager, mainly because the school administrators should be focused on school issues. A neutral party should be focused on streamlining things.
But having said that, I still can't believe that some townspeople don't see the school as a priority to not only maintain, but improve upon. Schools are the anchors of our communities. When the schools suffer, the whole town will suffer.
What are your thoughts about the meeting last night?
Totally not true. Had the school committee come in with more warrants (before the town meeting) asking for money for technology and capital improvements, like they did for the windows, they would have gotten the money. They NEED A BUSINESS MANAGER. Someone who knows the "system" and can spread a little good PR for the schools.
ReplyDeleteI found that last night the school administrators and members of the school committee have NO IDEA how to get things done through the town. Not to mention that they came across as whiny bullies.
I think to say that the schools would have gotten more money just by having items on the warrant is a bit of a stretch. Would the items have been Finance Committee approved? Where would the money have come from? I agree that the school committe definately needs a business manager and also needs someone that knows how the municipal side of government works. The fact that the school committee felt "sandbagged" by the motion to reconsider the budget was ridiculous. Why did no one from the school department KNOW what was happening and work to prevent it from happening? I disagree that they came across as whiny or bullies. I think they appeared desperate, which is what they are. As a citizen that has children in the public schools, it is how I feel too.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note. I was happy to see the (relative) high turn out for town meeting. I think more voters need to get educated, engaged, and vocal about what is happening in our town, with our taxes.
The warrants are reviewed by the finance committee ahead of time. They approved $124,800 for windows at CMS, and would have approved more if the school committee had asked (as evident by the moderator and the town council trying to help Tom C draft a warrant that would have been acceptable to vote on).
ReplyDeletePeople (and the BOS) want to help, but the school needs to step up and take some responsibility for their own fate and budget. Learn the system, play nice, work together (and that is not saying it felt "sandbagged")
The Us vs. Them thing will NOT WORK.
I have kids in the system too. But I have to live in town and depend on the other services just as much as the school! In fact more so after my kids have left the school.
I have to agree, the Finance committee increased the schools budget by 600K and another 124k for windows. The FinCom has to abide by the need for a balanced budget and gave the school system as much money as it possibly could without de-funding other necessary functions.
DeleteI hear everyones opinion, but my question is: So what now? How is the school proceeding to provide the children with the necessary environment and educational resources it requires? I see response from the school we need to cut teachers, paraprofessional, sports in the middle school, etc etc. - all cuts.
ReplyDeleteBut I have not seen one article or comment from the school regarding what their plan is to provide the services and encourage students to enter the clinton schools. - We can say business manager all day long, but even a business manager alone cannot fight city hall and resolve the issues prior to school start in September. If you cut cut cut, you just discourage parents to keep or bring students to Clinton. When you just open your doors and have limited teachers, large class sizes, and no other extra curricular activites, why would you put your child in that school. I understand the fiscal need and lack of finance committee support, but I would like to see the school show me a plan, status quo is not the solution. It is also my understanding that teachers have not received a raise in a few years and the publicity of blaming the teachers they are greedy and only want money I think is unfair. I would like to see the union print something regarding exactly what if any raises they have gotten so the public becomes knowledgable. Maintenace of our schools is also an important matter to be addressed, yes indeed windows are needed in the middle school, as well as alot of other repairs I have observed upon my visits to the schools, the middle school is not a new building and like every building requires upkeep daily. I wish some of the public would tour the schools and observe the needs. I always will defend and encourage children and parents to attend Clinton Schools, and will support their needs but I would really like to see some action from the school regarding their plan of what now? I would like to see something other than our plan is to cut cut cut. Yes money is not there, but lets review every item required to run the school, lets see if their is waste anywhere, lets investigate how to achieve our goals. We cannot let the children of Clinton down by cutting teachers, sports, and other necessary educational needs. Raising taxes in this economy no one wants to see, but it is our obligation to provide for our children and if that is one of the solutions, then so be it. I see parents spending alot of money on AAU sports, youth sports, trips to Disney World, dinner at McDonalds, add that up - people do spend money on needs for their children already. If taxes had to be raised a $100 or $200 a year (how many trips to Mcdonalds to they lose)- Shouldn't our schools come first, that after all is important to our childrens future. Lets hope everyone works together quickly for the benefit of our schools.
I'd like to know why we have to encourage more students to come to our schools. It doesn't seem to make sense to me, especially since it cost so much to educate each one.
ReplyDeleteIf we can't afford to educate our own children why do we want more students?
I've been paying real estate taxes in Clinton since 1965. Half of that helped to educate generations of students. All the schools have to do is ask and everything is handed to them.
This feeling of entitlement that goes with the school system has to slow down.
There are other needs in Clinton besides the schools.
There seem to be no consideration for the seniors in Clinton. We are being driven from our homes because we can't afford the high taxes. When do we get a break? I doubt they'll ever get their Senior Center this century.
The roads in town are a mess. High St. is an ongoing mess. As well as plenty of other things in town.
It just can't be "all about the schools" always. They're draining us.
It's really getting old and we need a break....!
And while I'm thinking about it, why aren't the teachers salaries published in the Town Book anymore? Could it be because they're higher then most towns in the state? If we're paying the salaries, I'd like to know what they are...........What's that all about?
I respectfully disagree with the statement the schools get everything they want - The schools have worked on a limited decrease budget for sometime now, teachers pay -all of that is published on the clinton web site and no they are not overpaid in comparison to other districts. The roads I agree need repair-but that is not the schools taking money away from the DPW- (call your selectman and complain-) Taxes in Clinton are not high in comparison to other equal communities. We in Clinton receive many full time services not available in other towns with Higher taxes - You have a full time fire and ambulance service to name a couple. We don't care about Seniors, I am highly offended at that comment, I have seen and heard much discussion and effort put into a senior center and it to me just came down to no one could be made happy with what could be done. I feel we care a great deal about our senior citizens and I personally have great respect for them all. I by the way am a senior citizen also and I have paid taxes in Clinton also for many years also. Economy is poor all around, but I do not believe that Clinton has raised taxes so much that "They are driving you out of your homes" Seniors have limited income yes that is true, but no one in Clinton is deliberately raising your taxes to drive you out of your home. If you need tax assistance it is available contact your town hall for assistance. School choice students in (brings in money) yes it would be nice to stop school choice, but right now it helps pay the bills, but if you observe no support for the schools which is by the way what is occurring, you need not worry about school choicing in to Clinton, but you better worry about school choice out of Clinton, that is going to cost us Big Bucks. I wish you well and respect your senior citizen status in Clinton, but in closing the schools are the future of Clinton, they are the adults of tomorrow, the seniors of tomorrow and they need a good education to succeed and we the people of Clinton need good schools, and schools do not function without money. Time for the adults in Clinton to evaluate the financial crisis and the decline of our schools, If Clinton students keep school choicing out -your going to have higher taxes then you would now with an over ride
Deletewe pay for every child that school choices OUT of district. Your taxes might go up some with an override, but less than your going to pay if you don't vote an override. YOU will pay it one way or another. Best to pay the increase now to improve out schools, then pay it to other communities for school choice out. If you do not improve our schools, your going to pay more and more every year to accomodate the cost of school choice out. No one likes to pay any increase but it is what it is. I wish you well and hope you get the assistance you need.