School Budget
Here is the permanent place of ideas and discussion of the school budget.
Here is the permanent place of ideas and discussion of the school budget.
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May 21st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I went to the school board meeting tonight and asked about the laptops for the school board.
I asked why we were going to pay for laptops for volunteers, and why they couldn’t use some of the laptops that are scheduled for replacement instead of buying new.
I received no answer to my question during the meeting
I also asked which warrant article these were covered under.
The warrant article which includes these laptops is article two.
After the meeting, one of the board members approached me and expressed concern that my question was not answered.
I agreed that it had not been.
This member of the board agreed to look into the board using some of the 100 laptops scheduled for replacement in the Computers On Wheels instead of buying new.
We’ll have to see what actually happens.
There is a meeting June 5th at the High School
During this meeting, they will go over each warrant article, and we will have the chance to lower the amount af any article which is of concern, providing enough people agree and vote on it.
This is our money being spent, and they are only expecting around 200 people to show up to vote on the warrant articles.
Once this voting is done, then on June 10th, your only option will be to vote yes or no in the budget.
June 5th is the last chance to do any budget reduction with out rejecting the entire budget.
I encourage everyome who is concerned about the school spending to attend the June 5th meeting to let your feelings be known through the voting process.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:08 am
Thanks for the information.
From the MSAD 35 website, Article Two reads: To see what sum the District will be authorized to expend for Instructional Support.
The explanation is: This article provides funding for all student and staff support services such as guidance, nursing, library, curriculum and staff development, technology, and assessment.
Not sure how the School Board fits into any of the above categories.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 am
I believe they are claiming it falls under the technology portion.
I had to ask to make sure which article covered the laptops because it is clear as mud, the same as the town warrant articles.
I also asked about Cape Elizabeth, and Yarmouth being on the list of 1300 top schools in the nation. Where do we fall in that ranking?
Both school systems spend about the same amount per student.
I keep hearing about how we pay more than is recommended for technology, teachers, transportation, nurses, guidance etc so the kids get a better education. We should then be on that list.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:14 am
I come from a family of teachers (public and private school), and have an education degree myself, though I’ve homeschooled my children and they are currently in private school. I have never believed that more money equals a better education. Many private schools make do with FAR less per student than our richly funded public schools, so I don’t agree that throwing more money at the schools increases the quality of the education. Many increases support administration and peripheral positions, and I don’t think much extra money actually filters down into the classroom. So, having said that, I try to keep an open mind when these discussions arise but it is hard. While we may spend more per student here in SAD35, (or more than is recommended), perhaps there is more to the equation. Maybe Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth spend more directly on the student and less on admin, etc. It would be interesting to see where we fall in that ranking.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 am
Ladyjane,
I couldn’t agree more.
It seems that sometimes school systems forget the primary focus of their existance and end up spending on not educational related items pushing their budgets past what is acceptable.
When ever some one talks about cutting the budget, the immediate response is “oh, we’ll have to cut teaching staff.”
Try cutting the fat instead of the meat.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 am
I think the facts are that SAD 35 is way BELOW the average cost for per pupil in Maine, even in administrative cost per pupil. I think you will find if you research it that the financial “deal” of costs in SAD 35 are very favorable, and not excessive by those comparisons.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Things to know about the MSAD 35 school budget BEFORE you vote on Tuesday.
Article 3 of the MSAD 35 proposed budget includes the purchase of 6 laptops for School Board members at an expense of $6,000. These School Board members (with the exception of 1 has an e-mail address) which I would conclude that the School Board members already have access to a computer.) Cutting this budget line item would not affect the students.
Article 4 of the MSAD 35 proposed budget includes an unknown amount of money for the Facilities Manager to have a district van that he is allowed to take home to his home in out of state. When asked at the School Board budget hearing why he needs to have this car at his home, the Superintendent replied that he is on call 24/7 for any emergency. (Our fire department manages to get to an accident or a fire with out a town car). Gas & tolls for an employee at the Taxpayers expense?
Article 3 of the MSAD 35 budget does not include the raise for the Superintendent (the School Board will negotiate a higher raise for Administration after the budget is passed.). When asked at the meeting how much that would be, the School Board replied, “that would be determined after the vote”. Where will they find the money after the vote? Will another teacher be laid off? Our superintendent is the 2nd highest paid IN THE STATE!
Article 3 of the MSAD 35 budget includes the advertised position of Assistant Principal at the High School. Since the projected numbers at the High School are going down, wouldn’t it be fiscally responsible to put a hiring freeze on that position for this year. It would save the District about $100,000 (salary and benefits). Currently at the High School there is a Principal, an Assistant Principal, an Athletic Director and 5 Guidance Counselors, a Resource Officer and a competent support staff. (ref: www.msad35.net/mhs/HSContact.htm)
In the past, I have always supported the school district. This year the school budget has a 2.99% increase, the actual increase is 10% because of the loss of State Funding. Each municipality will be making cuts to their budget, with the prospect of the economy near a recession, the School Board should come up with more cuts, and they should come from the top. We always hear “We’ll have to cut the teachers”, when citizens ask for cuts. The teachers are who give MSAD35 their great reputation.
Please take a minute to look at the budget before you vote. It can be found at: http://www.msad35.net/board/FY09%20Warrant%20%20Articles.pdf, the district structure can be found at http://www.msad35.net/pdfdocs/orgchart.pdf)
We have great teachers in our district and many more coming up, getting experience and leaving. Who can blame them? They could make $5,000 or more just south of the border. Wouldn’t it be nice if the School Board changed would take a stand and say, “we don’t need $6,000 for 6 laptops, we can use our own” or the Superintendent announcing that he would state “In lieu of the current struggles of our communities, I will not take an increase this fiscal year.”
I encourage you to get informed before you vote. Our town made cuts in their budget, town workers are making sacrifices by reducing their hours and pay. Why won’t the School Board and Superintendent? YOUR TAXES WILL GO UP EITHER WAY…BUT HOW MUCH IS UP TO YOU.
PLEASE VOTE ON TUESDAY
June 9th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Catalina,
I brought up several of these questions at the budget vote Thursday night, specifically about the laptops, van for the facilities manager, plus the Superintendants salary plus housing allowance.
Two things I find very interesting.
I kept hearing the board say they are ALLOWED 7.2 people in the superintendants office, and that they meet that allowance, but they said nothing about what is actually NEEDED in the office.
The same subject brought up the point that the Assistant Superintendant’s pay and benefits come our of article two, for supplies and services etc, instead of the Superintendant’s budget. Why is this?
Is it because that would put them over the ALLOWED number of people in that office?
THe Assistant principle position is another item they are ALLOWED, but is it really NEEDED? It’s vacant now and the school hasn’t collapsed or lapsed into anarchy.
Another subject I find interesting.
5 nurses so we can have one in each school.
The high school has the largest student population, have a nurse there who can go to the Great Works school and Central School if needed.
The same for the Junior high nurse traveling the Eliot Elementary if needed.
The school district just filled a position which is solely for coaching field hockey at the high school. It this position really needed now?
Do we really need that many Guidance Councilors?
June 9th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
PS,
The attemp was made to make anyone who questioned the proposed budget feel like they had three heads.
How dare we ask questions when facing a 10.3% increase in local costs for the school?
I do believe that was part of what Thursday’s meeting was about.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I understand that these people are academics, but there seems to be no understanding whatsoever that we are entering into a severe and more than likely, prolonged, economic downturn.
The laptop situation is a slap in the face of the voters. As is the van. I have a couple of questions about that. Why a van? Is this person transporting 5-7 people around on call 24/7 and on a regular basis? Who is going to pay for the gas for this van? Projections are now for gas to be about $5.5 by Labor Day. I assume this cost is also expected to be born by the taxpayers.
For the cost of a van, we could hire an Economics teacher. That might prove to be a smarter move given what we see here.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I felt like the school board was looking for validation for all their hard work, rather than presenting a product on which public input is vital. While they work hard, we are not here to make them feel good about the work they’ve done - we are here vote on a business document that steers the whole school system. Making suggestions, offering alternatives and questioning decisions are all necessary to the whole process and should not be looked upon as anything but positive. Not so at the meeting. However, school budgets always pass here in town without a peep, so I’m not expecting anything different this time. I agree with Dave - they are ALLOWED a certain number of people, but can they accomplish the same task with fewer? Ditch the laptops, pay mileage for the few trips the employee in Exeter makes, and trim the fat. I know how I’ll be voting…. Plus, (then I won’t say anymore) the school system is lucky there are people like me (and there are quite a few of us in Eliot/SoBo) who send their kids to private school, or homeschool - because they still get the money for those children and spend every penny. That is extra money in my opinion - I don’t think they are good stewards of other people’s money.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I asked a question at the meeting about whether or not SAD 35 subsidizes school trips for athletes and class trips and got a very snide remark as an answer from one of the board members.
When they tried to move the warrant question, I had to assert myself and insist on an actual answer to the question.
I saw in todays paper that Kittery has opted to increase the per pupil cost for these trips so as not to past the increases on to the tax payer.
SAD 35 has not. The additional costs will be passed to the tax payers.
Specifically about article 9 which is the additional local costs for the school budget above and beyond what the stae allows, the article talks about hwo we pay 8% above the state average for teachers, administraion, guidance, nusring, technology, transportation etc.
If we pay 8% over the state average for just about everything, how could we possibly be middle to low average for the budget?
June 9th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
School taxes are not for personal services rendered (such as schooling your individual children). That argument they “still get the money for those children” who choose different alternatives is frankly rediculous. Democracy requires that we provide public schools. My kids are long gone from the schools, and I have the same legitimate responsibility to pay for schools as a family with 5-6 kids in the system. That kind of “consumer” argument decays democracy.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Sally,
I was talking to someone today and they had a great suggestion for the Facilities Manager. Why don’t we pay mileage when he’s called in on an emergency. This way he won’t be adding miles to the district van on a daily. She also asked if he received a W2 for the perk!
June 9th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Each school needs their own nurse on site. There are a lot of children in our district that are considered “medically fragile”. The nurse needs to be available at a moments notice.
June 9th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
$60,000 of the school budget is going to be spent on expanding parking at The Great Works School because one person doesn’t like having many cars parked on his street when there are school events. That one person is the same person that is going to meetings, holding everybody hostage as he tries to cut budget amounts left and right.
June 9th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Dave,
I have to agree with you on how they answer any question. They are vague! When asked, “How much for anything?” You get, “We’re average…not on the top or on the bottom” What’s that suppose to mean? I want dollar amount! We need to ask, “Where are the teachers salaries?” Average? I would really like to see the specific caparisons for teachers salaries. Similar positions, for example; 10 years with a master. If you look at our school district we have a lot of teachers with tenure. This would bring our salary averages up. But what happens when they all retire. I understand at one time we paid our teachers well. That’s what gave our school the great reputation that it has. The State School Profile web site is not up to date and only gives you averages,( minimum salary/ maximum salary).
I moved here just over 7 years ago and have seen administrative costs go through the roof. Not teachers salaries. PLEASE put the money where it counts! In order to attract good teacher and keep them, we have to pay and compensate them. We live on the seacoast and that’s what we have to compete with. I feel that if we have such a great administration (that warrants the salaries they receive ) they should know how to work more efficiently with less, not the teachers. I worked for a large company and they cut engineers in 1999 . Unfortunately the jobs went overseas. But they called them non-valued added positions. The workers held their jobs because they built the engines, machined the parts, and actually handled the material. They were considered “value added positions.” So are our teachers.
June 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Paul,
I believe the issue is cars blocking intersection, parking next to hydrants, etc.
All ticketable offenses. Peple are upset when they get a ticket for parking illegally.
The school is putting in 30 additional parking spaces because people insist on parking illegally instead of using the provided shuttles. At least that is what the school board has said.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Check out the following web site
http://www.psk12.com/rating/USindexphp/STATE_ME.html
This provides a list of school ranking based on the MEA scores from 2006
The high school ranks 23 of 138
The junior high ranks 33 of 224
Both in the upper percentiles, not too shabby.
The great works school ranks 269 of 418 which is the lower 50%
Eliot Elementary ranks 374 of 418
Central ranks 379 of 418
both in the bottom 25%
What happens to the junior high score when these students get there?
Same with the high school score.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I wonder who is calling the town police and telling them to go ticket those parents? Perhaps it is “you know who” that lives on Academy Street.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
OhComeOn, it doesn’t change the fact they are poor stewards of other people’s money. I didn’t say I didn’t want to pay, go read my post again. If you don’t have children in the school system then SAD35 isn’t getting any money alloted for your family. What is your point? My point is, my children and others’, are not using the system now, and we certainly have the right to. If they can barely make ends meet now, how do you think they’d do if ALL the eligible children went? I guarantee they wouldn’t have ‘enough’ money. THAT is my point. I don’t want the system changed, or to have democracy ‘decay’., I simply stated my opinion, like everyone else is doing here.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Paul,
You are absolutely right.
Why should the firetrucks be able to get down Academy street past the Great Works school due to the cars parked on both sides?
They can always go around to the other end.
The same is true for ambulances. Why worry about the extra 4 or 5 minutes it takes to respond for a heart attack.
Blocking a hydrant? No worries, we’ll wait until after the school function to fight the fire.
The point is that there are already alternatives available to these people with the shuttle, not to mention car pooling. They refuse to use them, which is why the School board decided to add the parking.
I don’t believe the School Board would listen to a recommendation from “you know who” to put in the parking lot.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Paul,
I have to apologize, that was unnecessarily harsh.
My point is though that blocking the road is unacceptable when there are alternatives available.
It is a safety issue for the people who live near the school.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Dave,
ALL the towns peopel have DIFFERENT issues. “You know whos” issue happens to be safety on HIS street. He is willing to have the taxpayers pay $60,000 for his issue.
“You Know Who” should realize that the town budget deals with many issues and is a compromise to meet the issue’s requirements and keep spending down.
Going to a town meeting and making amendment after amendment (while holding everyone hostage to his time schedule) to slash the budget without fully understanding the true situation is a real turn off.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Three things Paul.
Firstly, the $60,00 is not added to our tax increase, it is coming out of an account the School Board has.
Secondly, if someone parked on both sides of MY street, blocking the intersections blocking the hydrants, , and making it difficult to get down the street for a passenger car let alone an emergency vehicle, I’d be calling the police as well. Especially if they people doing so had been warned about it several times and had alternatives.
Thirdly, I personally have no knowledge who, if anyone is calling the police, but there are several houses right near the school who could be doing so.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
One other thing I heard at the School budget meetig that amazed me.
When asked how much money was in theschool distrct “undesignated” fund, the reply was 1.2 million dollars.
When asked why some of this money couldn’t be used to, for example, pay for the school board laptops and some other items, the response was “some of the money in this fund came from taxes on people who no longer live in town, and it wouldn’t be fair to them to spend it instead of taxing the current residents”
Does this mean they are going to contact all of these people to get their permission prior to spending any of this money?
Are they going to give it back to these people?
Now, I am not a believer in emptying an account like what happened with the town, but to state that they can’t spend this money because some people no longer live in town just seems ridiculous.
We all know that when the School Board wants something the voters turn down, they’ll pull money from that fund without worrying about the past residents.
It would not have put a significant dent in the budget, but the board could have used $50,000 to replace the 100 laptops in the COWs (budget item of $46,000) and purchase laptops for the board (budget item of $6,000.00.
They still would have had $1.950,000.00 in that account.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
1) We shouldn’t be buying the Board members computers. If they don’t already have and use computers in this day and age, they should not be on the school board.
2) Clearly, answer about using the undesignated funds was designed to “bedazzle you” Technically and legally it was profoundly wrong. Absolute, utter nonsense. People are not tracked down after leaving town and given back a portion of their taxes. Whatever taxes are due on a property or coming due at the time of a sale become a negotiating point between buyer and seller. But, I’m sure they thought the audience would be bedazzled long enough to move on briskly to the next question.
You do, however, have to give them points for creativity. This doesn’t sound like the kind of nonsense produced on your feet. So, this one must have been cooked up in advance. Kudos.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Sally,
I agree we should not be buying laptops for the school board.
As far as bedazzled goes, I thinks we were more shocked they would make such a statement.
As far as the undesignated fund goes, those were my own snide comments about how they could possibly use the funds for anything. They did not mention anything about tracking anyone down, they could made the statement that it wouldn’t be fair to the people who no longer live here.
I wouldn’t want to be unfair to anyone by putting words in their mouths.
They can do that on their own.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Does anyone who went to that meeting (I had to leave at 9 for babysitting reasons) think that the School Board heard what was being asked, so that next year they’ll be more frugal, more critical of their own process and more careful with the taxpayers’ hard-earned money, or, do you think it won’t make any difference at all? If not, what else can we possibly do? I know the budget will be approved because of the scare tactics presented - that every cut will lead to a decrease in the quality of the education.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Dave….
Well, if it wouldn’t be fair to the people, what would be? that was my point. we can’t spend it because it wouldn’t be fair…..so, i guess fair would be giving it back.
Shock at the answer is also good — it stops all discussion. these are political tactics, well known political tactics. You give an answer so inexplicable that no one can process it fast enough to come back before you get to take the next question. When you do this, you are looking for confusion or shock…..it works well..
They really executed here. You have to give them that.
And Jane, some of us aren’t so easy scared. I’m not voting for the budget. No. You know, the cost of that van could fund a teaching assistant.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Dave, Sally, LJ:
Run for school board. I think that’s the only way you can know enough to judge the infinite details your are speaking about. They got the “big picture” right. These details are nibbling around the edges.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
and LJ,
“SAD35 isn’t getting any money alloted for your family”
is the anti-democratic attitude I’m speaking to. No money is alloted to your or my family. It’s the community’s needs. Your statement, to me, is a consumer’s statement, and to me, that’s, well, offensive. My feeling.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Oh, have you ever heard the expression where there is one roach there are one hundred? Blatant padding of the budget with items like the van and the laptops says a great deal about how hard they tried to “rein in their spending”. Frankly, they seem entirely oblivious to what is going on in the real world now that taxpayers are dealing with. Completely oblivious. They shouldn’t be spending on items like these. If anything, they should be cutting away, and yet, asking for the same money as last year >>>> in order to create reserves to pay energy costs next winter.
They didn’t get the big picture right. There are no contingency plans regarding energy. Where is the money going to come from when heating oil costs $6 a gallon. The town did its budget based on oil at 3.20. This has the potential to add up to a huge, huge miss…..in the big picture.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
wow lets educate your self Paul. Last time I checked parking at or in ti middle of the intersection ,in front of fire plugs , wrong direction ect are things one would expect of children. the 60,000 in the budget today is way overpriced a few years ago the town offered to do the project for under 15,000. the school board voted no. the town can still do it for a lot less then 60,000.But Mr stone never did him homework. Do not think for one sec. that the extra 30,000 left over will not be spent elseware, This type of budget, will continue if we do not keep going to school meetings, It is called FAT. Ask about the new gas tank for the buses. it took him a few tries to figure out how to get the rack price he got it tucked to us the first couple of attempts. Now do not blame Mr C on academy street fo the parking problems caused by Yes the citizens and the school district.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Ladyjane,
It’s upsetting to think that you or your vote doesn’t matter. Change doesn’t come easy, but change is inevitable, for better or for worse.
I was talking to a woman at the ball field and asked her to look at the school budget, get informed and vote. I didn’t steer her one way or the other. Her response was, “it doesn’t matter it’ll pass anyway, it always does.” I am glad that you recognize it as scare tactics. Voting for or against a school budget doesn’t make you pro or anti education. I take my vote seriously , it’s my children, my community, and my money. If you don’t vote, you can’t complain on the outcome. I just received a call from the school informing me to vote. And it reminded me if it doesn’t pass they have to start all over. All over isn’t what I was thinking… just in administration would have satisfied most of us. Making cuts where there’s fat, doesn’t cut into the nutritional value of the meat. We are all facing tough times. If the budget passes, it’s the will of the people. If it fails, then the school board will finally get the message. Ladyjane, You can make a difference. If you don’t vote, you don’t matter!
June 9th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Will Mr Stone get a W-2 for the use of the school vehicle. He must as its the law. He must pay a tax as he is not considered exempt. Ask how many times he has been called in? Money from the taxpayer cannot be used for private purpose! Law I am going to vote no on the school budget! even one vote should send some form of message.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:20 am
The school board isn’t oblivious to what’s going on in our economy, they DON’T CARE, they’re arrogant and know that nobody will stand up to them as long as it’s “for the children”.
Last weekend I was heading up Rt 4 in Waterboro, and there low and behold the SAD 35 maintenance Dodge Ram was sitting in a driveway right on Rt 4. I’ve seen it there the last couple of times I’ve gone up there. How much are we paying in gas to let this guy take the truck home at night? Especially a Ram 2500 that gets a whopping 12MPG?
2 things come to mind:
1. When was the last time a bus was out in the middle of the night and required an “emergent” response?
2. If you live in Waterboro, don’t you have to drive right by the bus/town maintenance facility in Berwick to get to South Berwick or Eliot?
Arrogance folks. They’re not oblivious, they don’t care.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:19 am
OhComeOn,
So you say that the school board got the “big picture” right and advise that we run for the school board which is the only way to understand all the infinate details.
Since you have so much knowledge that they got the big picture right, and only being on the school board gives you that insight, does that mean you are on the school board?
June 10th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I know I am a broken record on this, but if our town had public access cable all citizens could watch school board meetings, town council meetings, workshops (often held at 5 PM and where no minutes are taken) so we could know about the details and the big picture. This should have been part of our negotiations with Comcast.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:41 am
OhComeOn, the state gets a head count of every eligible child in the district whether they are homeschooled (we have to file paperwork in order to do that) or in a private school (our kids go to one in NH and they have to report my children’s attendance to the state of Maine.) I believe one of the ways the state appropriates funds to towns is per eligible child. So, if you don’t have any children of school age in the district obviously there is no money awarded based on the eligible child. It is a simple process run and overseen by the State. And, yes, I’m a consumer, I have no issue with that. My hunch is you are a consumer, too if you buy or use anything on the face of this earth, like the computer you were just using. ‘Consumers’ are just getting more savvy here in town - perhaps that is why you’re offended?
June 10th, 2008 at 8:42 am
And, yes, Molly, public access cable would be a huge benefit. I wonder how much it would cost. I think I’ll be calling Comcast today.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Molly, I couldn’t agree more with the public access cable idea.
many of these meetings are held when many of use are either at work or on our way home.
I’m hard pressed to make the town meetings which start at 6:30, so anything earlier is impossible.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:55 am
ladyjane–the town is in the process of renegotiating our contract with Comcast. The last I heard the Town Manager has a final draft of the contract and needs to review it before it goes before the council for approval. Some towns make it a condition of the contract that Comcast provide public access cable channel. Our town elected not to do that. They say they are focusing on getting cable access to more residents–there are 284 homes that cannot get cable because there are no lines. I am very disappointed that our town did not push the public access channel more. The town of Eliot is also renegotiating their contract and some who are on their committee told me that were hoping that South Berwick and Eliot could push together for a public access channel since we share the school and both towns would benefit. I’m not sure what happened with this idea. I have heard various explanations.
I know it would cost something for cable, but it makes you wonder how much we might save if all towns people could participate and learn about town and school budgets.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Actually, i don’t think they are arrogrant. I really do think that they are oblivious due to a long held sense of entitlement based on the idea that they have made a huge sacrifice going to work for the public sector versus the private sector. This bred the deeply held belief that the private sector workers are much better off than they can ever hope to be.
Thing is, over the last eight years, things have changed dramatically. For the past six, the public vs. private has been roughly comparable. The last two…the economy has been in decline and looks like it is sliding headlong into a much deeper decline. The public sector jobs are just about the very best in town these days, with the annual raises and COLA raises. Couple that with the retirement bennies and health insurance and today, the school employees more than likely have a good percentage of the highest paying jobs in town. By a substantial margin. Think about it, how many salaried employees, not business owners, are making between 60K- 100K, have generous medical coverage, and guaranteed employment around here?
But they don’t see it that way. Nor, due to the past because it was true in the nineties that the public sector jobs were badly paid in comparison to the private sector. This perception was guaranteed to lead to a “culture clash”.
They probably won’t get it until a substantial number of the kids start come to school without the extra money to go on class trips or anything else.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Don’t forget, the teacher’s union is the largest union in the country, and knows how throw it’s weight around. I can’t imagine they will ever settle for anything but the cadillac of bennies. That was one of my father’s biggest gripes when he taught in public school. He did not like being part of the union.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:51 am
You’re right about the Union. It was in their best interest to promote the “woe is me” agenda. Ah, well. I will be voting against this today for two reasons. I really seriously resent them paying for their private cars and computers from the public trough, especially when they have done such horrendous planning with regard to the energy situation. It is going to be very interesting to see what happens when they face a huge shortfall in early January.
Maybe they plan to use their new laptops to trade the heating oil futures markets. For the public good, of course.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Well, I voted against it, too. I used to prepare annual budgets for a private school and I know there is always fat to be cut, no matter what is presented. Hidden items always exist. So, we’ll wait and see what happens. The Board has done what it has always done because voters have always allowed it. Now, perhaps, more and more voters are seeing that the Emperor really has no clothes. I’m hoping the fuel won’t be a huge issue, because it sounds like they tried to be a bit proactive filling the tank when the cost was lower, and having the ability to switch to natural gas (or propane? can’t remember which.) Although it would help if they’d lower the thermostats a bit like we are all being urged to. They might even have to dip into that nifty little reserve of money.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Fuel is going to be an enormous issue this coming winter. Natural gas/propane is also screaming higher.
They made minimal prep for the situation and appear to have no contingency plans. That reserve will be gone before the end of next winter. You can count on it.
Given the size of the buildings involved, it would not be at all surprising to see them back before the town petitioning for additional funding.
June 10th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I think they are arrogant also.
There were some excellent arguments against that van issue. I think most people there realized it was a bit much. When the vote to amend that article failed, I realized that they were not going to cut a penney out of the budget. If they think that van is deserved, then that says a lot to me. Why couldn’t they throw us a bone on that one?
I left right after that one (along with several others)
Do you think the people of Eliot and So. Berwick are divided on this? Maybe the Eliot people are not facing quite as bad a situation overall?
And I thought they were VERY well prepared. Someone upthread gave them kudos for their tactics. I agree. They were good. There are a lot of ways you can make the school budget sound like the school is in dire trouble.
And why did that Lady in the white blazer (on the panel) keep saying that we should have gone to the many workshops they had?
Did anyone know about them, and go to them? Just wondering.
June 10th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I did know about one of the workshops but it was held at a time that I was unavailable. Not sure whether going would have made a difference, as at least one of the voters in attendance attended several of the workshops and said he brought up the very same issues and they ALL made it onto the budget. So, what’s the point of bothering to go?
June 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
In respect to the school board, we should have tried harder to attend a work shops. Maybe they should have tried harder to inform us. This has been a great forum to get different opinions. But, on the other hand I have to agree with Ladyjane, I have gone to meetings in the past and it‘s death by over analysis with no conclusion. Please take a moment and look at the minutes from the meetings (http://www.msad35.net/board/SchoolBoard.htm) notice the trend as they vote on issues.
As for the teachers and unions, I felt as if they were held hostage at the meeting. In unison they voted as the administration wanted. Not even a spouse dare question their budget. In fear of what the school board or administration would do. Imagine standing up as a tax paying teacher in the district, question the budget, and then in the future have to ask for a family leave. What do you think might happen? Maybe next time I have to ask the school board for anything the vote might not be in my favor.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
great point Catalina. There were several teachers and spouses/significant others in the room that night. That would make them an organized group. I think it’s time we get organized. We need to have meetings after the meetings and make sense of some of this stuff. Maybe the numbers are right, but how do we know? They show up in groups (teachers/staff and family members) we show up as individuals. We need a group of citizens dedicated to fiscal responsibility and sensible taxation. We’re not anti school or anti fire department or anti town government, we just want to be an informed group. Otherwise we’re just a bunch of individuals.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I am a Great Works teacher and I’m writing to clarify what Mr. Webster stated regarding the ranking of the Great Works School, along with Eliot and Central Schools.
On the website noted, schools were ranked by taking the average MEA scores in both reading and math of students in grades 3, 4 and 5. As you know, Great Works School has only 4th and 5th grades, while our two elementary schools have only third graders taking the MEAs. Therefore, this particular ranking is very deceiving. If you add the scores from Eliot and Central to the scores of the Great Works School (thus comparing apples and apples) you will see that our total score would be 2687, which would put us at 26th out of 403 elementary schools. This puts us in the top 10% in the state of Maine.
To think that misquoted or misunderstood statistics could have an effect on today’s voting is disheartening, to say the very least. People contributing to this blog have the obligation to be as accurate in their claims as possible.
June 10th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
EM,
You are correct about the accuracy of statistics, which is why I always try to add the link to whatever data I find.
Doing so gives you the opportunity to rebut, as well as providing the information for others to come to their own conclusion.
Now, you state that people contributing to this blog have an obligation to be accurate, does that not also fall to the school board in the information they put out?
Shouldn’t the school board be putting out as much information as openly as possible so that people do not have to guess?
June 10th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
EM,
Thank you for clarifying that. I had a feeling that the previously stated statistics were grossly skewed. You confirmed that. I applaud all of the teachers in our district. You all are some of the most dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
June 10th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I am a employee of MSAD #35 and I voted no on the budget. The laptops, van and the administrative raises are but a few of the things that could be eliminated. I now realize that the budget did indeed pass but it did not pass by a wide margin. Hopefully the people of South Berwick and Eliot are asking questions and demanding answers. Lets not forget that the school board works for us and they should be cutting expenses , not adding them.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
The school has never been challanged. It is about time and needs to continue . the admin need to take notice to this years vote thay did not win when you look at what thay have been cought at. top pay with no care. but they will always go after people by cutting sports and teachers jobs. That is why there on top. Look after yourself first.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I agree John. It happens in every town and city across the land. They pull out the trump card and start talking about cutting sports,music, arts and special ed. People immediately retreat and they get what they want. Its a proven tactic.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:03 am
And it worked like a charm last Thursday bss.
I wonder if the board was concerned over the fact that they did not win by a large margin. I’ll bet you are right John C. They do not get challanged. Wonder if they were surprised with anything they heard from the people last week.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I did see in the Letters to the Editor section of the Foster’s that there is a meeting posted for the APT (Association of Portsmouth Taxpayers). It appears as though they are very well organized….
June 12th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I wouldn’t be interested in participating in an anti-tax group that stirs up resentment against any kind of taxes. I would be interested in supporting a group that learns about and informs the community about expenditures and advocates for frugality.
June 30th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Has I passed the Great Works School today I seen on the board School Board Meeting July 28, I think was the date. Wat a big JOKE those meetings are, no body wants to make the board accountable for there blind site that they have to start being better spending the vtax payers money. It is pretty bad when there is a vote comming up that all the employies of Sad 35 get an E-mail from the supertendent stating that they better show up and pass the budget or they will be looking for a new job.
Yes I’m really upset with the board and Supertendent!
July 1st, 2008 at 8:47 am
A perfect example of why we need to keep investing in our schools.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:43 am
That is very nice of you to point that out, Anonymous.
I will view the post by Mr. Chagnon to be an example of taxpayer concerns.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:45 am
Just curious Molly if you are aware that the Portsmouth Group is in fact an anti tax group that stirs up resentment as you say. That is a pretty harsh statement if it was directed towards that group. They may in fact be a group of citizens trying to educate themselves and others.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
bss–I personally find some of the statements of some of their members divisive–calling taxes they don’t agree with “imperial taxes” and referring to people who support taxes as “kings.” People may join them because they are trying to educate themselves. My statement referred to my personal opinion that I am not interested in being involved in a group that is against taxes of any kind. I think we have to figure out how to balance all of the interests and needs of citizens. People’s opinions vary widely about what they think is important, fair, reasonable and worthy of tax support. Rather than being involved in a effort that starts with a preconception like “all taxes are bad” or “all taxes are good” I would rather engage in a process where people of different views and opinions come together and try to look at the middle ground where most real solutions are found.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I apologize to Mr. Chagnon for the sarcastic nature of my comment; it was uncalled for. He has a right to express his displeasure with the current situation. I just get a little fed up when people make accusations about the intention of the broadcast e-mail sent by Dr. Bearden. The purpose was to inform people about the meeting. He never threatened any district employees (who, by the way, would not be eligible to vote on the budget unless they reside in South Berwick or Eliot). Gosh! Why can’t we just work together instead of finger-pointing and thinking the worst of people!
July 1st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
anonymous- one minute you are lashing out at somebody the next you’re apologizing. One minute you are acting like a complete jerk the next you want to work together. Before you make a comment in the future take a deep breath or go for a walk.. perhaps you may not have to keep apologizing. We’re all just trying to express ourselves. You may or may not agree, that doesn’t give you the right to slam somebody. Grow Up.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
and thank you Molly. I was really curious. Somtimes it’s hard to get information and facts. At times this year I found myself confused on some issues despite making every effort to attend meetings. Just looking for solutions.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I thought anonymous’ original post was quite funny. I got from it a frustration with the ill-informed accusation about a superintendent’s email. Mr. Chagnon had it all wrong, used this blog to spread irresponsible misinformnation, and, in my opinion, that act should not be defended.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Really anonymous 2? I found the original post quite mean.
And I think he did the right thing in owning it and apologizing.
I don’t know how you know that Mr. Chagnons post was “all wrong”, but I’ll defend anyone who gets a jab like that.
But thanks for your opinion.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I agree w/ anon2. Blatent misinformation should not be spread under the guise of “fee blog speech”. That kind of unfound accusation just whips up false reactions, and does not translate into legitimate concerns about public policy or expenditures. The fact is, the majority of voters favored the SAD budget, in both towns. That’s the long and short of it.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
But what are you basing that on? You sound very sure that Mr. Chagnons post is “blatent misinformation” and an “unfounded accusation”. Maybe you are right, but I don’t know that, and I’m sure many others do not know either. And what is exactly wrong with “free blog speech”? I understand this blog to be about “News, Information, Rants, Raves and Musings about life in So. Berwick”.
I guess it’s not always fun to read other opinions that you don’t share, but one of the reasons I like this blog is to hear how my fellow townspeople are feeling and thinking. I think it’s pretty arrogant to complain about, or make fun of another post, no matter what you think about it.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Oh, and I forgot to say that I think it’s great that Mr. Chagnon put his real name on his post. No, I don’t know this man at all, but I think it’s cool that he did that.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:40 pm
My point was about the email. The superintendent did not threaten school employees to “show up and pass the budget or they will be looking for a new job”. That’s outrageous and irresponsible. If Mr. Chagnon had access to such an email, then show it. Why didn’t he? It did not exist. That’s propoganda that is irreponsible.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
bss and Edward- I apologized and said that my comment was uncalled for. I don’t believe that anymore needs to be said of it. The horse is already dead, so let’s stop beating it, if you please.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:51 pm
It’s a bit ironic that someone who stays anonymous on here can throw stones at someone who owns up to their opinons by posting their name.
You have not provided any proof to contradict Mr. Chagnon’s assertion. Not knowing either one of you, I would tend to believe the one who doesn’t hide in the shadows of internet anonymity until he’s proven otherwise.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
there is a way of going about saying somethingwithout picking on somebody’s education level or their typing skills. One would come off as being much more mature and less arrogant by stating that misrepresentations are irresponsible. We all agree on that. Perhaps, Mr. Chagnon has probably been misinformed.
I rarely go back and proof read my postings, perhaps I should or may be attacked for it.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
ummm..OK. Only referred to it in one other post. Sorry. My point is that people should just show more respect and tolerance of one another.
Peace.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Here is the text of the e-mail which was sent via the Coonect-ED Communication system on June 4:
“Good evening, this is Jeff Bearden, SAD 35 Superintendent of Schools. I am calling to remind parents and staff members of the very important District Budget Meeting to be held tomorrow evening, June 5th at 7pm at Marshwood High School. I encourage parents and staff to attend this meeting and exercise your right to vote on the 2008-2009 district budget.
Thank you and have a good evening.
Good-bye”
I don’t read anything threatening in the e-mail.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
There you have it. Mr. Chagnon misrepresented this commincation. I think irresponsibly, probably intended, but irresponsible none the less.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I meant UN-intended. sorry!
July 1st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
It sure takes little to get a few of you running in highgear. Informed is not required to post here. Just go back and read some past post .I belive one should attempt to become informed including you . Have the facts as you can back I belive Mr. chagnon is well informed. He has been a resident a lot longer then most of you here. But this is not the first year employee,s were Strongly advised show up to vote. This is an informed comment as it has been the advise of admin for many years. Just start attending meetings you will then understand the informed mindsst!!! oop,s sorry my typing not so good how do you usee the spellcheckker on this bloogg,s Iam bad!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:04 am
John - you have no idea how long I’ve lived here; as though that means something. By the way, it’s long enough to have grown children. So if “informed” is not desirable, you might as well just make things up all the time. “or they will be looking for a new job” is outrageous to me. Complete fabrication. To me that’s irresponsible, written as though it were fact, when it was a lie.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 am
Just like Fox News!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:57 am
Actually, how long a person has lived in a certain area does mean something to some of us. Others should respect that. That does not mean that if you have lived in a town your entire life that you have anymore clout than someone who moved in a few years ago.
This town used to be a lot different. When I went to the school system, we didn’t have trailers next to the schools. I think my graduating class of 83 was about 135 (including the Eliot kids as well of course).
What I am trying to say, (probably not very well), is that there are a lot of people who lived here before we got all these services we have now.
As the population has dramatically grown, the services have increased, and the taxes have gone up, up and up.
I think a person who has lived here a long time and is having a hard time paying their taxes has a right to be a little resentful. I’m not saying I think it’s the right way to be, but I think people can be a little understanding and tolerant when they vent their frustrations. Don’t take it as a personal attack. Whatever.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:08 am
Ed,
When the “fathers” of S. Berwick sold the land and developed Agamenticus Estates and Old Mill, they were looking for about 3,000 people to reward them with house sales, and the Town doubled. What did they think would happen? All these families come in do what they were told?
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:10 am
By the way, I lived here and saw tha happen. I don’t resent it. The town is a different and richer place because of the combination of all people that live here. Things have evolved. It won’t return.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
Very good.
I don’t know who the “town fathers” are, but I believe you are absolutely correct. Things have evolved and no, it’s not the same place as it was. There are people who have also been here for a long time who had nothing to do with the developement of these projects.
I know there are some who are having a very hard time being able to afford to keep up with the taxes. Some of us live paycheck to paycheck and I sure as heck don’t want to apply for fuel assistance this fall, but if I have to, I guess I have to.
When you say a place is “richer place”, that is good that you feel that way. Some would say it was richer before. I have no resentment for anyone who wants to move here. I don’t like it much when someone buys a cheap property because it’s on a dirt road, and then demands it paved once they move in. That is one example of what I’m talking about, and I will not go any further with it.
I would like to stay here. I finally became a property owner here two years ago and am a little worried about coming up with the money for the large tax increase heading my way. It’s not like I can give up my vacation, because I haven’t taken one in years. Some people really are in a tight spot. It’s not about stopping anything from changing, (although the library moving into St. Michaels is beyond absurd).
It’s about being able to afford the cost of living. It is a concern for some of us. Do you think any of us don’t want the best school system or library around? We do! But we also want to be able to make ends meet.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:01 am
Anon 2 wow you are a great source!! keep up the great work at hiding ,If I have no way of knowing who you are I can only belive your a fabricator at large. Make an attempt to get it right PLEASE!!!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Anon2 In south berwick I want to belive we raise our children and Grow gardens!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Edward, agreee with all of your comments, FYI I was born in South Berwick, been here all my life, except for the 20 years I was in the USMC, and came back here. I love this town and it really gripes me to see how it is going. Higher taxes every year and the School Board doesent really care, because they are making the bucks, but there are a lot of people that can not afford these perks. And when you go to a School Board meating they do not want to hear from joe Tax Payer. There is no need for all these Assistences that we have. That is where the tax money is going. It is time that the people that are in these top paying jobs do them and stop hiring more assist. Yes I’m riped and I wish the Citizens in both towns would get riped to! Sorry to be such a big grouche, but it must be my 71 years of age.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Mr. Chagnon I think you have some legitimate concerns.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:26 am
by “Fathers” I mean life long residents of S. Berwick (at the time in the mid-80s).. They made their money… Please look at any town around us, or state-wide for that matter. The same financial pressures exist as in SB. I think in SB we are very responsible economically. Things cost a lot more, in all areas. To conclude that SB is screwing it up doesn’t make sense to me; SB is doing well.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Arthur and Edward,
Your points are very well laid out, and well said.
I guess since you are both talking about the school budget, I don’t understand what Anon2 is getting at with the “Fathers”
I know from recent experience that if you go to a school board meeting and want to talk about reducing costs, you are looked at as if you had three heads.
Not only do they not want to hear it, they are outraged that we would bring it up, and question them.
Anon2, you say that everything costs more.
That is true for everyone, includiong the people who’s taxes are going to be raised.
Since the cost of everything is skyrocketing, it is not unreasonable to ask for fiscal restraint from the town and school.
All I heard at the school budget meeting was that because something was ALLOWED, they refused to consider cutting it.
That does not mean what was allowed is actually needed.
A good example is the assistant principle position at the high school.
The student population is going down. We are just around 60 students away from having to consolidate according to the state laws.
The board even said that if it continues that they may need to cut that position anyway.
Since it is vacant, and the school has not collapsed, or lapsed into anarchy, they could easily have canceled that posiiton.
But because it is ALLOWED, they are going to go ahead and fill the position.
To me, that is a blatent disregard for the people in both South Berwick and Eliot.
In South Berwick, it has been estimated that the taxes will go up aroung $600.00 for a $250,000.00 house.
That works out to around $50.00 per month extra.
There are quite a few retired people who bought their houses years ago, and who’s houses are valued around that amount if not higher, and can not afford an extra $50.00 a month and still be able to eat and heat their houses.
Do we tell them not to worry because there is an assistant principle at the school making sure their grandchildren are getting a good education?
Do we tell them not to worry because the Superintendant has a housing allowance because it’s more expensive here that it is in Presque Isle?
Do we tell them not to worry, because the Facilities Director got a 10% raise to offset these higher costs?
Its a good thing the Community center does those meals for people over 50, alot more people are going to need that this coming winter.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
THANK YOU DAVE, I agree with every thing you said!
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Dave, on what do you base your assertion that the assistant principal role is expendable? I’m sure you would admit that your statement “Since it is vacant, and the school has not collapsed, or lapsed into anarchy, they could easily have canceled that positon,” is a little flippant. Do you have any direct and current experience with the school? Do you have kids there now? My kids will be heading there in too few years, so my perspective may differ from yours. Maybe that position is not needed — but I’d like to hear some real facts about what the role provides to the school in order to form my opinion.
Regarding our rising property taxes, I just received a flyer in the mail from Peter Bowman, on which it mentions a new Maine law which “allows a municipality the option to adopt a senior citizen volunteer program in exchange for property tax relief… residents who are at least 60 years of age [could] earn property tax benefits up to a max. of $750 through volunteer services to the community.”
Sounds good to me, but I’m not in that age group yet, so I’d like to hear some reaction to this idea from those it affects.
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Well, Sue,
There are currently 2 assistant principles at the high school with a posted opening for a third.
Do we need three for the number of students there?
Could that position be reposted in 2 or 3 years when it may be more necessary?
As far as my post being flippant, it is no more so than being told that because the position is allowed, (NOTE: not needed but allowed) they are keeping it in the budget.
If it was needed, then why did they not say so?
My son graduated from the high school recently, so I do have some experience there.
I saw that mailing from Peter Bowman today too, after my post.
That’s great for the senior citezens who can manage that time, how about the ones who can’t for health or other reasons?
Do you know if South Berwick participates?
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Those were my first thoughts as well, Dave, that many seniors might not be able to participate for health or mobility reasons. But, on the other hand, I am involved with a community service organization that would welcome the participation of seniors who can, and they might enjoy it a lot. There could be many ways to help make such a system work for everyone.
I tried to find out more at Bowman’s website, but didn’t. By the way, the website to reach Bowman is http://www.mainesenate.org/bowman. Make note of it because the URL printed on the flyer doesn’t work (case sensitive, the B in Bowman must be lower case.)
I also agree that the allowed vs needed issue in the school budgeting process has me wondering. I’m going to find out more about it.
I’ll try to find out more about both these things… but it’s July 4, so it won’t happen this weekend.
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Dave, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
You make some great points.
I remember going to the budget meeting on June 5th, and having the exact same impression. There was a woman from Eliot who had a lot of good questions on how they could cut 2% overall from the budget. They did act like she had three heads. I could tell by her demeaner and tone that she was getting frustrated by the way they kept dismissing her.
And by the way. In my opinion, there is nothing more flippant then to hear people say “Oh, get over it, everyone’s taxes are high”. It’s pretty easy for some to have that attitude. They seem to like to make it sound like those of us who are concerned about the higher taxes are ignorant, cheap or against change and growth. They don’t seem to be able to get it through their heads that we just want to be able to support ourselves, contribute to society and feed our families. And to some of us, we are just making it as it is now.
Maybe they do realize that we exist, but just don’t care.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:33 am
SUe,
I agree that this plan can benefit many of the seniors.
This is the first I have heard of it.
The other thing to look at sounds kind of negative, and I don’t mean it that way.
The State of Maine has a history of funding these programs through raising taxes.
We already have enough problems with Maine’s taxe rates.
I don’t mind funding the tax relief for seniors, but there are probably some programs the state currently funds that are not as beneficial.
I saw an article in the paper the other day, the cost of registering your vehicle is going up, I believe, $20.
This is to pay for the bridge repairs that are needed.
What will they increase to pay for this new tax relief program?
July 4th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I believe the assistant principal position being advertised is one of two which is vacant due to resignation. Do we need three assistant principals? - no. Do we need two for the number of students?- I believe so. The upper administration is where I believe cuts should come- not where the rubber hits the road in the school halls and classrooms. Not that long ago, we had a superintendant who did curriculum and an assistant supreintendant that looked after business matters for the district. In about 10 years, we have grown the administration to Superintendant, Assist. Superintnedant, Business Manager, Building supervisor, Bus manager,… and assorted secretaries. All at high salaries with full time benefits and perks.(we do not know what their retirement match is). The intent of the state’s school consolidation law was to limit and consolidate this type of non-classroom growth. I believe we need a curriculum administrator and a business manager. Good communication with janatorial staff and the business manager can run things on a day to day basis. Regular building reviews and 5 year maintenance plans by consulting firms (paid for once every 3-4 years and no benefit packages) can help schedule routine capital maintenance projects. Performance contracts well written would compensate for not having a clerk of the works on a daily basis. Curriculum ultimately depends on the quality of teachers applying it. That much, we seem to be doing right. I am told that we have the highest paid superintendant in the State. If this is true, then I would expect he would also be the highest qualified superintendant in the state. I would expect to see inovation -not only in the classroom, but also within how the district is administered. We ARE efficient in our costs per student, but could we be more so in these difficult times. I am not convinced that attending the school board workshops would have resulted in additional cuts or refinements to the budget. Within the structure of their meetings the school board did not include a deliberation session after their public hearing. Is not a public hearing supposed to be where the public attends to air their opinions and the board is supposed to “hear” then integrate those comments - if justified, into their proposed budget. I believe there were some very justified cuts suggested at the public hearing… yet the public was sadly, not heard. Ultimately, change will need to come through the election process. Eliot required a write-in candidate to fill Dr Gilbert’s seat on the board. Will South Berwick have the same level of apathy?
July 6th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Someone suggested to me recently that those of us who feel there are issues with the school board spending need to really lobby the school board members, because they tend to hear only one side of the argument otherwise. I am of two minds - while I agree that I could have/should have been more vocal earlier in the process, on the two occasions I’ve been to school board meetings over the past month I have seen the level of disregard given to concerned citizens. I find several of the school board members to be downright rude, and two, including the superintendent, are rather condescending. It does not seem to be an inclusive process, nor one that seeks public input. That, to me, is the bigger problem.
July 6th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I have found it more effective to contact the school board members on an individual basis. Doing so reduces the “lemming” effect. It also reduces the sense of time constraints that is often present at school board meetings.
July 6th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
The fact of the matter is that the school budget passed. If there are enough of us concerned with the tax increases in this town, then the one clear way to get that message across is to vote NOT to approve the school budget. It appears that either a majority of voters were ok with the budget, or there was not enough interest to prove otherwise. I guess what really steams me about all of this and about some of our town spending, is that I am getting asked to spend a lot more for everything: the cost of fuel has nearly doubled since last year and this has caused the price of food and other products and services to increase. I have to make more careful choices about how to spend my money since I seem to be giving so much more of it away. If we have to carefully consider our household spending due to current economic conditions, there is no reason why the school board could not do the same.
July 6th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
They did.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
OK, anon 2, I concede that my statement is an oversimplification. I do believe that our students get an excellent education from our school system and the school board works hard. But I am still of the opinion that our property tax bills are getting too high and should not continue to rise at the current rate.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
YES, spend more of our money!