Tonight is the public hearing. After, the budget committee will meet again to determine if they think bigger cuts need to be made and I can tell you from watching the furious nodding of some of the committee members last week, I would bet that more cuts are coming.
This year the enrichment program is being cut, with 5.5 total positions being eliminated. Will it be sports next year? Maybe they'll cut transportation (i.e. bussing. We go above and beyond what's required now.) Maybe it's the number of classroom teachers. So what are you going to do about it?
At the meeting last week, there was discussion about what the taxpayer "gets" from the salary increases associated with the new collective bargaining agreement. Apparently kids "getting" an education isn't enough.
There are certainly members of committees and of the community who I believe are short sighted, if not irresponsible. But isn't it up to the rest of us to show up, take a stand and say "this isn't who we are?" And shouldn't that include parents, teachers and everyone interested in quality education and in our town as a whole?
The public hearing is tonight at 7pm in the Town Hall auditorium. The Deliberative session will be Saturday February 2nd, with the school portion beginning at 1pm.
Of course we're all busy. Jobs, kids, sports, friends, family, etc. And talking about teachers' salaries isn't nearly as exciting as talking about buying land for a potential new school. I get that. But people need to be there. A school board member pointed out that for every person who she hears say that they don't trust the School Board, she hears from 10 that support the School Board and their mission. Let's prove her right.
I was mighty disappointed at the lack of voices last night at the public hearing. There has been a lot of chatter on different Facebook pages that criticize, comment, and outright question the school board and the superintendent. Not one of those people were in attendance. Yeah, I get it too, we are busy. But we make time for our priorities. Would it benefit a person to take and hour off of work to fight for lower taxes? Would it help a cause to write an email to be read aloud if you can not attend? In all honesty the DISCUSSIONS on face book really don't mean a thing until they are brought up at the appropriate place and time. If this year's deliberative session is anything like last year's, many people will be told that the comments they have should have been addressed at the public hearing. And for others to say, 'Our vote will be our voice'. Yes, I would say you are correct. Although, in my opinion, that might be a bit passive and reactionary versus working together and really trying to find ways lower taxes. Unless the name blame game is how you roll?
ReplyDeleteWell said Toni and Nicole.
ReplyDelete