Published April 18, 2012 in the Rutland Herald
Springfield board ousts Superintendant
By Christian Avard
Staff Writer
SPRINGFIELD — School Board members in Springfield decided not renew the superintendent’s contract after a lengthy closed-door meeting.
The decision came late last week after the board met for two and a half hours in executive session.
Springfield School Board Chairman Scott Adnams said Tuesday Perotti will serve out his contract which ends June 30, 2013.
“At some point there will be a bigger discussion (about our next move) but that’s about where we are now,” Adnams said. “We were just at the point in the contractual plan where had to make a decision and we decided at the time not to renew it.”
The school district has come under fire recently for the alleged misuse of seclusion rooms at Elm Hill Primary School, parking and traffic concerns and a failure to pass a $27 million school budget on Town Meeting Day. Adnams would not say if any of these issues influenced the decision.
“I’m sure everything that happens has an impact. I can’t say that any one item mentioned was a direct result,” Adnams said.
Perotti accepted the School Board’s decision but he defended his record as superintendent.
“All of these things are what a superintendent deals with as a matter of course. Sometimes things go smooth and sometimes they take more work. But in all cases the outcomes have been positive,” Perotti said.
During his tenure, Perotti was instrumental in establishing a strategic plan for the school district. The plan included a 100 percent graduation rate for Springfield High School students.
Prior to Perotti’s arrival, Springfield High School had a 70 percent graduation rate. Perotti said he, faculty, and school administrators implemented structural changes in all facets of learning and high school graduation rates improved.
Preschool programs were also enhanced under Perotti’s tenure. In 2007, 24 percent of all incoming kindergarten students were adequately prepared for learning. Now it is 60 percent, which is well above the state average, according to Perroti.
Preparing students for new testing will be a primary focus for the remainder of Perotti’s tenure. In 2014, students will switch from New England Common Assessment Program testing to Smarter Balance and Common Core testing.
The NECAP exam is a test for high school students to assess skills in mathematics, reading, science and writing. Smarter Balance is a test based on common core national standards and is more rigorous than NECAPs, according to Perotti.
“It’s a 21st century assessment and it requires kids to research online, collect and analyze information and the tests will be online. I want to get that sense of urgency conveyed to parents and teachers,” Perotti said. “I intend to continue to provide high quality superintendent services and continue with the work we’ve been doing.”
Perotti’s career in education began in 1968 when he was a National Teacher Corps Intern in inner city schools in Omaha, Neb., according to the school district’s website. He grew up on a dairy farm in Millerton, N.Y., and received a degree in Agricultural Economics and Business Management from Cornell University.
Perotti taught several grades throughout his career, including special education and high risk students. He was also an elementary and middle school principal, director of special education, an assistant superintendent and a consultant for the Northeast Regional Center for Drug Free Schools and Communities.
Perotti was hired as Springfield’s superintendent in 2008 and is now entering his sixth and final year.
His annual salary is $123,800 plus benefits.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZPFoDU2No37MFxtxL21GQWcUzU8AIvd2EtRKtw7vzURUBvGk-5JAigCW8mD7sxqlLPpq1-zG-1a64sThjfpfZPvYf3UgYTG61vEAyEFoVfssCwWO4IbV8PlYVdm9hsOqoVNgrcrR-uU6/s400/Frank_Perotti-.jpg
What a wonderful way to start the day!!!! Thank-you school board for listening to the people!!! I bet the budget will pass this time!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now if we could only find out about how much it cost for Park Street. Hopefully Steve will have the answers, and wont forget to bring his information to the next school board meeting. By the way did his contract get signed?
ReplyDelete"Ousts" is a bit strong. They decided not to renew his contract, so he has another entire school year to impede progress and mismanage the Springfield School System. It's half a step in the right direction, I guess, but outright and immediate termination would have been a better solution.
ReplyDeleteWith a little luck he'll start looking, find something else and resign...
ReplyDeleteDefinte positive step for SSD. Now we need to hope the next hiring commitee will be extra careful, and find someone who is a good fit for our situation.
This is clearly a step in the right direction. I have to say that this will be a huge leap for the residents to start putting their trust back in the school board. BUT- we are not out of the water yet.
ReplyDeleteWe have a budget coming up for vote. My own opinion is that the board should ask for his resignation. There is much trepidation with voters that the board will reverse its decision of non-renewal. That type of action has been pretty standard within the schools to say one thing and then do another. So the decision or announcement to not renew was a start but I feel pretty confident that the residents and VOTERS would like to see either a resignation or immediate "ousting" to feel confident that the board will keep its word.
I know that the current budget proposed really wasn't enough of a cut for me personally. After looking over the expenses I felt that what should have been submitted was something in line with last years. There is no reason why for example the thermostat at the schools couldnt be turned back in the winter. That has always been a complaint of mine when I would come into the middle school and windows in classrooms would be open because it was so blasted hot in the classroom. It is pretty bad when student dont wear winter coats to school because the school is way to hot. That is one cost cutting measure that should have been considered.
I applaude the board for this news but I still have to vote no and I urge other voters to do the same. Im sorry the situation is out of control cost wise and I have to vote no this time around again. To the school board..I feel good faith will come if we see you properly oust the problem because I do question your commitment at this point!
^^^ yea how about we vote "no" and keep voting "no," im sure that will solve the problem. NO, vote yes, give the schools what they need to become succesful, voting no is just going to set them back more, if you want the schools to be strong again you need to vote yes and you need to start now, putting it off for next year is not the right state of mind. If you want people to come to springfield, that will help you reduce your tax dolalrs down and get this town going again, it starts with our schools, vote yes and let's not put it off, start now by voting yes!!!
ReplyDeleteNope you are very wrong. Statistics have shown that throwing money at a problem school does not fix the problem.
ReplyDeleteUntil Dr. Perotti is completely out of the system I will not vote yes to anything. Too many times I have witnessed this system say and announce one thing and then turn on their word and do the EXACT opposite that they agreed to.
The notion that this budget is remotely needed is evidence of the ineffective management style of the community and even more exhibits the sheep like ignorance the public has that they haven't been taken advantage of. I am not sure what information you have been told that would make you think that a "yes vote" for the new budget will reduce taxes but you are sadly misinformed. It raises the school tax rate significantly. The little bit that the system agreed to reduce amounts to pennies on the dollar over the amount that is above the current budget amount. Sorry not getting a vote of yes from me. Frankly I think some soul searching is long overdue by the board members who openly allowed this mess to get to where it currently is and there is more to come.
The budget actually calls for less amount of revenue to be raised by local property taxes this year than last year. Moreover, the actual tax rate is much much lower than is reported for the majority of residents because of the adjustments made based on each property owner's income. If you have an issue with the heating system, contact Fitzpatrick, bring it up at a school board meeting, get it addressed. Don't just sit back and vote a school budget down so that teachers, sports and programs are cut.
ReplyDeleteVoting now for a budget because you don't like how the heat works in a school building does not get that problem fixed, it only adds more problems. If you want changes, show up, tell the school board. If you just want to cause problems, please rethink what you are doing.
AMEN!!!!!!
DeleteFirst of all I didn't say I was voting no because of the heat situation. I was giving one example of the excessive waste in the school system. My point was in 4 buildings by turning the heating system back during winter which as we know is a huge expense in the budget that HAS to be spent, by setting the thermostat back to a level which is still tolerable for the staff and students, would eliminate or cause a savings of well into 100k dollar range. So that was used as an EXAMPLE of the waste, not a reason, why I am voting NO.
DeleteI think it is ignorant for you to suggest or imply that anyone would "want to cause problems". Guess what dimwit, I am entitled to my opinion. Again, that is an example of the pompous attitudes of the school system to browbeat and make excuses for the failure, shortcomings, mistakes and inadequacies that have led to this situation.
Like the other responses below I too am sick of paying teachers and staff who are ill equipped to handle the rigors that their profession requires. An example of this would be the situation at Elm Hill. Please explain why in the hell we are paying ANY administrator in any school a salary who doesn't readily know or understand what is required of them by law? These are licensed, educated individuals who don't know what basic laws and regulations they have to meet? HUH are you kidding me! All of a sudden they want to say that the staff needs to be trained and taught RULE 4500, or their legal requirements in reporting abuse and neglect, or their requirements in adhearing to Federal and State harassment or non-discrimination laws? REALLY? These are licensed professionals. Would you get open heart surgery from a doctor who would use the excuse that he didn't understand basic vascular knowledge? Of course not. Then why is it ok for our educators and our administrators and our school board to accept that as an answer for the issues that have taken place?
THAT my friend is why I am voting NO. I am not spending one dime more to have the continued excuses from the school board and the staff. Why would I spend my tax money to pay for continuing education for professionals who have well proven they either don't have to keep informed or don't care. Any other professional pays for their own continuing education. I AM DONE paying for the free ride in this system. Show me proven results and my mind might change. Until then you get a big NO vote from me!
Should it pass I plan to transfer my property into a non-profit to remove the tax liability for the schools.
You will still be required to pay the tax liability on your "non-proft" property.
DeleteReply to Anonymous @ 1:22PM
DeleteAnother expert blowhard who doesn't bother to research the FACTS.
Why don't you take the sage advice of another poster who told you to ASK THE QUESTIONS!
Maybe then you can stop pulling the answers out of your butt! :)
Anonymous at 1:22 P.M. It is ironic that you call me ignorant, pompous, and a dimwit and in the same post suggest that I was trying to browbeat you. Please, do not confuse my efforts to discuss the facts with your personal attacks against me. Of course everyone is entitled to an opinion, that does not mean we should ignore the facts that get in the way of the validity of such opinions.
DeleteWe could use improvements in our heating systems in some schools. No it will not save $100,000 a year. Just as a reminder, two of our schools won State recognition this year because they are leading the way in efficiency.
Now what is more constructive? Voting a budget down because you think a building could be more efficient, or making suggestions in the proper forums as to ways the school can become more efficient and then pressing until they are adopted?
Moving on to your dislike of a particular administrator. What is more constructive? Raising any factual basis for such concerns in the proper forums and seeking redress, or voting down a budget causing teachers and programs to be cut?
I only see problems being caused by your choice of action, not constructive results.
As to the actual budget, please remember that the portion of the school budget we fund is LESS than the town budget this year. Moreover, the school would have to cut 3 dollars from the budget to save local tax payers 1 dollar. 1.7 million was already cut from the originally requested budget. Even if you were to cripple the school by cutting another million dollars, it would only save the taxpayers $333,333 spread over the grand list. Next take into account the tax discounts based on income which are applied after the tax rate is calculated and most taxpayers are looking at what? $20 in savings?
The worst part is, the cuts come from our youngest and most energetic teachers, since the School has to cut those with the least tenure first. Additionally, the long term impact on the schools is it makes it harder to recruit teachers, not just because the town has a reputation of not supporting its schools (thank YOU for that), but because the cuts cause unreasonable large class sizes with an unreasonable lack of para educators to assist with students requiring additional support. In the long term this decreases Springfield's property values which decreases the grandlist, and yes INCREASES the property tax rate.
If you want to decrease property taxes in a sustainable way, you need to increase property value. If you want to increase property value you need to improve first our attitudes about our own town and then prospective residents' attitudes. If you want to improve the schools, then focus on improving them. Give constructive suggestions and press for them to be adopted. Support the budget so the school board has flexibility to hire and fire teachers based on merit not just based on who was last hired. When the budget is cut, the teacher with the least tenure has to be the one cut, the board has no flexibility in this.
If you truly want to accomplish more than causing problems, then do something constructive. Be a part of the solution, not the problem. It isn't pompous to stand up in support of our kids' education. It isn't ignorant to recognize our schools are not perfect, but what is needed is constructive support not instinctual "no" votes. It is not a "dimwit" that causes me to look at the big picture and for long term sustainability. We can identify problems and we can work together to solve them. We cannot improve our schools by voting "no" to the budget. To borrow loosely from a military slogan, help us solve the problems, or get out of the way.
On paper is less, but where do you think the other 99% is coming from, the state just doesn't hand out free money
DeleteFrom act 60 revenue across the state and other sources. Where did you think it comes from?
DeleteHooray, Finally a school board with guts..All this man wanted to do is spend more of the taxpayers money and take nothing out of the "administration portion of the budget"...While this was a good move, I will still be voting NO on the revote..$100,000 cut from a $27 million dollar budget is a joke. Time for the teachers and/or the administration to "sacrifice" a little...VOT NOT may 2nd
ReplyDelete**Vote NO May 2nd
DeleteOOOPS, make that VOTE NO on May8th....
DeleteIn the past few years, while Many people were taking pay cuts or staying even just to keep their jobs, (if they were lucky enough to still have one), the Springfield teachers accepted their apprx 3% annual raise every year, saying that it was negotiated in the contract...& THEY SAY THEY ARE ONLY THINKING OF THE KIDS, LOOKS TO ME LIKE ALL THEY THINK ABOUT IS THEMSELVES!!!
DeleteThe school board seems to be heading in the right direction but I still have to vote no on the budget. Not because I am trying to punish the students or faculty but because I can not afford anymore to be taken from me. In a society where people are losing jobs or not getting raises, you can not expect the taxpayer to take on more responsibility; it's not affordable. As a taxpayer, I have to live within a budget. I can not go to my employer and say "Hey, what I am making is not enough to pay the bills so I am going to need more money each year despite my productivity or merit." They would laugh hysterically and say "You're fired." My point for saying this is because the taxpayer is maxed out. There is no more to give. Level funding is what you will get until the economy turns around. If I don't make it, you can't take it. Simple equation really!
ReplyDeleteDid you vote no on the town budget?
DeleteYes, I did. I voted "no" to everything on voting day that would raise taxes for the taxpaying people in Springfield. And again, it's not to punish or out of anger; it's about what is fiscally responsible and what the taxpayer can and can not afford. If they keep raising budgets/taxes, many of us will be taxed into foreclosure. That's not a remedy for the town's or school's woes.
Delete**Amen**
Deletelet's get out the no vote. We can't afford Springfield budgets anymore. Taxed to death and sick of it. Vote no and save Springfield
DeleteYou have been voting no on your school budgets for the last 20 years. How has that worked out for you?
DeleteJust an fyi, the budget calls for less revenue to be raised from local taxes this year than last year.
DeleteI always love the comments that include "studies have shown" with some ridiculous comment coming shortly thereafter. Certainly, would question that any studies show that repeatedly defeating school budgets does anything to help the students. Of course commonsense does seem to be in short supply when discussing the impact of budget defeats on the public schools and the community.
ReplyDeleteI always love the comments from Alpin Jack which are ALWAYS RIDICULOUS!
DeleteI will be voting yes to the school budget not because I agree with it, but the children have lost out so much that now we what to take away the new good teachers! The new ones that are fresh and have some great and new ideas, that will cause our children to be excited again to go to school. We as a community need to keep such a close eye on what the board is doing cause if this is a smoke screen, with Frank, then we need to hold the board accountable. I would truely hope that this is not the case and the board is indeed looking out for our children.
ReplyDeleteI want to take a minute to address the above poster @3:55pm. I respect your post on choosing to vote yes BUT- If you do not agree with the budget by all means don't let the doom and gloom hype push you into a guilt vote. That is the wrong reason to cast a vote. Fear is a wrong reason to cast a vote.
DeleteHere is what I would like you to really really think about. The reality is this..a vast majority of the individuals who are pushing a vote have a stake in the outcome. Whether that stake is a close friend who may be layed off or in alot of the cases it is an immediate relative, wife, brother or sister who may or may not be a good teacher but may risk having to directly account for their job performance in the future. So faced with that I see many individuals preaching doom and gloom for the students.
Look-the kids will not suffer. This is a temporary issue. I hope everyone will consider this budget is only for a year. Defeating it to a more realistic amount allows us to see Frank leave before we get to the actual real issue of rebuilding our system and isolating and analyzing the true needs both financial and staffing wise. A budget never goes backwards from this point. So I honestly feel we need to defeat this budget and bring it to a significantly lower level until we find a competant leader and or members of the board. Everyone has and agenda in this issue and to vote in a high budget over fear that your student will be damaged is just plain false. Will we possibly lose some good talent? Possibly..but we can also rehire or find new talent again when we have stabilized our system.
I think where we need to look right now are at alot of the past decisions and actions that have transpired. We have a school board who just this year voted on the tenure portion of the contracts. Look tenure is a bad bad thing in an education system. For those who may not understand the ramifications of tenure. What happens is a situation we are at now. Because a teacher works in our system a certain amount of time they gain tenure. which means that they become almost untouchable to remove for performance. Who is affected first are...guess what the new hires and new talent. So because of tenure we may end up with unmotivated and bad teachers whose performance may be unacceptable and in the end they get a pass when things like budget come up. We need as a community to put our school board on the spot for things like that. We should be asking the board why they unanimously voted to ignore missing funds and to simply replace it with money from a budget two years later. We should be asking why we have not removed the financial individual whose job it is to keep track of this money. I think we should be asking Scott Adnams why he abstained from the vote to non-renew Frank. I know I will be asking him why and where his loyalties and priorties are? With the residents who elected him to his position or with an ill functioning CEO of a failing school district. I would like to hear where his thoughts were and his reasoning because right now I seriously question him. But I will allow him the oppourtunity to explain. THIS is how we rebuild a school district. We ask questions and we in some cases demand answers. BUT we dont blindly vote in a budget that we have no idea that we truely need or that the numbers are accurate for our purpose.
Anonymous at 6:17. I agree that those who are voting yes have something at stake. We completely disagree however regarding what is at stake. It is our children's education and this town's future, not just because of the education the next generation receives, but because the way we treat our schools becomes a reflection of Springfield. You cannot get other towns, businesses, industry, and prospective residents to respect our town if we do not respect it first. Voting "no" on a budget, is not just a temporary inconvenience to the school. It cuts programs, like the preschool program that was cut this time around. It drives off our young teachers and it drives away prospective skilled teachers and administrators. Many people wanted changes at Elm Hill and wanted to see Perotti go. Those changes were made and Perotti is going. Now its time for those who raised the concerns to support the budget and reinforce these moves. With respect to the tenure issue, the problem is not tenure in and of itself. If you don't provide tenure then you are at a huge competitive disadvantage with other schools in terms of hiring teachers. What the school needs to be mindful of is who achieves tenured status. I.e. only deserving teachers should receive tenure. If you want issues addressed, please go after the issues, don't just repeatedly vote down a budget. If you want the school board to have the flexibility to add or remove teachers based on merit, then we need to support the budget so the cuts are not simply based on seniority, they can be for cause. It is disheartening that so few voters show up to meetings to provide guidance to the school board and raise issues they want to see addressed, and yet they vote the budget down because they feel the Board is not addressing issues that the voters fail to bring to them during meetings. The board has been responsive to issues put before it. If you have an issue raise it, don't just vote no on the budget. Lets get the issues addressed.
DeleteGood School Superintendents like good Town Managers only have a shelf life of about 4 years, if they havent' kicked up enough people to oppose them within that time they are not doing their job.
DeleteUltimately the school board should be held accountable too, but ghis is a good step in the direction of accountability. I would prefer the superintendent be fired, or have the commonsense to resign. Now to get Riverside Middle School under control. Becky Reid has been useless as an administrator and now she is also responsible for Elm Hill. Get some administrators that can do the job!
ReplyDeleteI for one am voting “NO” on the budget and I work for the school district. I am tired of the “Good Old Boys Club from Hartland” taking care of their own at my expense! The Interim Vice-Principal at Elm Hill School was the only candidate that Superintendent would allow to be interviewed and was given the job when we knew of a few other candidates with better credentials. The staff even though she wasn’t a good fit! Let’s see; this person was an intern for Becky Read at Riverside, Becky Read is now the principal on record at Elm Hill School doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out this one! What truly upsets me is that this Interim VP only has a provisional administrator’s license because she has not finished her administrative training at UVEI. So as a taxpayer, I am now paying her a salary to complete her education, plus a mentor to guide her! That’s a big “NO” from me on the budget vote…..
ReplyDeleteThank you for your frank and honest response. I am happy to see individuals from within the system finally speaking out and bringing to light the culture from inside the system.
DeleteThere is more to the story with Ms. Read I am sure. In my opinion she was obviously brought in for a reason. Because she does very well doing the spin and disguising issues with her incessant "statistics and data". Believe me Riverside is not without its own skeletons in the closet they just haven't come to light yet for the public.
We know there are other employees out there who feel the same as you. I really wish they would come forward and post their thoughts also. If you are worried about your ISP being tracked you can go to a public internet spot with your laptop and post. Most McDonald's, Dunkin, Starbucks etc have wi-fi. Do the town a favor and post your experiences or knowledge of inside springfields "iron curtain" it would be very helpful.
DeleteStarbucks? Methinks you are not a Springfield resident.
Deleteum Lisa that was for those who may shop in Keene or West Leb
DeleteOh phew - I thought you guys had a secret Starbucks you were hiding from me. As far as IP logging, maybe use the Library or Apron Strings? But you raise a bigger question: there's a Starbucks in West Leb? Where? That's really exciting news.
DeleteYes, thank you for your frankness as to the workings of the school system we don’t hear about. Another question, why wasn’t Tom Green’s total resignation letter read at the board meeting? I will tell you why, because it criticized the lack of leadership at RMS. So I guess the Peter Principal is hard at work in the Springfield School District, the more you screw up, the higher you go. In this case, Ms. Read screwed up RMS and now is in charge of Elm Hill too. As a taxpayer, maybe it’s time the state comes down and takes over the district until it’s straightened out.
ReplyDeleteGet this budget passed everyone! We are harming our youth in this town. I have seen posts on SPD facebook page and on other topics in this blog how the youth are disruptive and cause chaos in town. The foundation to teach these kids begins in our schools. Yes, parents should be ultimately responsible but school system can act as support for kids who don't have support from home. The school system needs our town's support big time to help youth, families, and our town as a whole find itself again. Voting no hurts us in the long run, invest in the towns future. By voting no you are not giving the teachers in our schools the BEST staff around them to teach the youth. the best applicants are scared to apply to this district because the negativity in town. If your kids are in the district or have any interest in the youth in this town succeeding pass this budget to have the most motivated prospects in teaching want to teach here.
ReplyDeleteSo teachers should be social workers now too! I pay state taxes for the state to do that! Face it, the school system is in deep trouble. I have to pay taxes here, how many administrators even live and pay taxes in Springfield, how about one (1), yes ONLY ONE! They have no vested interest but to their own big pay checks! I’m voting “NO”.
ReplyDeleteHOORAY, great point...
DeleteUhm, where have you been for the last thirty years, the teachers became social workers when the State decided to op into the mainstreaming programs. They shut down the institutions in order to shift the tax burden from the progressive income tax to the arbitrary real estate tax. Hello.
DeleteThe one admin. that lives in town applied for the Elm Hill Principal job and was not given an interview. What is up with that? What are they scared of? That she might listen to the taxpayers?
DeleteThe applicants don't apply to this district because of the shady practices within the administration and operation. NOT because of the budget. If, and that is a huge IF, applicants do have concerns about the "unstable budget" that is a direct reflection of the operating system not the town or the residents. I think you should really disect and analyze what the root causes are. It isn't because the residents are "bad" it is because the school district is so screwed up and now obviously with the Park Street thing also readily breaks the law. Who in their right mind wants to be a part of that kind of system. That would be professional suicide.
ReplyDeleteThe kids are not suffering. It is a one year budget. You all act as if it is the end of the world and the students will be damned to hell. Get over it. I think the voters want to see legitimate proven leadership. Every year the budget goes up and every year testing scores go down, problems increase and staff obviously operate within their own set of rules and laws outside of how they should conduct business.ABSOLUTELY a reason to vote NO!
whoops my bad the ELM HILL thing
Delete"Like"
DeleteOh hogwash. Applicants are avoiding Springfield because of our defeated budgets and normally because of the high level of RIFS. This year they avoided a high level of RIFS because they instituted a hiring freeze, so the upshot is going to be about the same because they will miss the first round of hiring because of the budget uncertainty. Defeating budgets only cripples the school and makes it more unlikely that we will improve upon the situation when a new administrator is hired because budgetary matters overwhelm every other consideration. Wake up people and start using your brains for something other than silly putty.
DeleteYou know what is ironic. The district is currently operating under the budget they set last year. We have a new proposed budget. But here is what is interesting.
ReplyDeleteIf the district has operated on the current amount, why are they still hiring and why did they continue to hire more and more and more people if they didn't have the money to pay for it and now claim that all the new hires will be let go? Isn't something a little fishy about that you anyone? So you mean to tell me the new hires that I read about are amounting to millions of dollars? Sounds to me like the foreclosure crisis. The district continues to spend money they don't have and knew ahead of time they didn't have. Every year the budget has gone up and every year the students progress and the problems continue. This is a giant foreclosure like issue. You spent more than you made and now you want the taxpayers to bail you out. I don't think anyone would have blinked an eye if the budget came back with the unforeseen expenses like rising fuel costs and the addition of employees to the benefits but to ask for more and more and more. It is a giant bailout just like we saw with the big banks being in trouble. It was wrong for us to be asked to bail them out and it is wrong to ask Springfield taxpayers to bail this system out since you obviously can't budget your money correctly. And then i hear you are organizing committees to call and harass residents into voting yes...be very careful the stance and means you use. A district cannot do that officially. Just sayin..be warned.
Actually they have been pretty much under a hiring freeze and have many unfilled positions.
DeleteIn response to Anonymous at 10:40 P.M., Let me get this straight, do you think the schools have more people working there now than last year? I guess you missed all the cuts including 14 paras and many other positions which were already cut from the first budget proposal. I have no idea where you are getting your "millions of dollars" suggestion. They are looking to raise $100,000 LESS from local property taxes for next year than last year to fund the budget. Moreover, the difficulty they had this year in staying within the budget was due to a discrepancy in the heating oil costs, but they are expecting to hit the budget with little to no deficit because of the spending freezes they put in place. Please get informed before you spew nonsense. Attend the school board meetings, ask questions if you are that confused. The schools are not expanding the staff, they have been reducing it. Yes health insurance goes up, yes a huge portion of the budget is due to the school buildings at Union and Elm Hill. The plight the schools have is nothing like the bailouts of the banks. The schools required massive overhauls because the budgets have been cut for years which lead to necessary repairs not being done. Each year the school scraps needed repairs because the town won't support the school and then we get hit with a much more expensive crisis and have to do major repairs or overhauls. The end result is we have to spend more than we should on buildings which then leads to more budget crunches and the cycle goes on and on. They cut huge amounts from planned repairs in the original budget trying to get it passed and it still didn't pass. Don't blame the schools for the costs the town has to pay for not maintaining the schools, blame the residents who blindly vote no.
DeleteBut we need people to think that voting no to beneficial spending somehow mysteriously creates jobs and people who are struggling to educate their kids. How do you expect me to get elected, if people were behaving rationally?
DeleteRationally like abusing children right? Yeah typical Springfield. You are like the priest who sexually abuses the kids and then tells them not to tell. I am pretty sure there is a sheep that needs bred..run along now!
DeleteWhat percentage of the proposed budget goes toward salaries & benefits???
ReplyDeleteIt appears that this blog topic for some time has been a breeding ground of negativity...And nothing changes with negativity...The quality of a community says more about the adults than it does the children...There are 2 things in life...Problems and solutions...There are 2 types of people...Those who are part of the problem (do nothings)and those who are part of the solution (do somethings)...If you are a do nothing who is part of the problem, please be quiet...If you are a DO SOMETHING please offer suggestions for a solution in the proper forum because this is NOT the place for your complaints to get addressed...And if you are NOT willing to take the steps to voice our opinions where they can be readily heard please refrain from venting here...I would like to hear more from the "do something" people who are part of the solution rather than the "do nothing people" who are part of the problem.
ReplyDeleteLet's see the "do nothings", the "do somethings", the "know nothings." Its the "know nothings" that I am really counting on in this campaign, because you can talk them into believing the most idiotic things like defeating school budgets and investing in military hardware will help them through rough times. And this blog site is a meeting place for a lot of annonymous "know nothings", so keep up the good work. And remember corporations are people, and its good to like to fire people!
DeleteAnonymous @ 7:39 I have to disagree with you about the request that people not use this forum to to vent--positive or negative. Without this blog, I doubt the seclusion room issue would have come to the public's attention at all. I don't enjoy some of the racist and personal attacks that I've read here, but it's the most democratic and active space we seem to have in Springfield at the moment and our schools need the involvement of our community so badly right now. I'm just thrilled that the town is talking about what we want and that people care enough to write in!
ReplyDelete@3:27 You are exactly correct with your post. The reason @7:39 and others don't want the venting is because it informs the public of issues and often facts that they otherwise did not know. For a years that has been the tactic of the schools is to hide and brush under the carpet the facts and issues to disguise that there is even a problem happening.
DeleteEven with this blog we see the administrator rushing stories onto the page to get the hot button issues such as this pushed down the blog page and off to the second page instead of leaving the story up on the board. Why is that? I will tell you why, because the supporters want to limit the information that the public might otherwise not know which could change their vote. In other words don't give the public the full story or ideas they might consider in their vote. That for years has been the attitude that has brought about the problems in Springfield.
Yes we need lots more irrational venting, it helps my campaign!
DeleteMittens- You said the same thing when the issue over the illegal use of the rooms came up. Low and behold it turned out to be true. As much as you would like people to bury their heads in the sand I think everyone has has a whiff of how the school system works and the lengths it has gone to deny what they have done. I think it is you that is irrational.
DeleteThe Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
DeleteFOR THE SENIORS AND RENTERS: You should be aware that with the school budget as high as it is it is very likely your monthly rent will increase as the property taxes increase. For anyone on a fixed income or living in the highrises should be cautious.
ReplyDeletePlease share with anyone you may know in those situations. Please inform them that voting NO will not close down the schools or bring eminent harm or loss of education to the students as many want them to believe. Let them know it is only a temporary budget for a year.
BUT the rent increase they may face due to property tax increases will be permanent to their limited income.
Very true...the town & school budgets affect renters too... When property taxes are raised year after year, the landlord has NO CHOICE but to pass some of this onto the tenents...
DeleteHere we go again. In response to the post at 10:09 A.M. If any Seniors or renters read this, I hope they know that the post at 10:09 is entirely false. The proposed tax rate next year on homes which are not primary residences is LOWER than the current tax rate by 3.75 cents. That is right LOWER, so that means your landlord will pay LESS in taxes, not more than last year. Where are you people getting your information from? Please, get your facts straight. If you don't understand the budget, show up at a meeting and ask questions.
DeleteSo I will assume you work for the town or the school. So would you put that in writing? I mean would the school and town put in writing that taxes (school portion) will not go up and if it did will you put your money where your mouth is and cover that additional tax or excuse it from commercial properties?
DeleteIt seems very strange how you talk of companies coming in (which is commercial property) and they will take over the tax burden for the property owners and NOW you are saying that commercial property and housing tax rate will drop. Hmmm which is it? Cause in the older blogs and the blogs about the biomass you claimed just the opposite.
Im sorry when town or school budgets go up the taxes go up. Interesting note that if this is in fact true then you placed the excess tax on actual property owners here huh!
Kind of like how all the abuse at Elm Hill were false right? I believe you were all over that also. However, that wasn't the case was it! As I said before there is a history of talking out both sides of your mouth in this district.
DeleteMany of the seniors who these people get all worked up do not even pay the full rate as they are eligible for the cap. The landlords of those who live in subsidized housing have special agreements with the State and Feds which regulate the amount of real estate taxes paid, not the rate determined by the budget. In addition most of the commercial properties are subject to a Statewide level rate.
DeleteAnonymous at 5:45 A.M. You know what they say about assumptions, and what that makes you. If you followed the budget discussions, you would know Springfield only funds 1/3 of the budget locally and that there is a different tax rate depending on if it is a primary residence or not. Niether the town, nor the school gets to determine how the funds are raised via primary residences versus other properties. The school just determines the budget amount and the distribution of funding is set by the state and in cases of some subsidized properties by the federal government.
DeleteI can't speak to what anyone posted in blogs about the biomass plant, I have never posted there, but it is true that bringing in new businesses and residents reduces the tax rate for everyone.
When a vacant building is turned into a functioning business the assessed value on that property increases which brings in more revenue from that same piece of property at the same tax rate that it did before. On the same token, if a dilapidated home is sold and renovated, the appraisal goes up which means more tax revenue from the same property even though the tax rate is the same. If you do that throughout a town, you can raise the same amount in taxes but reduce the tax rate. (This is how "rich towns" have low tax rates but have more tax revenue than "poor towns")
Now consider the reverse. If you constantly denigrate your town and schools, you push people away from Springfield. Property assessments decrease and you have to increase taxes to raise the same revenue just to counteract the decreased property values. So by all means, keep voting down the budget like Springfield has for 20+ years, watch the grandlist decrease and then blame the schools when they struggle to overcome it.
The proposed budget is in writing and you can obtain a copy of it. The non-residential tax rate under the proposed budget would be decreased by 3.75 cents and the residential would increase by 1.6 cents. Overall, the budget calls for less money to be raised from local property taxes than last year. The reason there is an increase on primary residences is because of the decrease in the non-primary residences. This is set at the state level, not by the town or school. If you are upset about the apportionment (I personally think that 2nd homes and investment properties should bear more of the burden than primary residences) then contact your state representatives. The state has shifted the burden, not the school.
As another poster mentioned, the taxes in subsidized developments like Westview or the highrise and others are governed federally so they have lower tax rates than other properties.
As to Anonymous at 5:50 A.M. Your post is entirely false. Please stop projecting your false assumptions. What makes you "believe" I was "all over that?" Get your facts straight BEFORE you make your ridiculous allegations. I encourage people to raise issues and get them addressed, rather than spewing false information and pushing people to vote no.
In response to 5:45 A.M., the school budget is in writing as is the applicable tax code. The portion that is funded by local property taxes is less than the town budget and is less than the amount funded by local taxes last year. Because of the state tax code, the taxes on non-primary residences under the proposed budget are 3.75 cents less than last year. The tax on primary residences is 1.6 cents higher. If you dislike how the state apportions it, contact your state representatives.If it was apportioned evenly, then we would see a decrease in the tax rate on all local properties. The school and town do not control that aspect, the school only has say in the total amount.
DeleteWith respect to your question regarding how businesses coming to Springfield helps the tax rate, let me explain. Let's take for example a vacant lot. If a business moves into town and builds on the lot, the appraisal of the lot will increase significantly. Even if the tax rate remains the same, more money will be raised in taxes from that same lot due to the increase in valuation.
On the same token, if a dilapidated home is purchased and renovated or a home is built on a vacant lot, that lot will be re-appraised at a higher value and therefore will provide more in tax revenue at the same tax rate.
If as a town you attract businesses and increase property values, you can raise more money and at the same time decrease the tax rate. This is exactly what happens in "rich towns" such as
Woodstock. in such towns they can raise more revenue AND have lower tax rates because their grandlist (the total property value of all the properties in the town) is so high.
Now if you do the reverse, ie fail to support your schools and denigrate the town, it drives property values down and people away from the town. This in turn means you need to increase tax rates just to maintain the same revenue as property values decrease.
I don't know what has been posted in the biomass blogs, but it is possible to both bring in more businesses and reduce the tax rates. However, voting down school budgets repeatedly, if nothing else, destroys the community and state's perception of the town which in turn reduces our grandlist.
As to the post at 5:50 A.M., I do not know who you have me confused with, but your assumption is again wrong. I encourage everyone to voice their concerns in the proper forums and push for positive changes, like many did regarding the Elm Hill issue. I was glad to see the school board act decisively when the issue was raised. As I have said before, our schools are not perfect but they need constructive suggestions aimed at positive change, not blind lack of support. If you want changes, ask for the changes, don't vote No on a budget.
I spent the last two weeks speaking with families and residents at the highrises and other registered voters from the available list to explain the importance of voting NO on the school budget.
ReplyDeleteSeveral other residents also helped get the message out to the families. We have spoken to well over 100-150 voters now and would like other volunteers to help call voters.
How should we contact you?
DeleteCan you give me your reasons why you feel so strongly about voting no on the budget?
DeleteHow do I contact you I need people like you on my campaign staff. We need more people that are good at getting elderly people scared out of their wits so they vote against community minded stuff. Its really hard to find good help these days.
DeleteBoss says dis es veery important, ee says if'n we keep defeatin the budget that the kid to teecher radio well git big enuf dat dey won notice if'n Johnny ees absent a bit now dat ee as to walk from McDees and de plaza to Wall Street to deliver dem bags fer dem nice salesmen who used to do der business on Union street it takes em more time, and if'n we don git dat kid to teecher radio really big dey more likely to notice em gone not sure wat kinda radio dat is but it gits bigger if'n they keep defeetin da budget
DeleteActually it is deemed very racist and I honestly take offense to it. There was one a while back that referred to nazi something or another I believe. Just goes to show the acceptance that takes place in this town.
DeleteHm, if I understand what she is saying it looks like it has more to do with drug traffic than race. What did she say about Nazis? Missed that one.
DeleteNow you've gone and done it, hurt the little lady's feelings making assumptions about her like that. Have you know pity on these poor little women who are struggling against the odds?
DeleteWell the way the children are being taught, the joke is on us. The administration is glad to be rid of the so called Johnny. We have a large dropout rate. All the years of throwing money at the schools has not fixed that.
DeleteSection. 3.The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof [Modified by Amendment XVII], for six Years; and each student named Johnny (seriously?!) shall have one Vote.
DeleteDear Blog Administrator,
ReplyDeleteWhy do you remove other posts but continue to let Anonymous@9:55 continue this racist series of comments that they have been posting for weeks now?
We had the impression that this person was only mocking the Springfield school system's less than stellar education ratings, portraying themselves in an exagerrated way as someone who received all their education here.
DeleteLooks more like she was mocking the Town's failure to police the drug traffic first on Union Street and then on Wall Street. With perhaps a dig at the State's failure to keep the spirit of the agreement not to release prisoner from elsewhere here in Springfield, with a little distasteful jab at some of the parents whose children are allegedly terrorizing Elm Hill. But I could be wrong...she should work on the language to make it more woodchuckian though...I can see where people might take it as racist...
DeleteHm, interesting concept of her being racist? I hadn't thought of that, guess I was too focused on trying to puzzle out what she was saying. Is there some racial issue at play in Springfield? What is going on up on Wall Street anyway? I had heard that the drug-dealing scene had moved away from Union Street in part because of the public attention it was getting, has it moved to Wall Street now?
DeleteAlpin, what in the heck is "woodchuckian"?
DeleteAethelred, unfortunately by playing the race card, "honestly offended" has probably permanently silenced Johnny's mother. I say unfortunately, not because of the dialect that she was employing, but because of what she appeared to be spotlighting. I scrolled back looking for her comments and they all seem to:
Delete1. Put a spotlight on where the community believes, which may or may not be correct, drug deals are going down in broad daylight, and most recently that the drug deals have now due to the public attention given gravitated away from Union Street to other areas of town;
2. Spelled out in detail how the State's promise of not releasing prisoners from away into Springfield is being circumvented, namely that the families of the inmates are moving to Springfield during the period of incarceration, the Prison releases the inmates to out of town rehabilitation centers to treat their substance abuse issues, and the centers then release the former inmates into Springfield where their families are now located; and
3. That the so-called "seclusion rooms" did in fact have a legitimate role to play in our school system.
But superficial hypersensitive political correctness, will probably put an end to Johnny's mother. Instead, it will be fine for people to attack the Turning Point Club which is trying to help people stay sober. Oh well...wish I knew who Johnny's mother was so I could help her monologues sound like the Logger instead of Porgie and Bess.
Alpin, am still trying to ponder out the racist thing. But after reading the posts, I think you are right about Johnny's mother. It is interesting that we have these vicious attacks on the school system and the school budget, yet we have a Selectboard which doesn't seem to be capable of accomplishing much of anything. And if somebody makes a slightly politically incorrect approach to highlighting the existence of a couple real elephants in the room -- then more power to them. If drug deal were not in fact going down in broad daylight in front of the Union Street School then someone could have come on and challenged Johnny's Mother. If the the State wasn't doing an end run around their release promise, then someone should have come on and challenged Johnny's Mother. As to her attempts to illustrate the reality behind the seclusion rooms, perhaps it was not possible for the school administration to come on and explain the alleged fact that we have a couple kids who need to be placed in the seclusion room until the police/parents/grandparents or whoever can arrive. I don't know if any of the things she was suggesting are true or not, but playing the race card was a bit over the top in my book.
DeleteWhy do you all have to do this in depth analysis thing. Isn't it bad enough that "honestly offended" has a racial profile as to certain dialects? Now you have to start going on about drug dealers and start ascribing accusations against the State. Didn't you here Mr. Forguites assure everyone at Town meeting that the prison never releases persons from other areas into Springfield when they parole people. Are you implying that the Town Manager would actually fall for the scam you are suggesting the State is pulling? and do you really think someone with the intellect of Johnny's mother would actually be trying to effect change in the community? My goodness, I am stedfast against any kind of positive change in this community why just go ask NOSAG, I am sure they will tell you I am an ardent supporter of their cause. But, I have to look out for Johnny and now you have devastated his poor struggling mother.
DeleteNo Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
DeleteDarn, I guess that rules out Johnny voting, huh.
DeleteIt was brought to my attention that this blog existed and now I wish I hadn't read the comments posted. It saddens me to see all of the negativity surrounding the schools. I have seen a lot of wonderful things happening in our schools at all levels. If you are one who is on the fence about the budget or who doesn't think the staff or administrators are doing their jobs, why not visit the schools for a day? Or visit the exhibits or concerts and see the display of knowledge the children are proud to present. Despite all of the turmoil, there is still learning happening, a lot of learning and it is evident when you walk through the halls of each of the four schools.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the real world.
DeleteReal world? Sort of like replacing Perotti's picture with a cartoon from the Simpsons. Whatever your problem with him that shows zero journalistic integrity and zero class. The joke isn't even original. Your site has become a tabloid rag where people are posting garbage as truth and making personal attacks.
DeleteWhy the hell do you think we read it!!? And now you make it even better.
DeleteI read this blog like I'm reading the National Lampoon or the Onion, have a few laughs and move on. Nobody says you have to read this blog no more than you have to watch the Red Sox!
re:"why not visit the schools for a day?"
DeleteMany of us have and are disgusted at what passes for education and the waste of funds.
I routinely speak to recent dropouts unable to find or hold a job. When questioned on their decision to leave school they consistently give the same excuse. "No one was able to give me a compelling reason stay in school and earn a diploma."
With the bloated staff of aids, teachers, counselors and a psychologist, this is inexcusable. Vote NO and force change.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
DeleteMachine Town Financer where did you go to school?
DeleteI have never heard of a financer, but I have heard of a financier. It must take a dropout to know one.
Constitution of the State of Vermont
DeleteCHAPTER I. A DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE STATE OF VERMONT
Article 1st. All persons born free; their natural rights; slavery prohibited
That all persons are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety; therefore no person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person as a servant, slave or apprentice, after arriving to the age of twenty-one years, unless bound by the person's own consent, after arriving to such age, or bound by law for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.
Article 2nd. Private property subject to public use; owner to be paid
DeleteThat private property ought to be subservient to public uses when necessity requires it, nevertheless, whenever any person's property is taken for the use of the public, the owner ought to receive an equivalent in money.
Article 3rd. Freedom in religion; right and duty of religious worship
DeleteThat all persons have a natural and unalienable right, to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences and understandings, as in their opinion shall be regulated by the word of God; and that no person ought to, or of right can be compelled to attend any religious worship, or erect or support any place of worship, or maintain any minister, contrary to the dictates of conscience, nor can any person be justly deprived or abridged of any civil right as a citizen, on account of religious sentiments, or peculiar mode of religious worship; and that no authority can, or ought to be vested in, or assumed by, any power whatever, that shall in any case interfere with, or in any manner control the rights of conscience, in the free exercise of religious worship. Nevertheless, every sect or denomination of Christians ought to observe the sabbath or Lord's day, and keep up some sort of religious worship, which to them shall seem most agreeable to the revealed will of God.
Article 4th. Remedy at law secured to all
DeleteEvery person within this state ought to find a certain remedy, by having recourse to the laws, for all injuries or wrongs which one may receive in person, property or character; every person ought to obtain right and justice, freely, and without being obliged to purchase it; completely and without any denial; promptly and without delay; conformability to the laws.
Too much negativity on this, vote yes and turn the town around, go sox!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt gets voted in every year when is this town going to turn around??
ReplyDeleteThe town budget is approved every year, but the school budget fails about 45% of the time over the last twenty years.
DeleteSupport education, vote YES on May 8th.
69. Charters, limit on right to grant
DeleteNo charter of incorporation shall be granted, extended, changed or amended by special law, except for such municipal, charitable, educational, penal or reformatory corporations as are to be and remain under the patronage or control of the State; but the General Assembly shall provide by general laws for the organization of all corporations hereafter to be created. All general laws passed pursuant to this section may be altered from time to time or repealed.
*the negativity*, turn the negativity around. sox up 2-0!
ReplyDeleteArticle. I.
ReplyDeleteSection. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section. 2.The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
Why are we always so much more ready to pay 2 1/2 times the taxes for a sandwich at McDonald's than for a decent education for our children?
ReplyDeleteI think it's because we are stressed out by other things going on in our life over which we feel we can do nothing.
For example: 85% of the Springfield households average $25,000 in income. This seemingly abstract statistic actually has a huge impact on the town.
1. It means that there is not that much money to attract businesses to town.
2. Which means that there are not enough jobs in town.
3. Which means that people have to shift for themselves to earn money.
4. Which means that dealing in drugs is now attractive.
5. Which generates pushers, who cultivate addicts.
6. Who break into houses and cars and steal metal furnishings off porches and lawns to support their habit.
7. Which activity angers the victims.
8. Who rail against an "ineffective" police force.
9. And who see no improvement as a result of their anger.
10. Which makes them more angry.
11. Which causes them to view everything else more darkly.
12. Which brings them to the point of voting against the school budget because by God that's one place where they will be heard!
And of course, the underlying cause-- in this case, the near-poverty-level income of the great majority of households-- is overlooked and goes unaddressed.
You don't find this sort of ire in gold towns. The anger you find there is directed against having to share the cost of education with the rest of the state, not against poorly-documented charges of incompetence, favoritism, ignorance, etc.
Of course there IS something that can be done about the underlying problem.
And I quote: "Of course there IS something that can be done about the underlying problem."
ReplyDeletePlease , Please inform us readers what the: IS something can be done....
Here's what can be done:
ReplyDelete1. Re-focus from anger at the superficial effects-- What is more important, low school taxes or well-educated students? To quote theoretical physicist Steven Weinberg (who gave the name to the much-prized but highly elusive Higgs boson fifty years ago), "Big science is in competition for government funds, not only with manned space fligiht, and with various programs of real science, but also with many other things that we need government to do. We don't spend enough on eduction to make becoming a teacher an attractive career choice for usr best college graduates." He goes on to list other symptoms of willful decay: rail and Internet services (poor compared to East Asia and Europe), the patent review process, our prison complex mentality, the understaffed judiciary, the SEC's impotence against Wall Street, the lack of health care for vast numbers of Americans, and the underfunding of first responder services since 9/11-- all of which will be faced with 8% budget cuts in the next year under the Grand Bargain between the Administration and Congress last year.
2. I propose you and I offer a discussion session at the library to the general public showing how the Marriage Penalty tax refund deprived Springfield schools of at least $6 million per year (it started at $7.5 million when we still had five schools back in 2003) and gave it to the 1%. If this is not to your liking, let's sit down at Apron Strings and find out what is.
Good job Chuck keep it coming.
DeleteNo, No, No, Chuck we need to give more money to the job creators so that we can keep the job creators busy creating all the new jobs they have created for the last thirty years...can't you just hear the hum of all those machine shops being resurrected with the money that the job creators kept instead of paying taxes? How do you expect us to keep the economy thriving like it has been with all of that money that has been trickling down?
Deletestanding ovation for Chuck, well done! He does his homework, tells the truth and gives answers to the people thank you
ReplyDeleteI am still VOTING NO in hopes that other do the same. It is time we take back Springfield and our tax dollars. Enough is enough.
ReplyDeleteTake Springfield back to what? The exact same way its been for the last 20 years with all of the other defeated budgets?
DeleteVote yes. If want the schools to improve get involved, ask questions, attend meetings, but just voting NO doesn't improve anything.
ok and what has voting yes and the budget doubling over the past ten years actually produced? Take a look at their scores. The only reason they are changing the tests is to prolong the state taking over the operation of the schools.
Delete