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Buried in a routine cleanup bill at the end of the legislative session was corrective wording closing the loophole in Senate Bill 3050; this allowed a simple majority to approve going over the "Tax Cap". The loophole required a 4/5ths majority to approve going over the cap in the first year, but not in subsequent years (this is over simpliefied). Well, we now need 6 of 7 Councilors to vote to exceed, so the Provisional Budget is meaningless - not that we thought it would stand as is. What this means is the Town Council has to go back to the $1.2 million cut (or pretty close to that) to keep it under the cap. We will not know the Councils final vote until July 26th, when they vote their final budget.
So, we can not wait and we can not stand silent. We have begun planning for the referendum, we will have 14 days beginning July 27th to get close to 1,500 signatures - NO EASY TASK. We have developed a visibility campaign that will be ready for the 14th. What we need now is EVERYONE at the Town Council public meeting on the 14th. We need to show our support. Second, if you would agree to collect signatures or stand at a collection point (drive and sign @ High School), please email me at david@sosportsmouth.com. We can only succeed with many hands.
Stay tuned for more...
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Critical Dates to Save
There will be a Public Hearing on the Provisional Budget voted last night on Wednesday, July 14th at 7:00 PM in the Little Theater at the Portsmouth Middle School. The Final Budget could not be voted on until the next regular Town Council meeting, which would be Monday, July 26th. On that date the Council could again cut the Schools and vote not to exceed the cap. Were there to be a Referendum Drive, we would have 14 days from July 27th to get 1,350 to 1,400 signatures - this is no easy task! Therefore, we will proceed to plan and organize a Referrendum Campaign as if we still face a $1.2 million cut. We can not be caught flat footed. See the below post regarding the first planning meeting (To opponents - this is a closed meeting and I reserve the right to restrict entry)
Referendum Planning Meeting
I have reserved the Community Room at the Portsmouth Library for a Referendum Planning Meeting on Tuesday, June 29th from 6:30... If you have an interest in attending please email me at david@sosportsmouth.com.
And what a Council Meeting it was...
It has taken me hours to internalize last night's Council Meeting. Even though the Council voted back half the cut to the Schools, the Schools need to find $600,000+ in savings. You may remember that Dr. Lusi presented $800,000+ which included no sports, extra curricular, reduced FTEs etc; which the School Committee could not accept. I'm not sure if $600,000 isn't down that same path...
I feel a bit boxed-in and I think the School Committee will have a great deal of difficulty finding this money. Second, I am not sure if the Council will stand by their Provisional Vote because I think some members were not certain on what they were voting on. Third, there simply isn't enough support or concern from the parents. While I thank those who showed up last night, this is our budget and our school system. If we want great schools we need to come out and support them. We need a concerted effort to get everyone to the July 14th Public Meeting at the Little Theater (Portsmouth Middle School). I still believe we have a fight on our hands, so don't switch the channel off for the summer. Thanks!
I feel a bit boxed-in and I think the School Committee will have a great deal of difficulty finding this money. Second, I am not sure if the Council will stand by their Provisional Vote because I think some members were not certain on what they were voting on. Third, there simply isn't enough support or concern from the parents. While I thank those who showed up last night, this is our budget and our school system. If we want great schools we need to come out and support them. We need a concerted effort to get everyone to the July 14th Public Meeting at the Little Theater (Portsmouth Middle School). I still believe we have a fight on our hands, so don't switch the channel off for the summer. Thanks!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Town Council Meeting 6/23
We must keep up the pressure. Please join me for the Town Council Meeting on Wednesday (June 23rd - tomorrow!) to stand up for our schools. This process is far from exciting, but our presence is critical. Come out and learn the true stripes of our Town Council!
Organize Organize Organize
In the weeks ahead, we do not expect a sufficient number of Councilors to change their vote (Please remember their names in November). We will make every effort to change their minds in the weeks ahead, this may include a petition for the Public Hearing on July 14th (tentative). But, more importantly we need to prepare a second signature campaign calling for a referendum election later this summer. This election replaced the infamous "Tent Meeting" with an all day election. If we are able to obtain signatures from 10% of the electorate, we can ask the voters to provide their financial support to the Schools. A referendum question or questions will be developed and presented to the Town. We will have only 14 days (closer to 12) to obtain these signatures. If we do not begin the planning process now, we will not be prepared later in July.
So what do we need? We need precinct captains and neighborhood leaders to organize their street(s). We need volunteers to canvass Portsmouth homes. This will be exceedingly difficult based on its mid-summer schedule, but we do not have a choice. We will build a visibility campaign that should be in full force for the Town Meeting on July 14th. Unfortunately, we can not begin to obtain signatures until the budget is finalized. Sometime after the 14th.
Please stay-tuned for organizational meetings and information nights. More will be posted in a few days! Thank you everyone for your continued support and interest. Any interested volunteers can email info@sosportsmouth.com, please list your neighborhood and street.
So what do we need? We need precinct captains and neighborhood leaders to organize their street(s). We need volunteers to canvass Portsmouth homes. This will be exceedingly difficult based on its mid-summer schedule, but we do not have a choice. We will build a visibility campaign that should be in full force for the Town Meeting on July 14th. Unfortunately, we can not begin to obtain signatures until the budget is finalized. Sometime after the 14th.
Please stay-tuned for organizational meetings and information nights. More will be posted in a few days! Thank you everyone for your continued support and interest. Any interested volunteers can email info@sosportsmouth.com, please list your neighborhood and street.
The Night the Music Died
or as Monty Python said, "Not dead yet!" We have just begun to fight for our community, and I do mean all of our community: students, parents, grandparents, and seniors.
Last night's Council meeting certainly separated the wheat from the chaff; an ancient agricultural practice of winnowing, one form of which was to expose, say, wheat to the wind so that the chaff blew away and the grains remained. Thanks to Councilor Dennis Canario for providing the wind last night to expose those Council members who purported to support the schools.
In summary: The School Committee met as a Finance Sub-Committee at 6:00 and found close to $500,000 in proposed savings, which is an actual savings of $350,000 due to a structural deficit in the original budget submission. The Town Council had over $200,000 in savings. We looked as if we were headed for a deal. Due to the States cut in Local Aid and Education Aid, these cuts still were not enough to bring us under cap. We stood at $1,005,000 over the cap. David Faucher stated that would mean roughly $100 tax increase per average home - $8.33 per month. This assumes a car excise tax and an exemption of the first $3,000, which looked like the approach favored by the Council. $8.33 a month... $8.33 a month!
Rational argument was made by Councilor's Seveney and Canario, but then the true stripes came out. Going back to last week most people unfamiliar with some of the players actually believed Ms. Gleason, Mr. Plumb, and Mr. Hamilton actually supported the schools. After all, thats what they said. But, last night there was no support and the schools remain level funded. To put this into perspective, this is worse than the "Tent Meeting" and the subsequent legal action. Please read below for more regarding the futility of politics.
Where is the rage? These are our kids, this is our community; do we want to errode what makes Portsmouth great one teacher at a time. Who will want to live in our community? Who will want to buy our homes? All over $8.33!
Last night's Council meeting certainly separated the wheat from the chaff; an ancient agricultural practice of winnowing, one form of which was to expose, say, wheat to the wind so that the chaff blew away and the grains remained. Thanks to Councilor Dennis Canario for providing the wind last night to expose those Council members who purported to support the schools.
In summary: The School Committee met as a Finance Sub-Committee at 6:00 and found close to $500,000 in proposed savings, which is an actual savings of $350,000 due to a structural deficit in the original budget submission. The Town Council had over $200,000 in savings. We looked as if we were headed for a deal. Due to the States cut in Local Aid and Education Aid, these cuts still were not enough to bring us under cap. We stood at $1,005,000 over the cap. David Faucher stated that would mean roughly $100 tax increase per average home - $8.33 per month. This assumes a car excise tax and an exemption of the first $3,000, which looked like the approach favored by the Council. $8.33 a month... $8.33 a month!
Rational argument was made by Councilor's Seveney and Canario, but then the true stripes came out. Going back to last week most people unfamiliar with some of the players actually believed Ms. Gleason, Mr. Plumb, and Mr. Hamilton actually supported the schools. After all, thats what they said. But, last night there was no support and the schools remain level funded. To put this into perspective, this is worse than the "Tent Meeting" and the subsequent legal action. Please read below for more regarding the futility of politics.
Where is the rage? These are our kids, this is our community; do we want to errode what makes Portsmouth great one teacher at a time. Who will want to live in our community? Who will want to buy our homes? All over $8.33!
Monday, June 21, 2010
6/21 Town Council Meeting
Monday's Town Council Meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the New Gym at the High School. This is a continuation of the meeting of the 15th, a hearing, to review the School Department's budget. We do not expect any public comment at this hearing; but, it is important to have parents there in force! I hope to see everyone there.
Prior to the Town Council Hearing, the School Committee will host a Financial Sub-Committee Hearing in the Library at 6:00 PM.
I encourage everyone to make two phone calls so we keep our numbers strong!
Prior to the Town Council Hearing, the School Committee will host a Financial Sub-Committee Hearing in the Library at 6:00 PM.
I encourage everyone to make two phone calls so we keep our numbers strong!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
6/15 Town Council Meeting
Thank you everyone for attending tonight's Town Council Meeting, it really did matter. The outcome, the Town Council voted to take the information from tonight and have another budget workshop on Monday, June 21st in the New Gym. We will plan a rally prior to the 7:00 PM meeting, so stay tuned. We need to keep pressure on the Town Council. We need to keep attending. Even though the process seems slow, the presence of parents and students changes the debate. WE NEED YOU! And, we appreciate your time and energy!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Venue Change
Tuesday's Town Council meeting has been changed to the Portsmouth Middle School Little Theater. Let's fill the place!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Response to Team Plumb Letter
Email to Team Plumb, (Letter below)
I would ask as teammates if you believe we are better communicating then posturing, the time is now to speak to Mr. Plumb. I see no benefit in Portsmouth going back to Court for full funding of the school budget, and I would expect both sides to dig-in over the next two weeks. As I stated in my blog www.sosportsmouth.com, “this is insane.” Join with me in calling for a compromise before we waste $100ks on legal fees and reports, for the same outcome. Portsmouth schools face $2.07 million in cuts to State Education Aid over the next ten years, $207,000 annually. We need to get through this year to position our future forward with administration, unions, and operations. We believe an investment for the average citizen of $10/month is prudent and necessary. See more at www.sosportsmouth.com.
In response to Mr. Plumb’s letter:
Mr. Plumb fails to recognize is the School Committee budget is 2.51% higher than last year, in line with most every department in town. The exception is the Fire Department who masterfully rewrote their health contract. The School Committee is the only other department that receives income from the State, that State Aid was also cut causing the structural deficit. Mr. Plumb fails to recognize the actions taken by unions and administration to bring the FY 2011 budget in at a 2.51%: closing Elmhurst, freezing salaries, controlling costs, and laying off teachers. While Mr. Plumb naively assumes that the FY 2011 contract can be negotiated over a fortnight, he also is misleading residents by only using selective facts. Yes, teachers between the 9th step and the 10nth step receive a large increase, but it is the last contractual increase they will receive through the step process (required by State Law). Mr. Plumb fails to state that college educated teachers, some with Master Degrees, begin their teaching careers in the high $30K, maximizing in the low $70K - these are not ridiculous amounts; and, the last time I was in the classroom incredibly well deserved (see below for Steps 8, 9 & 10). As I stated above, our teachers have frozen salary increases these past years. As to health benefits, clearly this is a negotiation point, but Portsmouth teachers were the original leaders in paying cost-share before any other District. It is simply too easy to make the teachers the fault of the lack of support from the State. It is simply too easy to use macro-economic conditions to abdicate leadership. We have a School District that needs a budget on July 1, 2010.
I wrote previously on the SOS Facebook page, "My fear is our leaders stand on politics and we abdicate our leadership to the Courts." This in fact will be the final outcome because we lack communication and the will, no, the strength, to compromise. Please, as Mr. Plumb’s teammates, let’s call a different play this time. I will stand and honor Jeff for the strength in stating his conviction and compromising for our community. That is leadership!
Dave Croston
I would ask as teammates if you believe we are better communicating then posturing, the time is now to speak to Mr. Plumb. I see no benefit in Portsmouth going back to Court for full funding of the school budget, and I would expect both sides to dig-in over the next two weeks. As I stated in my blog www.sosportsmouth.com, “this is insane.” Join with me in calling for a compromise before we waste $100ks on legal fees and reports, for the same outcome. Portsmouth schools face $2.07 million in cuts to State Education Aid over the next ten years, $207,000 annually. We need to get through this year to position our future forward with administration, unions, and operations. We believe an investment for the average citizen of $10/month is prudent and necessary. See more at www.sosportsmouth.com.
In response to Mr. Plumb’s letter:
Mr. Plumb fails to recognize is the School Committee budget is 2.51% higher than last year, in line with most every department in town. The exception is the Fire Department who masterfully rewrote their health contract. The School Committee is the only other department that receives income from the State, that State Aid was also cut causing the structural deficit. Mr. Plumb fails to recognize the actions taken by unions and administration to bring the FY 2011 budget in at a 2.51%: closing Elmhurst, freezing salaries, controlling costs, and laying off teachers. While Mr. Plumb naively assumes that the FY 2011 contract can be negotiated over a fortnight, he also is misleading residents by only using selective facts. Yes, teachers between the 9th step and the 10nth step receive a large increase, but it is the last contractual increase they will receive through the step process (required by State Law). Mr. Plumb fails to state that college educated teachers, some with Master Degrees, begin their teaching careers in the high $30K, maximizing in the low $70K - these are not ridiculous amounts; and, the last time I was in the classroom incredibly well deserved (see below for Steps 8, 9 & 10). As I stated above, our teachers have frozen salary increases these past years. As to health benefits, clearly this is a negotiation point, but Portsmouth teachers were the original leaders in paying cost-share before any other District. It is simply too easy to make the teachers the fault of the lack of support from the State. It is simply too easy to use macro-economic conditions to abdicate leadership. We have a School District that needs a budget on July 1, 2010.
I wrote previously on the SOS Facebook page, "My fear is our leaders stand on politics and we abdicate our leadership to the Courts." This in fact will be the final outcome because we lack communication and the will, no, the strength, to compromise. Please, as Mr. Plumb’s teammates, let’s call a different play this time. I will stand and honor Jeff for the strength in stating his conviction and compromising for our community. That is leadership!
Dave Croston
Other Town Departments
I post the below budget details for information only. Our Fire, Police and DPW have been fighting for years for adequate funding. I do not question nor promote pitting one department against another. They are all deserving.
Percent Increases Requested by other Departments:
Fire 1.06 (w/ new health contract)
Police 3.92%
Public Works 5.73%
Employee Benefits 21.53%
Utilities and Town Hall 10.98%
Percent Increases Requested by other Departments:
Fire 1.06 (w/ new health contract)
Police 3.92%
Public Works 5.73%
Employee Benefits 21.53%
Utilities and Town Hall 10.98%
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Croston Newport Daily News Letter
I want to encourage every civic minded resident to attend the Portsmouth Town Council Hearing with the Portsmouth School Committee on Tuesday, June 15th; our collective voices need be heard. As Louis Brandeis said, "In the frank expression in conflicting opinions lies the greatest promise of wisdom in governmental action."
The Facts: #1) The Portsmouth School Committee has brought forth to the Town Council their FY2011 budget; it asks for an increase of 2.51% from last year. Were the Council to approve that budget, the levy or the Town's taxable obligation needs to increase greater than the 2.51% to cover a loss in State Education Aid – this places the increase at 4.5% or at the cap. #2) On June 11th the House and Senate passed a new funding formula for schools beginning on the FY2012 budget that calls for Portsmouth to lose $2.07 million in State Education Aid over ten years or $207,000 annually. #3) On June 2nd, the Town Council tentatively voted 5-2 to “Level Fund” the school system, a functional cut of $1.2 million from the Schools budget. #4) A final hearing on the Schools budget is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15th and a subsequent Financial Town Meeting with public comment will follow in late June.
The Portsmouth School Committee is funded by State Charter and has the obligation to uphold the State’s basic education plan, and the Council acts as the Schools taxing authority. RI Law provides recourse to the Schools to go to the Courts should it feel it cannot execute the State’s basic education plan with the funds provided. Portsmouth knows this process all too well. “Level Funding” will bring us right back to the Courts and a reasonable man would assume with the same outcome. The School Committee has closed the Elmhurst School, laid-off teachers, has cut its non-contractual budget to the bone, and our teachers will not receive a pay raise (irrespective of Step increases). The School budget increases 2.51%; in line with most other Town Departments. I believe the budget is reasonable. More importantly, I believe we need to face the larger issue of the loss of $2.1 million in future years today. I call for a one-time tax increase of $120 to bridge the present problem with the clear understanding that the School Committee work with administration, its unions, and in operations to find the $210,000 annually, if not more, immediately for FY 2012.
My fear on Tuesday is that our leaders will stand on politics and abdicate their leadership to the Courts. As someone said at the SOS Information Night, "$120 is one person's dinner out and another's weekly groceries." I understand that, but decimating our schools would also impact our home values – 1% devaluation on an average home is $3,500 or 29 years of $120 increases. Not to speak of the detrimental impact on our children and our community. We need true leadership in the present so that the structural deficit can be addressed long term.
Signed: David D. Croston
P.S. In Saturdays NDN paper Lisa Dickmann in a Letter to the Editor asked where I have been these past years: Ms. Dickmann my wife and I underwrite the Middle School fundraiser for late buses and extra curriculars; I donated over 300 hours of project management to the Gym; I served as the School Committee’s Vice Chairman, Chairman of the Gym Committee and its fundraising committee; I care enough to step forward – may I ask the question, and you?
The Facts: #1) The Portsmouth School Committee has brought forth to the Town Council their FY2011 budget; it asks for an increase of 2.51% from last year. Were the Council to approve that budget, the levy or the Town's taxable obligation needs to increase greater than the 2.51% to cover a loss in State Education Aid – this places the increase at 4.5% or at the cap. #2) On June 11th the House and Senate passed a new funding formula for schools beginning on the FY2012 budget that calls for Portsmouth to lose $2.07 million in State Education Aid over ten years or $207,000 annually. #3) On June 2nd, the Town Council tentatively voted 5-2 to “Level Fund” the school system, a functional cut of $1.2 million from the Schools budget. #4) A final hearing on the Schools budget is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15th and a subsequent Financial Town Meeting with public comment will follow in late June.
The Portsmouth School Committee is funded by State Charter and has the obligation to uphold the State’s basic education plan, and the Council acts as the Schools taxing authority. RI Law provides recourse to the Schools to go to the Courts should it feel it cannot execute the State’s basic education plan with the funds provided. Portsmouth knows this process all too well. “Level Funding” will bring us right back to the Courts and a reasonable man would assume with the same outcome. The School Committee has closed the Elmhurst School, laid-off teachers, has cut its non-contractual budget to the bone, and our teachers will not receive a pay raise (irrespective of Step increases). The School budget increases 2.51%; in line with most other Town Departments. I believe the budget is reasonable. More importantly, I believe we need to face the larger issue of the loss of $2.1 million in future years today. I call for a one-time tax increase of $120 to bridge the present problem with the clear understanding that the School Committee work with administration, its unions, and in operations to find the $210,000 annually, if not more, immediately for FY 2012.
My fear on Tuesday is that our leaders will stand on politics and abdicate their leadership to the Courts. As someone said at the SOS Information Night, "$120 is one person's dinner out and another's weekly groceries." I understand that, but decimating our schools would also impact our home values – 1% devaluation on an average home is $3,500 or 29 years of $120 increases. Not to speak of the detrimental impact on our children and our community. We need true leadership in the present so that the structural deficit can be addressed long term.
Signed: David D. Croston
P.S. In Saturdays NDN paper Lisa Dickmann in a Letter to the Editor asked where I have been these past years: Ms. Dickmann my wife and I underwrite the Middle School fundraiser for late buses and extra curriculars; I donated over 300 hours of project management to the Gym; I served as the School Committee’s Vice Chairman, Chairman of the Gym Committee and its fundraising committee; I care enough to step forward – may I ask the question, and you?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The Other Shoe
Funding Update courtesy of John McDaid
From www.Harddeadlines.com
Funding formula may be *slightly* less bad for Portsmouth
Fri, 06/11/2010 - 9:51am — jmcdaid
The state education funding formula which passed the general assembly last night includes a minor tweak to one of the multipliers, increasing the overall state share by .025 in 2011. When I rolled the numbers into the GoogleDocs spreadsheet (by changing the formula in column V) it reduces our loss in state aid from $2.6M to $2.1M, so our yearly hit would be $207K rather than $260K. It is not, contrary to the ProJo's breathless reporting, an "increase up to 50%," but it may be smaller decrease than anticipated.
Given the complexity of the formula, please take my numbers with appropriate grains of salt. I have a query in to the district to check.
Original Post
This evening the Rhode Island House and Senate voted in favor of the new Education Funding Formula. This will mean the loss of $2.6 million in State Education Aid for Portsmouth over the next ten years. We have spoken in previous posts of this cut, now it is a reality. The Portsmouth Schools have always been in the top quartile for performance and the bottom quartile for cost. We quite frankly deliver the best education value in Rhode Island; for that we can be proud. Unfortunately that same frugality hurts us in the funding formula. So, in the wisdom of RIDE, Portsmouth is penalized for our success.
These votes are a call to action for all of Portsmouth. How are we as a community going to maintain the quality of our schools while cutting $260,000 annually from our school budget? These votes are a clarion call to come together to address our present budget situation. We need to fund our system this year, and we need to quickly gather to address 2012 and beyond.
From www.Harddeadlines.com
Funding formula may be *slightly* less bad for Portsmouth
Fri, 06/11/2010 - 9:51am — jmcdaid
The state education funding formula which passed the general assembly last night includes a minor tweak to one of the multipliers, increasing the overall state share by .025 in 2011. When I rolled the numbers into the GoogleDocs spreadsheet (by changing the formula in column V) it reduces our loss in state aid from $2.6M to $2.1M, so our yearly hit would be $207K rather than $260K. It is not, contrary to the ProJo's breathless reporting, an "increase up to 50%," but it may be smaller decrease than anticipated.
Given the complexity of the formula, please take my numbers with appropriate grains of salt. I have a query in to the district to check.
Original Post
This evening the Rhode Island House and Senate voted in favor of the new Education Funding Formula. This will mean the loss of $2.6 million in State Education Aid for Portsmouth over the next ten years. We have spoken in previous posts of this cut, now it is a reality. The Portsmouth Schools have always been in the top quartile for performance and the bottom quartile for cost. We quite frankly deliver the best education value in Rhode Island; for that we can be proud. Unfortunately that same frugality hurts us in the funding formula. So, in the wisdom of RIDE, Portsmouth is penalized for our success.
These votes are a call to action for all of Portsmouth. How are we as a community going to maintain the quality of our schools while cutting $260,000 annually from our school budget? These votes are a clarion call to come together to address our present budget situation. We need to fund our system this year, and we need to quickly gather to address 2012 and beyond.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Dead End Road
What is insanity, as Albert Einstein is reported to have said: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results;" but, in Portsmouth insanity is not funding our basic education plan. It looks to me that we are headed right back to the Courts over what arguably is $120 to $200 per year tax increase for the average taxpayer. This is not the fault of the Town Council; it's being shoved down from the State. We need our Councilors to lead, to avoid another legal battle, and to recognize that the School Committee has put forth a reasonable budget. We need our Councilors and School Committee to address the larger long-term issue with the new State Education Funding Formula. Portsmouth is set to loose $2.6 million in State education aid over the next ten years. That means $260,000 per year! We might as well live in the Courts. Insanity!
As I stated earlier tonight, and as I have lived firsthand, the School Committee is chartered by the State and has a fiduciary duty is to maintain the basic education plan. The Council is chartered by the State as the taxing authority for the schools. RI Law allows the School Committee recourse to the Courts if the Basic Education Plan is not fulfilled, as we have witnessed. Does the Council believe that we are not headed back to the Courts? "Yes your Honor, we closed two schools, consolidated our elementary students in two schools, moved our 4th and 5th grades to available space at the Middle School, laid off teachers and staff..." shall I go on. Insanity is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees - that gets us nowhere!
Leadership is realizing this community faces difficult decisions, not just in the present, but for the next ten years! There are times that taxes become necessary. The State of Arizona passed a 1% temporary sales tax last month to fund education. The most conservative State in our Nation may just have its priorities straight. Today we need the leadership of the majority of Councilors to move beyond politics and support a reasonable tax increase. It is insanity not to believe that this will be the outcome of legal action, plus the legal fees, plus the added administrative cost of sending tax bills, and the bitterness between residents. Portsmouth would be provided a tax waiver from the cap due to loss of non-property income, namely State Aid. Do we have the Council with enough leadership to make these difficult decisions?
We as a community need then to discuss, debate, and answer the bigger problem of the forthcoming $2.5 million in loss of State Aid over the next ten years. We all need to be at the table: parents, unions, School Committee and Council. We face real persistent budget gaps and we can not expect to answer these problems in two weeks.
I urge residents to email the Council if you agree with me that this is insanity.
As I stated earlier tonight, and as I have lived firsthand, the School Committee is chartered by the State and has a fiduciary duty is to maintain the basic education plan. The Council is chartered by the State as the taxing authority for the schools. RI Law allows the School Committee recourse to the Courts if the Basic Education Plan is not fulfilled, as we have witnessed. Does the Council believe that we are not headed back to the Courts? "Yes your Honor, we closed two schools, consolidated our elementary students in two schools, moved our 4th and 5th grades to available space at the Middle School, laid off teachers and staff..." shall I go on. Insanity is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees - that gets us nowhere!
Leadership is realizing this community faces difficult decisions, not just in the present, but for the next ten years! There are times that taxes become necessary. The State of Arizona passed a 1% temporary sales tax last month to fund education. The most conservative State in our Nation may just have its priorities straight. Today we need the leadership of the majority of Councilors to move beyond politics and support a reasonable tax increase. It is insanity not to believe that this will be the outcome of legal action, plus the legal fees, plus the added administrative cost of sending tax bills, and the bitterness between residents. Portsmouth would be provided a tax waiver from the cap due to loss of non-property income, namely State Aid. Do we have the Council with enough leadership to make these difficult decisions?
We as a community need then to discuss, debate, and answer the bigger problem of the forthcoming $2.5 million in loss of State Aid over the next ten years. We all need to be at the table: parents, unions, School Committee and Council. We face real persistent budget gaps and we can not expect to answer these problems in two weeks.
I urge residents to email the Council if you agree with me that this is insanity.
Information Night
I want to thank the 75 supporters (and maybe a few non-supporters) who attended our information night.
I also want to thank John McDaid, who is always prepared and did a great job; John presented the budget historically and discussed the current budget situation. My thanks to Terri Cortvriend and Chris Carceller, as well, for their support. And, final thanks to Jim Seveney for his perspective from the Council.
I did call upon Keith Hamilton, who was very good to come up and talk about his perspective. We tried to allow opposition to speak and I unfortunately had to short some of their speeches. But, I thank them for their attendance and ideas.
What is very clear after tonight is we need more parents in the seats, more parents standing for their kids and community - we need you on June 15th to help us deliver a message. See the post below for contact points, Councilor emails, and Letter to the Editor information.
Thanks!
I also want to thank John McDaid, who is always prepared and did a great job; John presented the budget historically and discussed the current budget situation. My thanks to Terri Cortvriend and Chris Carceller, as well, for their support. And, final thanks to Jim Seveney for his perspective from the Council.
I did call upon Keith Hamilton, who was very good to come up and talk about his perspective. We tried to allow opposition to speak and I unfortunately had to short some of their speeches. But, I thank them for their attendance and ideas.
What is very clear after tonight is we need more parents in the seats, more parents standing for their kids and community - we need you on June 15th to help us deliver a message. See the post below for contact points, Councilor emails, and Letter to the Editor information.
Thanks!
SOS Information Night
SAVE OUR SCHOOLS
Information Night
"In the frank expression in conflicting opinions lies the greatest promise of wisdom in governmental action." Louis M. Brandeis
Information Night Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Setting the Tone
3. The Budget Process & Reality & from the Council Perspective
4. Vision of our School District
5. Questions
Thank you for your time this evening and your continued support for Portsmouth Education. We need your help in molding the future of Portsmouth; we need your commitment to show your support for the funding of education. This will mean a few hours listening to our Council and School Committee on June 15th and a few hours listening and possibly speaking at the Financial Town Meeting later this month. But let’s not wait, we collectively need to raise the alarm and notify our neighbors of the threats to our school district. We can do this through direct phone calls, emails, Letters to the Editor, calls and emails to our Councilors, and following the actions of the Council, School Committee and Save Our Schools.
We believe it is critical that we raise the bar and not make this a debate Councilor vs. Parents, Council vs. Parents, or Us vs. Them. We learned from the tent meeting the cost of dividing our town, and we would hate to go through that again. Let’s speak in support of the schools: the conservative budget with an increase of 2.5% over last year’s budget, the importance of strong schools in our community, the importance of extra-curricular activities for all children, the spirit and collaboration driven by sports, and the value we derive from education.
Information Night
"In the frank expression in conflicting opinions lies the greatest promise of wisdom in governmental action." Louis M. Brandeis
Information Night Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Setting the Tone
3. The Budget Process & Reality & from the Council Perspective
4. Vision of our School District
5. Questions
Thank you for your time this evening and your continued support for Portsmouth Education. We need your help in molding the future of Portsmouth; we need your commitment to show your support for the funding of education. This will mean a few hours listening to our Council and School Committee on June 15th and a few hours listening and possibly speaking at the Financial Town Meeting later this month. But let’s not wait, we collectively need to raise the alarm and notify our neighbors of the threats to our school district. We can do this through direct phone calls, emails, Letters to the Editor, calls and emails to our Councilors, and following the actions of the Council, School Committee and Save Our Schools.
We believe it is critical that we raise the bar and not make this a debate Councilor vs. Parents, Council vs. Parents, or Us vs. Them. We learned from the tent meeting the cost of dividing our town, and we would hate to go through that again. Let’s speak in support of the schools: the conservative budget with an increase of 2.5% over last year’s budget, the importance of strong schools in our community, the importance of extra-curricular activities for all children, the spirit and collaboration driven by sports, and the value we derive from education.
Save the Date
We have no voice unless we can demonstrate our support!
Tuesday, June 15th 7:00 Town Council Meeting (Plan to arrive at 6:30)
Sites to Follow:
http://www.harddeadlines.com/
http://www.sosportsmouth.com/
On Facebook: Save the Arts and Sports in Portsmouth RI
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132069440138297
Letters to the Editor:
Newport Daily News editor@newportri.com
Sakonnet Times sakonnet@eastbaynewspapers.com
Hard Deadlines jmcdaid@torvex.com
Call or Write to the Council:
Peter McIntyre, President 683-0210 pmcintyre@portsmouthri.com
Huck Little 683-3232 hlittle@portsmouthri.com
Keith Hamilton 683-5574 khamilton@portsmouthri.com
Jeff Plumb 846-9185 jplumb@portsmouthri.com
Karen Gleason 683-9653 kgleason@portsmouthri.com
Dennis Canario 683-4926 dcanario@portsmouthri.com
Jim Seveney 683-3046 jseveney@portsmouthri.com
Thank you for attending, and we hope to see you on June 15th with your neighbors and friends.
Friday, June 4, 2010
SOS PORTSMOUTH
Information MeetingWednesday, June 9th
Little Theater
Portsmouth Middle School
7:00 -8:00 PM
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