Posts
I passionately believe we are building our future, building an open and supportive educational environment for Portsmouth. This referendum will put the negative in our rear view mirror, and put an end to the attacks on our system. Am I naive? Together we can change the debate putting the PCC, the Tea Tottlers, and those who wish to paint us broadly into the background. How? We stand together. We take one positive step at a time. We speak openly. We engage the very silent majority. We honestly can do this, if we do it together. Join me in making this referendum the first positive step.
Thank you, I am proud to supPORT SCHOOLS!
Friday, August 6, 2010
500 to GO!!!
We are well on our way!!! Thank you everyone who is volunteering and everyone who is signing! This is the hardest 500 signatures, the last 1/3. Let's really step up our game and bring this referendum successfully home. We will be up at the High School this afternoon from 4-7, at the Transfer Station from 7:00 tomorrow morning, at Sandy Point Beach from about 8:30 tomorrow, and in your neighborhood! Lets double our effort!
This morning someone from the schools came out to thank me for all our efforts. He expressed how much they all care about the kids in our schools and how they have not sought raises. He reiterated what I know very well, the schools simply do not have extra anything. I, too, thanked him and expressed what I believe we all feel - Portsmouth has the best administrators, teachers and staff. It is an honor to support this group!
This morning someone from the schools came out to thank me for all our efforts. He expressed how much they all care about the kids in our schools and how they have not sought raises. He reiterated what I know very well, the schools simply do not have extra anything. I, too, thanked him and expressed what I believe we all feel - Portsmouth has the best administrators, teachers and staff. It is an honor to support this group!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
NDN Letter to Editor (Friday)
I want to first thank the Newport Daily News for its extensive coverage of our referendum drive. Newport Daily News is our community paper, binding our residents through knowledge of local events. The more facts we know the stronger we are-Thank You to Jim Johnson and NDN!
We are at the mid-way point of our campaign and a little more than half-way to reaching our goal of 1,500 signatures. I want to thank all the volunteers who have been canvassing neighborhoods and standing at sporting fields - they are the unsung heroes for our schools. I also want to thank the residents who have signed the petition for their support. As we come to our final turn, I wanted to put forth some truths as simply as I can. The Referendum requests the schools receive 1.5% more than last year. This is below inflation and represents a “bare-bones” budget for the Schools. There are no salary increases for our teachers other than the mandated step increases in the first ten years. Concessions have been made by the teachers in the past and will be made in the future. Do you know Portsmouth per pupil expense is $11,500 and ranks 34th of 36 Districts. This includes all salary, benefits and operational expenses. This compares to over $15,000 in Middletown and $18,000 in Newport. The referendum seeks to counter the Town Council’s cut of $1.1 million from the School Committee’s budget; that amount is less in a total dollar amount than this year. The Schools cannot run on that budget, so we have a choice. We can have a referendum were everyone in the Town can vote (up or down) at a cost of $15,000; or, we can spend as a Town $300,000+ on studies, reports, and legal fees on the second Caruolo law suit in five years. We implore you to support the referendum as the best and least expensive alternative.
You can follow the petition drive at www.sosportsmouth.com. We will be at the High School Friday night from 4-7, or until you have had a chance to sign. Come down and supPORT SCHOOLS.
David D. Croston
We are at the mid-way point of our campaign and a little more than half-way to reaching our goal of 1,500 signatures. I want to thank all the volunteers who have been canvassing neighborhoods and standing at sporting fields - they are the unsung heroes for our schools. I also want to thank the residents who have signed the petition for their support. As we come to our final turn, I wanted to put forth some truths as simply as I can. The Referendum requests the schools receive 1.5% more than last year. This is below inflation and represents a “bare-bones” budget for the Schools. There are no salary increases for our teachers other than the mandated step increases in the first ten years. Concessions have been made by the teachers in the past and will be made in the future. Do you know Portsmouth per pupil expense is $11,500 and ranks 34th of 36 Districts. This includes all salary, benefits and operational expenses. This compares to over $15,000 in Middletown and $18,000 in Newport. The referendum seeks to counter the Town Council’s cut of $1.1 million from the School Committee’s budget; that amount is less in a total dollar amount than this year. The Schools cannot run on that budget, so we have a choice. We can have a referendum were everyone in the Town can vote (up or down) at a cost of $15,000; or, we can spend as a Town $300,000+ on studies, reports, and legal fees on the second Caruolo law suit in five years. We implore you to support the referendum as the best and least expensive alternative.
You can follow the petition drive at www.sosportsmouth.com. We will be at the High School Friday night from 4-7, or until you have had a chance to sign. Come down and supPORT SCHOOLS.
David D. Croston
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
600+ is simply not enough
OK, let me change tone... I am quite frankly disappointed to not be further allong in our goal. Core constituants simply aren't in the game. Student's are not engaged. What will it take? Is coming 100 signatures short on the 11th (our 14th day) the ultimate wake-up call? We have volunteers spending days, multiple hours, gathering signatures; can I ask our supporters to give us 15 minutes? This is the bottom-line question, and it is up to you. This Thursday and Friday, Sign & Drive, Portsmouth High School from 6-9am and 4-7pm. We need you to swing by and give us your support - we need it!!!!
If you have questions, please email me at david@sosportsmouth.com.
Thank You
If you have questions, please email me at david@sosportsmouth.com.
Thank You
HONK FOR EDUCATION
Thank you to everyone who came out for the rally! We had good coverage from Newport Daily News and Portsmouth Patch (www.portsmouth.patch.com) so look for the headlines. We actually received a fair number of signatures as well. Thank you to the candidates for Town Council: Canario, Katzman, Seveney, Honnen, and Cortvriend; and, school committee: McDaid for their support.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Jim Seveney email - Thank You Jim!
To all of you (over 150) folks who emailed me with your concerns about our schools... The petition effort to collect the 1,400 signatures we need to hold a referendum is well underway. I don't have to tell you how critical it is to restore the funding cut by the council. So if you haven't signed the petition yet, please take advantage of one of several opportunities over this week:
- School support rally, Tuesday 8/3 starting at 4:30pm, at the corner of Turnpike and East Main (in front of BankNewport),
- Portsmouth High School, Thurs 8/5 & Fri 8/6, from 6-9am & 4-7pm... just drive up, sign, and drive off.
And when you come, please bring some friends with you.
If these times don't work for you, let me know and we'll find another way to get to you. Every voice, every signature... and every vote... is key to shaping our own future. It's all on us.
I thank all of you once again for your calls, emails, letters, and your presence at the budget meetings... now we need to push all the harder to get this question to a town-wide ballot.
I apologize if you have received this information previously... we just want to be sure that everyone gets the word in time to participate. If you wish, please feel free to forward this email on to anyone you think is interested in supporting the effort.
Best regards,
Jim Seveney
Where to find the Petition??
Thank You everyone, we are on our way WITH A LONG WAY TO GO! Monday at 5:00 petition volunteers will be at Seveney Field. Tuesday come down and join our rally at Turnpike & East Main (at BankNewport & Clements). And, our Sign & Drive campaign begins Thursday morning at 6:00 - Thursday and Friday 6-9 am and 4-7 pm at the High School.
I spent the weekend canvassing two neighborhoods and enjoyed meeting fellow neighbors. Two of three households were supportive. I could write a book on my weekend experiences... eight kids playing baseball in the front yard and "NO"; well who is going to educate your kids? "I'm sending my kids to private schools!" Do you care about the value of your home? And, far too many too busy gardening, flipping pancakes, painting... to even take the time to sign. We as a society are changing and placing walls around ourselves. Join me in fighting to keep Portsmouth a community!
I spent the weekend canvassing two neighborhoods and enjoyed meeting fellow neighbors. Two of three households were supportive. I could write a book on my weekend experiences... eight kids playing baseball in the front yard and "NO"; well who is going to educate your kids? "I'm sending my kids to private schools!" Do you care about the value of your home? And, far too many too busy gardening, flipping pancakes, painting... to even take the time to sign. We as a society are changing and placing walls around ourselves. Join me in fighting to keep Portsmouth a community!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
