A Representative Democracy,like America (theoretically), should have representatives that represent the constituency (pardon the repetition).
With all the talk about how our representatives on Smith Hill have embodied the views of Hopkinton, or how they have not accurately done so, I decided to contact them. I am sure that those who disagree with you are writing or calling them too. Many of them donate as well.
Quite frankly, I’m shocked any legislator would advocate for a bond. The tax cap has been put in place to force towns and schools to deal with runaway costs and poor performance. It is endemic in our state! Passing a bond is just another one-time fix that will prolong fiscal mismanagement.
RI has a basic problem – we pay high prices for low quality goods and services. As an example:
RI expenditures are among the highest on infrastructure (48th on capital, 45th on maintenance) but we rank 2nd highest in the percentage of poor road and 53% of our bridges are deficient (the highest % in the nation).
Welfare spending is among the highest but RI has reported that over 50% of those on welfare have been on for more than 5 years and 25% have been on for more than 10 years. During the last decade the nation lowered poverty by over 8% while RI poverty grew by over 6%.
And I don’t think I need to remind this audience how expensive and ineffective public education is.
Our representatives need to change the way we do business. We DO NOT need to find more band-aids to cover up the problems. IF the bond were to pass, what do you think are the odd that Chariho would do anything substantialwith the contracts?
Hopkintonvoted on this bond – and the Town Council has made its point strongly. Why are some people in Providence not listening to us? You might want to contact your local rep on the Hill.
Email Representative Brian Kennedy at rep-kennedy@rilin.state.ri.us
Email Senator Kevin Breene at sen-breene@rilin.state.ri.us
Chariho School Parents' Forum 
I believe the removal of the specified reimbursement rate was the key to passage of the re-vote.
Chariho towns can pass the bonds and the state seems to be under no obligation to reimburse us a cent. I wonder what was said about the language change?
Comment by Curious Resident — June 7, 2008 @ 11:03 am |
Overtaxed by the state and school district, undereducated children, Mr Kennedy wants to keep us barefoot, poor and stupid. Why? Does this make him feel more powerful? Smarter?
Comment by Dorothy Gardiner — June 8, 2008 @ 8:29 am |
Kennedy grew up on politics. I’d imagine his every decision is calculated. As a democrat in RI state politics he must be beholden to the government teacher unions. The unions deliver him power and he is at their beck and call in return. The nature of RI politics. No one to blame but the voters for putting up with it for so long.
Comment by Real Question — June 8, 2008 @ 6:55 pm |
What is the next step? Has it moved in the senate?
We were told it needed to be ready to go by June 30th, but now they’ve removed any mention of reimbursement the revote can happen any time since the state hasn’t committed to paying any part of it, right?
Brian Kennedy is a skilled pol. Have a face to face conversation with him and watch him nod like the toy dog in the back window. Never take his nodding for agreement. He rarely takes positions on principle. He waits to see what he’s told to vote.
For small potatoes stuff, like forcing Hopkinton families to give millions more to Chariho, he gets to make his own decisions, but you can bet his decisions are based on politics and not principle. When you make people vote twice because the first outcome isn’t what you wanted, you lack principles.
Comment by Truth or Consequences — June 10, 2008 @ 11:17 am |
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE IN HOPKINTON TODAY! TOWN HALL “TIL 9 PM
Comment by Dorothy Gardiner — June 10, 2008 @ 12:28 pm |
I won’t vote today because I don’t know the spending well enough to decide if the Hopkinton TC is spending responsibly. I do think roads are a legitimate government function so I theoretically support a road bond but then again maybe the roads should be taken care of in the budget just like Chariho buildings should be taken care of in their budget?
I also think Hopkinton spends a million or even more than necessary for policing. I know this TC has reduced the police spending but it is still way too much. I would probably reject the budget for this alone if I were going to vote. I’m not a big believer in everyone voting even if they are stupid about all the issues. This year I am stupid about some of the issues so I think my neighbors are better off if I keep my stupidity to myself! I’ll let my neighbors who have taken the time to inform themselves decide if the spending is reasonable or not. I hope everyone who is ignorant about the budget stays home too. No point voting if you don’t know what you’re voting on.
Comment by Truth or Consequences — June 10, 2008 @ 4:00 pm |
T or C, you are probably right, but your common sense is pretty good. We have kept the budget in line as best we can (of course, I would think that) but the road bond is needed throughout town.
There are roads in town like Dye Hill that take a million all by themselves -can’t do that one year in a town budget…no one would like it. These projects have 20 year life spans – roads – chip seal and re-pave, drainage, guardrails. Some of it can be done in the normal budget. Generally we have about 50,000 put aside each year for maintenance — but a long road takes mucho dinero at one time.
Everyone has 1/2 hour left to vote at the town hall. Thanks.
Comment by BarbaraC — June 10, 2008 @ 8:30 pm |
Hi all: Any news on the voting results?
Comment by george abbott — June 10, 2008 @ 9:28 pm |
To everyone who took the time to vote – thank you.
Comment by BarbaraC — June 11, 2008 @ 8:45 pm |
anyone hear dan york BLAST Hopkinton today on the radio?? called us a bunch of rednecks who are too stupid to vote since there was only a 4% turnout. He really slammed the town and said Rhode Island should give it away to Connecticut.
Comment by what? — June 11, 2008 @ 9:32 pm |
I didn’t hear Mr. York, but I’m sure it will help ratings. They don’t pay much attention to us down here too often…I’m surprised they even knew Hopkinton was in Rhode Island.
I tend to agree with T or C…I’d prefer people stay home if they don’t know the issues. If the 4% in Hopkinton understood what they were voting for, then that beats a 75% turnout where 73% don’t have a clue. I wouldn’t be proud of an electorate who voted simply for the sake of voting.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 11, 2008 @ 9:55 pm |
We have voter apathy, and we also have the lack of an absantee voting process for all day referendums.
I would like to exercise my right to vote, but I must also work for a living.
Comment by RS — June 12, 2008 @ 4:58 pm |
Hi!
Dan Yorke dan@630wpro.com was at the Republican State Convention last night in Lincoln. I did not talk with him but said hello as I recall. Richmond apparently had no officials show up. Charlestown and Hopkinton did. From Charlestown there was Robert Manning who failed in his bid for re-election to the GOP National Committee but has much to be proud of. State Rep. Joe Trillo of Warwick prevailed. Also from Charlestown was Forrestyer Safford and Mary Taylor. From Hopkinton there was Bill Felkner,Henry “Hank” Muller, George Abbott, and myself.
Robert G. “Bob” Tingle , a former Hopkinton resident now living in Westerly, got approval for running against U.S. Sen. Jack Reed for United States Senate. They were opponents in 2002,. Tingle provided leadership in regards to the petition to get the immediate previous Chariho Supt. removed from his position.
Regards,
Scott
Comment by Scott Bill Hirst — June 13, 2008 @ 4:04 pm |
Hi!
1.I put a “y” in Forrester.
2. I talked to the Governor about the Chariho bills.Also discussed them with some legislators there. Yesterday the Senate Finance Committee passed the legislation. Apparently the Hopkinton Town Council did not attend but I am not sure many people attended if any at the State House.
Regards,
Scott
Comment by Scott Bill Hirst — June 13, 2008 @ 4:09 pm |
Kennedy failed to protect Hopkinton’s vote. Now it’s Breene’s turn. If Breene doesn’t stop the revote I won’t vote for him the next time he runs. If he does what Kennedy did and votes to force Hopkinton to revote, I’ll never give him my vote again.
From there it will be Carcieri’s test. He can veto the revote. If he really is interested in controlling state spending, a veto is justified based on Hopkinton’s first vote. Plus he’d potentially be saving the state a few million dollars.
If all the politicians fail, then once again it will be up to the people of Hopkinton to make a stand. Recent budget and road bond tallies tell me that any Chariho bond is likely to be rejected once again by the responsible families in Hopkinton.
Comment by Real Question — June 13, 2008 @ 9:27 pm |
SBH-
Why didn’t you rip York a new one instead of sucking up to the state politicians. You really think the governor gives two craps about your opinion on the revote? They don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves. By the way, when is your official campaign kickoff raffly?
Comment by what? — June 14, 2008 @ 9:27 am |
sorry that should of been rally in my last post
Comment by what? — June 14, 2008 @ 9:27 am |
RS, most people who do vote, work for a living. You couldn’t manange to get to poll at all during the entire day? If that’s the case, then you wouldn’t have been able to get to an FTM to vote either since it’s usually in the evening. What if the all day referendun or FTM was held on a Saturday, would you have been able to cast a vote then? If you and other feel you could get to vote on a Saturday then I suggest voters get together and petition the council to change it to a Saturday if you would think that would help.
Comment by CharihoParent — June 14, 2008 @ 9:56 am |
RQ, does Kevin Breene represent only Hopkinton? Nope. He also represents Charlestown and Richmond. As any legislator would and should do, he will go along with the what the majority of the towns he represents want, not what just one wants. Since both Richmond and Charlestown wanted to vote on the new bond proposal he went along with them. Don’t you understand the logic of it all? I guess you’re not being very logical. What a dunce!
Comment by CharihoParent — June 14, 2008 @ 10:01 am |
Hi!
1.In regards to “What?”, I did not know about Dan Yorke’s comments about Hopkinton but I will e-mail him. I do not follow his radio show.
2.If you want to contact the Governor on the Chariho legislation or anything e-mail him at rigov@gov.state.ri.us ,.Frankly, I could have just engaged in pleasantries with the Governor last Thursday evening but I discussed Chariho when I had the chance!
3. I am thinking of Tim Russert who I had a pleasure to see a couple of times. I will be deeply missed.
4. Tomorrow evening the Hopkinton Republican Town Committee will be meeting dealing with candidate issues. If you want to run as a Republican please get in touch with Ken Mott, 688-7140 or myself 377-4643 if you can’t make it.Only unaffiliateds and Republicans can run as Republicans.If you like you may just want to be on the Republican Town Committee but must file for that also.Meeting time is 7 P.M., at Hopkinton Police Station.
Regards,
Scott
Comment by Scott Bill Hirst — June 14, 2008 @ 10:02 am |
Hi!
1.He will be deeply missed in #20.Another goof by me. Well at least I try!
2.Tuesday is the deadline for those wishing to run for office in the Ashaway Fire District:They are the following followed by who currently holds the office:
Moderator:Ronald Kennedy,Brian’s father
Fire Commissioner: Kathy Schmidt. Kathy is current Chair and serves with Keith Roode and myself. Our terms are not up. We are elected for staggered three year terms. Unlike the Hope Valley-Wyoming Fire District which bars active volunteer firefighters serving on their governing board, Ashaway allows it. Their governing board is called Directors, ours is called Fire Commissioners. Presently Keith Roode is the only firefighter who serves as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners in the Ashaway Fire District.
Clerk:Linda Holman
Treasurer:Joyce Smith
Tax Collector:George E. Mayhew, Jr.,
Questions you should on this you should contact Mrs. Holman at 401-377-4651,. All positions get compensation except the Fire Commisioners and possibly the Moderator.But the Moderator may get compensation also? That position is the less time consuming of all.
The Ashaway Fire District takes up most of the land area of Hopkinton. Voters can be either registered voters in Hopkinton or taxpayers in the district regardless of where they live.However officers of the district must live in the district. Officer candidates must file beforehand with the deadline Tuesday. The only exception is if nobody files for the office. The annual meeting of the district is the Third Thursday in July.
Regards,
Scott
Comment by Scott Bill Hirst — June 14, 2008 @ 11:23 am |
Hi!
The 34TH Senatorial District takes in West Greenwich,Exeter,Richmond,Hopkinton, and a small piece of Charlestown represented by Sen. Breene.Most of Charlestown and all of Westerly is represented in the State Senate by Dennis Algiere.
Regards,
Scott
Member and Secretary, 34TH Republican Senatorial District Committee
Comment by Scott Bill Hirst — June 14, 2008 @ 12:08 pm |
Scott, even though the 34th senatorial district is a small piece of Charlestown, it’s still part of Sen. Breen’s district. He still has to represent that small part. The small part is part of the larger picture. Would he be representing them if their town wasn’t part of the overall bigger picture that Sen. Breene has to account to?
Comment by CharihoParent — June 14, 2008 @ 2:04 pm |
Simply put CharihoParent, I work out of town….matter of fact, I wasn’t even in the country during the vote. What about the men and women defending our rights abroad…shouldn’t they also have a say. I agree on petitioning for a change, this is in the works.
Comment by RS — June 14, 2008 @ 2:11 pm |
Speaking of representatives, I did notice that no councilor from either Charlestown or Hopkinton was present at last night’s Chariho graduation. I also noticed that Bill Felkner and some other members of the School Committee were not present. Every member of the school committee should have been present to show their support and to congratulate the graduates. No matter what your feelings are towards the school district, it should not be reflected at the time of their graduation. It’s a momentous occasion for the student. It was a lot of hard work for them. My child noticed that only two councilors out of the thirteen councilors in all three towns were present. That’s a pathetic statement the councilors have made, they should be ashamed of themselves. I’m truly disgusted with the town councils from Charlestown and Hopkinton for at least not having some representation. From my understanding, the invitations were sent out approximately two weeks ago. There is no legitimate excuse for at least having one or two councilors there.
Comment by CharihoParent — June 14, 2008 @ 2:14 pm |
I do agree with Chariho Parents comment above. I was able to attend last year and was surprised so few councilors from any town attended a very lovely and important ceremony. I RSVP’d that I would attend and then could not this year as another matter was more pressing. But it is important to attend this ceremony no matter your views.
Comment by BarbaraC — June 14, 2008 @ 4:49 pm |
I can appreciate the fact no matter the tri towns politics each Town should have had one representative once the kids walk off the stage with their diploma get a best wishes, congratulations or all the best from at least one designated member of each town. After a $50 plus Million dollar budget and roughly 80% of the Towns Budgets spent on education one would think with five councilors per town and anywhere between 3 to school committee folks someone could have made it right for the kids. Easy for me to say I know. But one out of 8 or 9 representative who could have sat on the stage, been recognized as a Town Representative and then walked off stage down some steps that the kids would be be existing after they received their diploma would have been a nice touch to get a congratulations would be proper.
Chariho Parent I agree with you and Barbara C.
Comment by James Hirst — June 14, 2008 @ 5:33 pm |
Get real. I had no clue which polticians attended my graduation. I’m sure that very few kids give a rat’s ass if anyone other than people they know are at the ceremony.
Sorry school board members, but while your egos may make you think you matter to the students, I’d be suprised if 10 seniors could name a school board member. Town councilors can forget it. None of the kids know your names. I saw Billy Day at a school function this year. He hung out in the shadows like some kind of criminal. Not one kid cared if he were there or not. He talked to few adults but even adults avoided him for the most part.
I spend 6 hours at a graduation party today. Lot of graduates talking. They all commented that the ceremony was too long and the speakers too long winded. They wanted their hard earned diplomas; some recognition from their families and friends; and then a party. We adults may like the show, but you’re fooling yourselves if you think any of the kids were counting school board members in attendance. How silly.
Comment by Real Question — June 15, 2008 @ 12:24 am |
RQ, you’re more of a fool than what I thought for thinking my child didn’t notice. She knows that no other town was represented by a town councilor. It was one of her first comments to us. Once again you show your stupidity for talking about things you know nothing about, talking about a person you have no knowledge of. There were two speeches that were too long. One by a teacher, one by the class president. Other than that it really wasn’t too bad. The students are more aware than what you give them credit for. What a buffoon you really and truly are!
Comment by CharihoParent — June 15, 2008 @ 6:52 am |
I’m sure your daughter can recite all the Presidents and their wife’s names too. Somebody in your family must have brains. We know it isn’t you.
Too bad she’d let the absence of a few strangers effect her happiness. After 12 years of education one of the first things she comments about is town councilors from other towns? How sad. Maybe every teacher who ever taught her should have been there too? At least she might recognize them.
Did she cry that all her former teachers weren’t there? I do have have to admit that if your kid concerns herself with unknown politicians who did or didn’t attend a graduation, she is definitely one of a kind.
Comment by Real Question — June 15, 2008 @ 8:13 am |
yeah….the kids want to see a blowhard like jim mageau or andy poulouski at the ceremony……give me a break. who cares if they werent there
Comment by what? — June 15, 2008 @ 8:52 am |
and it sounds like charihoparent is the one making this political. if your daughter had such a great ceremony, why dont you just shut your trap and enjoy it rather than using this cheap pathetic example to throwing people under the bus. had politicians such as felkner been there, you would have criticized them anyway. sounds like you want your own horn blown.
Comment by what? — June 15, 2008 @ 8:55 am |
Chariho Parent I do agree that we should be there and recognize the hard work these students have put forth to graduate high school. I won’t blame anyone for not being there as I do not know the circumstances for them not attending. Unfortuantly Westerly and I think N.Stonington also have their graduation the same night,some may have to attend other graduations.
I don’t do this for the recognition, I do this becasue I want to try to make a difference. I think it is great that your daughter noticed that these poloticians were not in attendance. If for nothing else; she seems to be aware of what is happening in our district. I only wish more adults would take a minute to look around. Let’s just take a look at how many people actually took the time to go and vote on Hopkinton’s budget, an all day referendum. I know some may be working or out of town, but certainly not that many.
I want to congradulate all of our “Graduates”. They did an outstanding job with all the work they had to do. It is amazing to see how many of the students walked across that stage with some sort of cord hanging on their gowns. We can all sit and argue over how Chariho is doing but the proof is in the pudding. These students are achieving, and I am proud of all of them.
“CONGRADULATIONS CHARIHO CLASS OF 2008”
Comment by bob petit — June 15, 2008 @ 10:15 am |
Firstly, I would like to say congratulations to the class of 2008. You will always have fond memories of your years at Chariho. They will never leave you. Though your friends may move to distant places, they will always be a part of you. Best of luck for your futures.
Secondly, I am glad that CharihoParent’s child is taking an interest in the political realm. She is likely in a small minority of young adults that do that. She is to be commended, but don’t let it consume you.
Now the argument about everyone being at the graduation is not very likely. Some would make people think that they don’t care about you if they don’t attend. That is absurd. Those are the people who have actually no idea about the amount of time these councilors have their lives put into various activities, nevermind their own personal jobs and families.
One could argue that the councilors should attend every function that affects every resident of their community because they represent that community. This is not humanly possible and will only quickly drive that person into an early grave.
These people also have many other functions that they participate. Besides the council, they may have full-time jobs, businesses, families, liaison responsibilities for their council positions, contract negotiations, volunteer activities, other obligations and functions to attend, etc., etc., etc.,
So, I will tell you this, these people dedicate a substantial amount of their time and energies to make for a better community for those people who just sit back and receive. They do it because they want to, they love it, and they love the towns that they live in. Last time I checked, they are not gods.
Sure, it would be nice if they could have attended, but this is not always possible.
On a personal note, I have actually no clue which councilors or school committee members attended my graduation, and I could have cared less at the time. The only people I knew existed within the realm of school were the teachers, the principal, vice principal, disciplinarian, and the superintendent.
All I wanted was my diploma that I had worked so hard to get, and to be with my friends and family. To see my mother’s and father’s smile of acceptance and love was the best. Then to be with my friends was next for I knew our lives were changing and the comfort of school would no longer be there.
I did not take inventory of all the dignitaries who attended my graduation.
Remember, these people, with the love, respect, and sacrifice from their families, have given and continue to give a great deal of their time to their towns.
These blogs are quite honestly not solving anything anymore. People are too busy calling each other buffoons, morons, idiots. Some are too busy trying to belittle anything anybody else is trying to offer. This is likely why a lot of people don’t post. Why? Because they do not want to be belittled. Give it a rest already.
Now, to offer some interesting news, Mr. Felkner is on the HTC’s agenda for tomorrow night regarding school vouchers. If you have any questions for him, post them here for us all to read, and email them to him. If you support or reject the idea of a voucher program, then offer your opinions and support your claims. If this is to proceed or not, perhaps, this can be the venue to generate ideas and solutions so we can continue to move forward.
Comment by Lois Buck — June 15, 2008 @ 2:19 pm |
I agree with most of Mrs. Buck’s observations on politicians attending events. Most of the children don’t notice and don’t care. For those, like CharihoParent’s child, who do notice and do care, I suggest the parent read Mrs. Buck’s post to the child so instead of whining that politicians weren’t in attendance they instead appreciate all the time dedicated to the community. Missing a boring graduation ceremony isn’t the end of the world.
I don’t agree with Mrs. Buck on the value of this forum being diminished by name calling. We should take it with a grain of salt. Some people say or vote as if they are brainless and calling a spade a spade isn’t always a bad thing. I’m not big on sugarcoating. Name calling means passion and passion is needed in these days of so much apathy.
As for Mr. Felkner presenting on school choice (vouchers being one method), most of what I know about it I’ve learned here from his links and posts. I trust he’ll do an excellent job presenting information. I suspect most of the politicians will resist choice because it shifts power from the government to the parents. Even politicians who are well-meaning tend to have an inflated view of their worth. Most politicians, whether they admit it or not, think they should be the ones deciding what children need educationally, not parents. Unfortunate, but true.
Good luck Mr. Felkner. You’ll need it.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 15, 2008 @ 4:55 pm |
Who the heck said anything about whinning, it was an observation on my child’s part. I and she understands that not everyone can make it but she thought that each town would have at least some representation from their respective town councils. Despite Mr. Mageau’s temper he does sometimes have a good heart. Folks, you really do need to stop making judgements on others when you only know about them from what you read in the paper. Mr. Mageau, despite his contentions with Harriet Allan and Kate Waterman, has sometimes shown genuine concern about them. For instance, he was concerned about Kate Waterman during the recent heat wave, he asked someone that I know if she had any air conditioning in her house. He was ready to go get her and bring her someplace that did have air conditioning. I’ve spoken with the town moderator here in Richmond who knows Mr. Mageau personally, he has also commented on how Jim Mageau, despite his temper, can be a good guy and has a concern for others. So stop your assumptions about people that you don’t know.
Lois, I doubt my daughter could name all the councilors here in Richmond, she certainly knows who Jim Mageau is though. I also doubt that she could name very many of the school committee members but she is aware enough to know that not all of them were present. That being said, and even though I’m repeating myself, it as an observation on her part that the other town councils were not represented. Out of 4 or 5 councilors currently on each town council, not a single councilor from either of the other two towns could make it? I find that a bit difficult to believe. People go around saying “it’s about the kids”, well then, if it’s really about the kids, show them it’s about them.
I’m not trying to make this political despite what some want to accuse me of being. In regards to what What? said, Andy Polowski was there. Bill Day was also there but give him credit for at least realizing that the kids didn’t want to hear from him and spoke for all of a minute.
What?, I see you’re another buffoon on this board who just want to stir the pot, you speak without knowing much about someone. If Bill Felkner had been there, I wouldn’t have mentioned his name and been quite pleased that he had been there, after all, he’s one of those who implies “it’s about the kids”.
CR, here’s a chance to express how you feel but won’t attend the council meeting to put your foot where your mouth is. If I felt as strongly as you did, I would be there to show support on this issue when it comes up before your town council. If you don’t show up, you should shut your mouth on this board then. You won’t do what’s need to be done, if the town council doesn’t see a true show of support from the taxpayers, why should they go along with it?
Comment by CharihoParent — June 15, 2008 @ 5:45 pm |
You have no idea what I attend and don’t attend CharihoParent.
As for attending graduation, the only ones who really notice are a few adults. It’s not for the children if the children don’t know and don’t care.
Too many people use the “for the children” cliche to advance their own causes. CharihoParent is one of those types. If you care about children then fight to reduce taxes so the people who care most about children, their parents, can choose where their money is best spent to give children what they need.
Giving money to a wasteful and irresponsible school system is not “for the children”. Attending a graduation ceremony where the children don’t notice and don’t care is also not “for the children”. Mr. Felkner’s efforts to give parent educational choices would benefit far more children than sitting listening to a few select windbags for a couple of hours on a Friday evening. Supporting and advocating for school choice is really “for the children”.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 15, 2008 @ 6:29 pm |
Thank you Mrs. Buck. your statement is so very true. I appreciate all the town councilors and school committee memebers do. As for Bill Felkner, I do have to side with him on this. The guy has his own life he has to live to; and yes all of this takes a lot of time from your families. I would not put anyone down for missing this. What I would say, if it seems to become a habit, of missing meetings than people should question. Lets not point a finger at Bill because he missed this, as stated most graduates and parents just want it to be over and move on to the private ceremonies.
More to be done than worry aobut this. Lets figure out how to fix the bonnd isssue.
Comment by bob petit — June 15, 2008 @ 8:00 pm |
OH and by the way I hope CR if you do in indeed have a child in the Chariho School system that you at the very least attend his/her graduation.
Comment by bob petit — June 15, 2008 @ 8:06 pm |
I will be one of the few people my child will be looking for at graduation. If my attendance is desired by any other child I’d likely attend their graduation too.
No insult, but my child won’t care if you’re there Mr. Petit. My child will be looking for family and friends. Local polticians should feel free to stay home. If you do attend, feel free to not give any speeches. The day should be for the children, but too many adults have their own ideas.
Fixing the bond issue is easy. School choice is the best way, but I’d settle for tax equity which would result in greater taxpayer demand for responsible contracts and spending.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 15, 2008 @ 8:23 pm |
To comment or not to comment, that is the question:
I’m not able to attend the council meetings. Does that mean I should not speak about issues regarding the council and their decisions on this blog or anywhere?
I’m not able to attend the school committee meetings. Does that mean I should not speak about issues regarding the committee and their decisions on this blog or anywhere?
I think most people do the best that they can, those in polital positions and those that are not. Whether they attend or not is not the deciding factor on whether someone should speak for or against an issue or not. And it is certainly not indicative of whether they are for or against the kids. As long as they are trying to make a positive impact on their community, they are “for the kids.”
Often, I don’t speak on issues. It is not that I don’t care. I read people’s arguments to educate myself and to eventually come to some conclusion. I truly do not want to put the proverbial foot in my mouth after making a very large faux pas.
My opinion is that a person should not speak regarding issues if they have not somewhat educated themselves about the topic in question. That doesn’t mean they can’t ask questions.
Great Expectations:
I think a lot of people put trust in their representatives to make the right choices because they are unable to attend.
I understand that you and your daughter may be upset about many of these representatives not showing up. It is a shame that you base their dedication to their towns and their communities on this. I apologize if I’m wrong on that observation. It is an observation and I probably have erred. Foot inserted in mouth here!
Being a spouse of a town representative has been a challenge. He attends a lot of meetings. He volunteers for his local grange and for Pomona grange. He has a full-time job. Yada Yada Yada. I will not bore you further with his resume. I backed him on his decision to run for council because I believed that he is strong enough and smart enough to make the right decisions for his town and community. That means that he is often at meetings instead of home. My point from a spouses perspective is that there are so many things going on within the town and Chariho, that it is impossible for these representatives to attend every function and still have a positive family relationship. All one can do is do the best that they can. Unfortunately, you cannot please everyone.
Sticks and Stones:
Curious, I have always enjoyed reading your comments. We’ve not always agreed, but I’ve noticed you do research your topic. I’ve seen a lot of people recently doing that, and it is great. However, I do not believe there is anything to be gained by calling people names. It’s okay to think it, and it may make you feel better, but I haven’t seen evidence of anything positive coming from it here. That’s just my observation.
If people think that progress can be gained by name calling, then by all means keep doing it. I respectfully disagree with that conclusion, though.
I would like to see more people commenting in this blog. I believe that it has helped promote change, hopefully all positive, but I’m sure that is a matter of opinion. It does provide an avenue for people to communicate and be educated about advancements in education within the country and our own district and to help identify problems to work out solutions, especially when people can’t attend meetings.
I think I’m done. Thank you all for listening to my long editorial. I hope all the fathers had a wonderful Father’s Day. Have a nice evening.
Comment by Lois Buck — June 15, 2008 @ 8:42 pm |
Tomorrow night – Monday, June 16th, 7:00PM – at the Hopkinton Council meeting Bill Felkner will present information about the value of vouchers and how they can be used to promote educational choices for parents and students in this town. Parochial, charter, alternative, private and public schools are involved as options.
It would be great if those of you interested in more information or with strong views would be present as well and bring these comments to us. It is a good time to learn about vouchers and how they may be applied to other school options or be able to be used by Hopkinton students. I am very interested in his proposal and I am sure many other parents are as well. Please attend even if only to listen.
Comment by BarbaraC — June 15, 2008 @ 8:52 pm |
With the current status of our school system, and the fiscal problems facing our state, all this thread seems concerned with is who attended a high school graduation…..pathetic.
Comment by RS — June 15, 2008 @ 9:30 pm |
Lois I totaly agree with you. I thank not only you and Tom, but your childern also. These issues are very time consuming more than most think. I just want to take a moment and thank all of the town councilors and school committee members for their dedication. It is not an easy task, but we have stepped up to try to make a difference. Call me what you will, I will take the heat.
I look forward to hearing Mr. Felkners comments. I can’t say I agree with the voucher system but I am willing to listen. I have seen a lot of pros and cons; so I have to say I am very interested.
Comment by bob petit — June 15, 2008 @ 9:39 pm |
Rhode Island has a moratorium on charter schools right now. But that may change and open up the marketplace for more school options for students and parents. I don’t know if Bill will be bringing up this facet as well. Certainly it seems the charter schools have done very good work overall.
Comment by BarbaraC — June 15, 2008 @ 10:06 pm |
Petit mentions the negatives with vouchers. I’d like to see the research he has seen? I wonder if there is any negative research conducted by an organization which does not have a interest in the public government monopoly.
We know that public education is failing kids throughout RI. Never in the history of this country have so many done so poorly. Does anyone have even tainted research where school vouchers have failed the large segments of kids who fail in public schools?
I hear rumbling that parents choosing schools hurt special ed kids but how great are special ed kids doing in public schools?
Are parents happy because their neighbors spend $50,000 or more for their kids and even though the results are nothing great at least spending a fortune proves they’re trying?
Is this enough for parents?
Is spending money what matters?
Comment by Real Question — June 16, 2008 @ 12:37 am |
Spending money period is all that matters to many local leaders. Spend it wisely or spend it foolishly…doesn’t matter…just spend it. Then you get to pretend you’re “for the kids” because you support giving other people’s money to a school. It doesn’t matter if the money goes in the pockets of adult school employees…it’s for the kids.
Charter schools are great as one choice for parents. They are not enough because the government still exerts too much control and parents need schools available which have minimal government mandates.
Guess we’ll have to disagree on the issue of name-calling Mrs. Buck. A blog is fluid and new readers come and go. Without the benefit of past postings, new readers may be fooled into thinking smeone like CharihoParent is an informed person. Name-calling cuts through the clutter. It is shocking and makes a person more likely to explore what has led up to the name-calling. Hey, I’ve been called names myself…doesn’t bother me so why should it bother anyone else. I let my words speak for themselves. I
Comment by Curious Resident — June 16, 2008 @ 7:25 am |
Real Question that is a great statement coming from someone with nothing but negative things to say about education as a whole. Let alone Chariho. I am not against people choosing, but I will say this. Choose this school or choose that school, if paretns are not involved in the education of their children and help them along the way than you can put your child in a different school every year and it is not going to matter. Sooner or later you will have to stop blaming the school, school committee, adminstration and teachers and start to look in the mirror. When I say you, I don’t mean you inparticular, it is general. So while I think it might do some well as Bill said create competition; some where along the line students and parents have to take some responsiblity for their childs education.
School choice might do this. I am not a firm believer that because something works in one place it automatically works in another. I am very interested in learning more and if I throw out these questions, maybe someone could answer them.
Comment by bpetit — June 17, 2008 @ 3:09 pm |
Real Question I did find some information to chew on. There is information lots of it against the voucher system. All you have to do is look. I am trying to go at this with an open mind. I mean this is just talk right now if you think I am negative wait it will get better. NEA, McWalters, parents you haven’t seen anything yet.
Private schools are allowed to discriminate on a variety of grounds. These institutions regularly reject applicants because of low achievement, discipline problems, and sometimes for no reason at all.
A $2,500 voucher supplement may make the difference for some families, giving them just enough to cover the tuition at a private school (with some schools charging over $10,000 per year, they would still have to pay several thousand dollars). But voucher programs offer nothing of value to families who cannot come up with the rest of the money to cover tuition costs.
With the help of taxpayers’ dollars, private schools would be filled with well-to-do and middle-class students and a handful of the best, most motivated students from inner cities. Some public schools would be left with fewer dollars to teach the poorest of the poor and other students who, for one reason or another, were not private school material. Such a scenario can hardly benefit public education.
Comment by bpetit — June 17, 2008 @ 3:26 pm |
I would not support a voucher system that did not offer a school alternative for every kid. There are always more expensive schools so vouchers could never cover every school but there should be schools out there which parents can turn to regardless of income. Right now you can get into private elementaries for less than 5000. High schools can be found for less than 10,000. Vouchers could not leave any families behind. I think this is possible because private schools are still much cheaper than Chariho. Also we would problaby have other schools start up if there is incentive. Maybe as Bill F. said the 1904 building can be turned back into a school rather than an empty building. I’ve seen negative reports about vouchers but if you look behind the curtain they are usually produced by people in the educational establishment trying to scare regular people away from school choice. When does competition EVER result in inferior product and service? Answer – NEVER.
Comment by Truth or Consequences — June 17, 2008 @ 6:38 pm |
It is clear to me that if you create an influx of families newly interested in private education (because they are now willing to pay for it through their voucher) supply and demand suggests that private school costs will go up. I don’t see how it can do otherwise.
Comment by david — June 17, 2008 @ 7:56 pm |
You forget the supply side of the equation. The 1904 building is available and if Bill F. and/or the TC can get a private or charter school to take over the building then this will add hundreds of spaces for the supply side. We might see prices come down. Think VCR.
Comment by Truth or Consequences — June 17, 2008 @ 10:35 pm |
You might be right.
I would note that a charter or private school might not receive the same laxness from codes (building, fire) as the public schools do, which given the building under discussion might be a big complication.
Comment by david — June 18, 2008 @ 6:01 am |
David and TorC,
You are both correct. I don’t believe vouchers are going to be used for all students anyway – most will still stay at Chariho. But competition may work the wonders we could not as we all complained about the abysmal math scores in particular. No one cared or attempted to fix the problem until the NEACAP scores were so awful – granted awful for everyone.
I am sure that the charter/private/etc schools will have the same fire/building codes adhered to because children are involved. The 1904 building cost to fix thoroughly was $1,200,000 by Kaestle-Boos study several years ago. The building is still structurally sound and we could never build that much space again for $1,200,000 or $1,800,000.
My basic problem with vouchers is that the public schools lose some of the best parents that go with those children. Parent/Teacher groups are supposed to make a difference in the schools – and in the past this has occured. When they must work through the administration nothing is accomplished but studies, adding Deans of Students, police, more administration, more pensions/health/insurances….etc and good, thoughtful, helpful and fussy parents leave the school system. That’s when we really lose.
Comment by BarbaraC — June 18, 2008 @ 8:17 am |
I guess good parents could leave but my hope would be for Chariho to improve so less leave. Probably a lot of the good parents have already left. It’s not as if Chaiho is wowing us now with their performance. Should all the kids sink together or should we provide lifeboats to those kids fortunate enough to have parents who recognize what is being done? You list all these unnecessary employees. Think about where the money could actually be spent on the kids. Barbara C. is right on when she talks about numerous positions added to Chariho spending through the years. Visit a private school and see how many administrators they have or how many police are sitting in there schools. Chariho needs competition. Bad parents won’t become good parents no matter what we do but we can change Chariho. Vouchers are the first step in the right direction. I wish I had a couple of million and I’d fix up the 1904 building myself!
Comment by Truth or Consequences — June 18, 2008 @ 8:40 am |
Mixed results in San Diego, CA. from the Public Policy Institue of California
Click to access RB_806JBRB.pdf
If higher test scores do not seem to result from choice
programs, why are they so popular in San Diego? The
authors propose two theories. One is that parents may not
be making high academic achievement—at least as it is
reflected by high test scores—the sole criterion for a “good”
school they want their children to attend. Other ingredients
for a good school in parents’ minds may include factors
such as better physical safety and a generally higher socioeconomic
level. Alternatively, parents may simply overestimate
the benefits of attending a different school on their
children’s achievement.
Comment by CharihoParent — June 18, 2008 @ 7:03 pm |
From the same article:
One of the most important policy implications from
the test score results may pertain to the federal NCLB
law, which requires that students at schools judged to be
failing be provided district-funded busing to another
school. The results from San Diego raise doubts about the
ability of choice programs alone to increase the achievement
of participants.
Comment by CharihoParent — June 18, 2008 @ 7:05 pm |
From another conservative Think Tank, it’s titled “Conservative think tank finds school choice does not improve schools”
http://neighborhoodschoolsalliance.org/node/465
But more surprising than the conclusion is the organization issuing the study: the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, a conservative think tank that has supported school choice for almost two decades, when Milwaukee became the nation’s premier center for trying the idea. The institute is funded in large part by the Milwaukee-based Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, an advocate of school choice.
“The report you are reading did not yield the results we had hoped to find,” George Lightbourn, a senior fellow at the institute, wrote in the paper’s first sentence.
“We had expected to find a wellspring of hope that increased parental involvement in the Milwaukee Public Schools would be the key ingredient in improving student performance,” Lightbourn wrote. But “there are realistic limits on the degree to which parental involvement can drive market-based reform in Milwaukee.”
Even some of the most ardent supporters of school choice in Milwaukee have seen that the purest version of the idea – in which there is little government oversight of schools, and parental decisions in a free market dictate which schools thrive – does not square with the reality of what happened in Milwaukee when something close to such a system existed.
That reality can be summed up in two phrases: “bad schools” and “little change.” “
Comment by CharihoParent — June 18, 2008 @ 7:08 pm |
One more:
http://www.greatlakescenter.org/docs/Research/2008charter/press_release.htm
Comment by CharihoParent — June 18, 2008 @ 7:30 pm |
Hello CharihoParent,
I would agree that the hope for better schools and higher scores may not pan out, but that hope and attempt for ‘better’ student performance by parents may be fine. Most people like to have some control over their environment and when they feel disinfranchised by the organization they are happiest to leave and try another ballgame. Not to mention it might work.
The reality sited – ‘bad schools’ and ‘little change’ – is effectively a neutral. Which would mean with or without vouchers, schools cannot or will not improve, and change is still impossible in the system we have been given.
All of this is extremely frustrating especially as the number of employees keeps growing and the pensions get fatter as the number of students served goes down. It’s nuts.
Comment by BarbaraC — June 18, 2008 @ 9:21 pm |
Based on the research cited, the worse that can be said of school choice thus far is that it is a neutral proposition. I won’t even bother looking into the agenda of the research linked by CharihoParent because none of the organizations seem to conclude that school choice is worse than forcing children into government schools.
So we are left with research that concludes choice is positive and research suggesting choice is neutral. If Hopkinton goes with choice we can feel confident that it won’t hurt the children and could very well help them.
Choice will also give Hopkinton a bit of town control over educational costs. Instead of being completely beholden to Charlstown and Richmonds spending tolerance, we will lessen our burden by taking control of what we will spend for vouchers.
Not measured by any of the research is the benefits to children when vouchers result in lower taxes for families. I’m sure my child will benefit when our family keeps more of the money we earn. I’m sure this is true for most families. Education is important, but it is not the complete picture.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 18, 2008 @ 9:33 pm |
Starting a school choice program in Rhode Island will definitely be an “experiment” with all the benefits and risks attendant. The teacher’s unions will characterize the word “experiment” as “taking risks with chlidren” and try to scare the public to death, but I think it’s a great idea that I’d like to see developed more fully.
Right now one issue may be the lack of schools with which to choose, as the Catholic school are full and South County does not have many independent private schools of any significant size, especially for grades 5-12.
Likewise, until the charter school moratorium is allowed to expire, the few charter schools remain full — one exciting development is a charter high school in planning at Alton Jones, that might open as early as September 2009.
Comment by david — June 18, 2008 @ 10:03 pm |
It’s true. There isn’t much to choose from – perhaps we would be encouraging the free market to fulfill its American potential by adding vouchers to a parents gun belt.
The Alton Jones charter school is very interesting and close by – I didn’t know we could anticipate this development. Bill said the sunset clause on charter schools is the end of June.
Comment by BarbaraC — June 18, 2008 @ 10:12 pm |
Chariho Parent…..You tend to only publish the negative aspect of the article you linked.
A direct quote from the article:
Methodology of the study
“The new report focuses on parental choice within MPS, including parents who select schools within MPS or who use the state’s open enrollment law to send their children to public schools in the suburbs. It does not discuss parents who select private schools in the publicly funded voucher program or charter schools that are not affiliated with MPS.”
It appears the article is very limited in scope and did not include any survey of parent’s enrolling their kids in private school. It simply confirms the sad state of the public school system and that vouchers had little effect on improving the public schools. One can only wonder how the students who use vouchers in the private schools have performed. I would imagine the results would have been quite different.
I cannot put much weight on such a limited study only involving the public school performance and not including the “whole picture” including all schools/students using vouchers.
Sorry, I have to call this one a strike.
Comment by RS — June 18, 2008 @ 10:21 pm |
http://thegreeneschool.org/index.html
Comment by david — June 18, 2008 @ 10:25 pm |
CP…..Once again, I researched the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice.
This is the first line off the “About Us” link on their web page:
Center members include: National Education Association and the State Education Affiliate Associations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. These state affiliates represent nearly 600,000 members.
Of course the NEA is not going to speak highly of vouchers or any school reform.PERIOD.
Sorry…….strike 2….want to take another swing at it?
Comment by RS — June 18, 2008 @ 10:29 pm |
I’m not surprised the research is tainted, yet even with biased sources they have little negative to say about choice other than it isn’t better (but isn’t worse).
Keep in mind that as children with motivated parents leave the government schools, if the remaining students maintain test scores than it is likely this is actually a positve thing as we might expect test scores to decline. You could conclude that the government schools did improve as children were vouchered out.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 18, 2008 @ 10:53 pm |
CP….The post you made about the San Diego, CA study from the Public Policy Institute of California left out this very important sentence…
“The report does not examine voucher programs,
which are still in formative stages in only a few locations
outside California.”
It appears after reading the synopsis of the report(since the link wasn’t the full report), the study you are trying to quote is an apples to oranges comparison. The study doesn’t appear to examine vouchers, only different school choice options in San Diego. The programs discussed in Hopkinton are in now way similar to the programs in the SD study.
I have to wonder if you are confused about what is being proposed in Hopkinton.
Sorry……….strike 3.
Do you read the data of the links you post?
Comment by RS — June 19, 2008 @ 12:45 am |
Ah I see, you want school choice along with vouchers… I didn’t realize that school choice with or without vouchers made a difference to you. Is not school choice part of the voucher idea?
I watched Capital TV last night, was paying particular interest to the Mayoral Academy debate that raged on and on. One Rep get saying that charter schools are an experimental lab for education. Do we really want to experiment with our children? Test out theories for educating our children? He also said that what they learn works in charter schools come back to the mainstream public schools. I’d like to know what has come out of charter schools and in the the mainstream public schools.
Comment by CharihoParent — June 19, 2008 @ 8:21 am |
RS, you seem to only publish the positive aspects of school choice and voucher programs. What I as trying to point out is that there are arguments both ways. You can’t say that either side is neutral in their assessments of school choice/voucher programs. I tend to agree with David in that the idea has to be more fully developed but it also has to be more fully investigated, too. If our mainstream schools (for lack of a better term for them) were allowed to go back to the basics that we would be a lot better off anyway. Stop monkeying around with our kids, their education and get back to the basics. As I remember hearing from one gentlemen at a District Financial Meeting a few years back, “what’s wrong with teaching the kids reading, writing, ‘rithmetic?”
Comment by CharihoParent — June 19, 2008 @ 8:30 am |
I didn’t publish anything, only read your links……….DID YOU(read them)?
I only commented on what you were posting as problems with vouchers. I took only a quick read to see misquoted information. I never made any staements about the nuetrality of either side of the debate, only probed the sources of information. If you choose to back the NEA, then you can do so. I just wanted people reading this thread to get more information on the links you posted. I offerd only information I read from the report, nothing more nothing less.
Comment by RS — June 19, 2008 @ 9:47 pm |
CP, which Rep spoke of charter schools as an experiment? Do they take contributions from the NEA, etc, and was it only 1 who spoke against? Just interested in the background of the Rep and if they have documentation and experience to back up their statements, or are they reading a byline from those against any change in the government mandated shcool monopoly.
Comment by RS — June 19, 2008 @ 9:51 pm |
The particular Rep was actually in favor of Charter Schools who said that they were an “experimental lab”. I believe it was Rep. John A. Savage.
RS, pay attention will you please? I’m totally against the NEA, I HATE unions! I believe I’ve made my position clear about the problems I feel that unions create. They don’t foster a positive work environment, they stiffle upper management. They don’t promote good work ethics. They live in a dream world that pay raises should be given automatically, regardless of performance.
Comment by CharihoParent — June 20, 2008 @ 7:26 am |
The only reference I can find to the State House debate was in the ProJo, and the speakers against charter schools mentioned in the article were reps of the NEA….enough said on that. The NEA on capitol hill is not representing any interest of any student anywhere whatsoever.
I didn’t ask your feeling on the NEA or unions, and don’t care…I only posted in response to your summary on the links you posted. If you just posted the links and said here is some info to ponder, and there were links both pro and con about vouchers, then I probably wouldn’t have responded at all. When you post only links viewing one side of the story and then summarize with your interpretation, then a response is warranted. Especially in light of the fact that not one of the articles correctly reflects what Hopkinton is studying in reference to vouchers.
Comment by RS — June 20, 2008 @ 10:34 am |
RS, are you getting forgetful already? Go back and read your post #72. Here is what you said to me, ” If you choose to back the NEA, then you can do so.”
You most certainly did mention supporting the NEA. Also, people said they couldn’t find information in regards to the opposing side, I have links going for and against as I’ve been researching the issue for my own benefit and there surely seems to a whole gaggle of people on this blog that have looked into the pro side but not the con side of this issue.
Comment by CharihoParent — June 20, 2008 @ 11:15 am |
I’m still waiting to see a “con side”. Does CharihoParent ever make sense?
I’ve seen positive research and neutral research. I’ve seen no data indicating children are harmed when their parents are allowed to choose schools.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 20, 2008 @ 12:18 pm |
OK CharihoParent, you got me I guess using a document authored by the NEA as proof of problems with vouchers(and I mind you the article wasn’t even about vouchers, only school choices-not the financing of the choice)isn’t backing them as I worded it. But using documents they produce to further a debate seems accepting to me…If you don’t accept the group as legitimate to perform the study, then how can the study be legitimate in your eyes.
Now the real question: If you do not legitimize the study you quoted, then why use it?
If you do legitimize the study, but not the group doing the study, then go fly your fantasy kite somewhere else, I haven’t the time to debate the town jester.
Comment by RS — June 20, 2008 @ 3:47 pm |
If you’re waiting for CharihoParent to make sense or to remain consistent, good luck with that. He reminds me of Mr. Petit and the rest of the Chariho apologists. I guess when you defend the indefensible you need to be able to overlook logic?
Emotion rules the day and no amount of facts will ever make them see the truth. The best we can hope for is there are enough people who think logically to offset the fools who disregard logic and go with emotion. If it feels right then it must be right…even when it is 100% wrong.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 20, 2008 @ 4:53 pm |
Agreed. The problem I see is if they were to have some usefull information, it will not get its due process, because I am quickly learning every post by CP is not constructive but targeted for negative debate. I doubt I will click on anymore links to try and learn information, because it is mostly propoganda and not useful info. I dont think they read/understand the reports anyway…at least by the summary they posted, this is either the case or they are like the old wah…wah…wah person.
Comment by RS — June 20, 2008 @ 6:36 pm |
I see Petit and CP taking the position that they will defend Chariho’s management and anything perceived to be a threat to Chariho’s management is bad. Doesn’t matter if it is actually bad they will make something up or find like minded people and cite them as “experts”. A million questions about vouchers and nothing about RYSE or any of the many questionable things at Chariho.
They will also support about anything Chariho does like taking away options from parents and forcing them into RYSE. Doesn’t matter if we know how much is costs or if we even know if it works for all the kids. As long as Ricci said it should be done then they’ll bend over backwards to find excuses. Same with poor academics like constructivist math and terrible test scores. It’s never the management at Chariho.
With these people it’s always about money or buildings. It’s never about how badly Chariho is managed. It’s never about piss poor decisions made by the school board. Forget logic or facts. They don’t want to hear it or see it. They only want to “feel” it. That’s why Chariho has turned into a social service organization. It feels so good and it’s free! Idiots.
Comment by Real Question — June 20, 2008 @ 9:43 pm |
Dear Buffoon Brigide members, I find it rather ridiculous that you say I support Chariho management. How many time do I have to say that there are problems but the problems are not exclusive to the manangement/administration. The problems being up at the state house and run, not trickle, all the way down to the teachers. I haven’t taken a stand one way or another on school choice or vouchers at this point in time. I’m reading up on both sides of the debate. I do believe I said that in a previous post, if you prefer not to remember that, that is NOT my problem, it’s yours! Some asked if there was anything available from the opposite side of the issue so I posted some links that I have. If you can’t comprehend that then you have a severe problem retaining anything in your collective memories. Which really doesn’t surprise me in the least.
Comment by CharihoParent — June 21, 2008 @ 8:54 pm |
RQ, when are you going to stop the lies about everyone that doesn’t kiss your butt and agree with you? Twist and turn everything someone says when they don’t agree with you. You don’t debate, you critcize. Yes, I know I’m critizing right now but you really leave me and others no other choice. What a loser you show yourself to be!
Comment by CharihoParent — June 21, 2008 @ 8:58 pm |
CharihoParent supports putting more money into a school even he admits has problems. Rather than insisting the problems be solved before pouring millions more into a educational cesspool, he attacks those who want to take a responsible approach.
CharihoParent is a good representative of Richmond. He doesn’t care how much money is wasted or misspent. Similarly, Richmond lacks the discipline to require results before rewarding Chariho with more taxpayer money. I’m not sure why the majority in Richmond don’t truly believe in accountability (they may say the words, but when push comes to shove they do nothing). It is obvious they will allow anything at Chariho. Maybe RYSE isn’t such a bad idea if we can get all those psychiatrists to analyze the Richmond voters? There’s a screw loose somewhere amongst them.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 21, 2008 @ 10:19 pm |
CR, it’s not a matter of punishment and reward mentality as you so ricicoulsy want to make it. In my opinion, it’s a matter of providing a decent educational environment for the students. In fact, I’ve heard more in regards to fiscal restraint coming from Richmond with better results then what has come out from Hopkinton. It was Richmond who brought up that the budget coudln’t force any of the towns to exceed the tax cap. Where was your TC on this before Richmond brought it up? Is it my fault that you can’t get it to pass by that thick skull of yours and into that gnat sized brain of yours that it’s actually more financially prudent and responsible to have the bond then pay for ever higher budgets to cover costs of labor and materials going up year after year? What you want to do is actually the worse alternative in long run. You’re only hurting all the taxpayers in ALL 3 towns!
Comment by CharihoParent — June 22, 2008 @ 8:49 am |
Chariho has taken more than enough money from local families to maintain the infrastructure. They’ve chosen not to do it because giving the money to employees was their choice instead. When a person or an entity has a history of making poor spending decisions, you do not then give the person or entity more money to spend. Any fool knows this although it eludes CharihoParent and much of Richmond.
The responsible approach is to ensure change. In the case of Chariho, change would either need to come in the form of a purge of the irresponsible administration or it would require the re-establishment of fiscal integrity…a process which should take years.
CharihoParent and Richmond leadership would have us reward Chariho with the virtual assurance that nothing will change. Chariho has been allowed to scam taxpayers for years. We need to look no further than the 2005 budget. Chariho and its apologists lied. They did not make a $2,800,000 mathematical error, they blatantly lied. These are the same people Richmond wants us to now give millions? We will only do this if we’ve lost our minds.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 22, 2008 @ 11:13 am |
CharihoParent,
It was your turn to fight for fiscal restraint and Hopkinton’s school committee members supported your point of view – because it could be us as well you. You have consistently been against the unions, leery of the administration, and very concerned about the state mandates. I respect you for this and thank you as well.
I realize you disagree about the funding issues until we can find a compromise to move all three towns forward, but the bond has numerous parts that don’t fit together. We are buying a pig in a poke. 17 million is not enough to fix 30 years of neglect (with higher salaries, pensions, health care added in place of maintenance) at the high school; 4 million for 26 students (with ALP as well) who can fit in a reconfigured private wing at the middle school and additional classrooms at 2 million for children we want back in our own elementary schools is ridiculous. The track is out – it is maintenance – use the surplus. All 25 million would make a sizeable dent in the high school problems especially if you actually hired a creative and frugal architect to draw up and then bid real blueprints.
Comment by BarbaraC — June 22, 2008 @ 8:58 pm |
Mrs. Capalbo is scaring me again.
How about giving school choice a try for a few years before agreeing to spend $25,000,000 for a school system which can’t even teach the majority of children to a proficient level?
Tell you what…support vouchers on a 5 year trial basis. At the end of this time if you don’t think it has been a success for every single Chariho student, then I’ll agree to support any amount of spending you tell me. For Pete’s sake, give it a try before you run around telling people we should be spending more money at Chariho.
If nothing else, move to Charlestown with the people who can afford to add millions more to the spending side of their ledger and convince them to start their own school system. Unless a bunch of us in Hopkinton strike oil in our backyards, we cannot afford $5,000,000 at Chariho, never mind $25,000,000.
Comment by Curious Resident — June 22, 2008 @ 10:23 pm |
I would think everyone by now would realize CharihoParent has contributed zero worthwhile information to any discussion. Ignore is the best medecine ignorance.
Comment by RS — June 23, 2008 @ 5:09 pm |
when are u going to realize that CAPALBO HAS NO IDEA WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT. she talks just to talk….regardless of whether she knows about the topic.
Comment by what? — June 28, 2008 @ 11:03 pm |