In the “Twilight Zone” of Woodstock
It’s getting pretty surreal around here if you haven’t noticed. Whether it is the silence in response to questions that demand straight answers or the emotional rhetoric when cornered, it is bizarre.
First, let’s recap the events on video. During the BOE budget cutting session on 6/16/08 we learned a lot. Despite a million dollar+ increase last year, we find that our district is officially failing with regard to Special Education and NCLB, we’re having a tough time buying supplies, buses seem to be an issue and at the insistence of Mrs. Paul overruling the recommendations of the Superintendent, parents will now have to pay to have kids play as the legal budget and spending grows. A suggestion that we cut administration was summarily dismissed. Have you ever wondered why we need a full time Superintendent at $120K+ per year in a K-8 system with declining enrollment? Perhaps reward for being a good soldier in the failed crusades? After the hyjinx these folks have pulled in the last few years, their comments in the Villager today truly are surreal.
After outright denial of over estimation of the Academy enrollment at the last BOF meeting and the non-answer from the Superintendent at the BOE meeting, Mr. Corden enlightened us as to where some of the money was spent at the Town Meeting although the explanation falls well short of $469K+. He closed with an emotional speech about our responsibilities to all of the children, I simply can’t think of anything more hypocritical.
Also at the BOE meeting Mr. Loftus felt it necessary to chastise those seeking answers, comparing any potential waste or mismanagement to what goes on in the rest of society, with a droning diatribe that is still chasing a thought.
Next, let’s take a look at our illustrious BOS and BOF. Although they don’t seem to like what Mr. Richardson has to say on any subject, they decided in their wisdom to adopt his suggestion of spreading the revaluation costs when it was revealed that they were using the entire number to artificially inflate the base, then cut the Highway Department dump truck, etc., let’s not forget the $128 dollars in Town Hall postage. But the raises stay.
In a refreshing departure from the “Zone”, Chan Paquette and Brian Musumeci are donating their labor resulting in a $2500 reduction for the Quassett School roof. This is exactly the spirit needed around here and I commend them.
Going back into the “Zone”, let’s take a look at substance and format of the documentation we are provided as compared to our neighbors-
Pomfret Combined Budget (PDF)
Putnam Combined Budget (PDF)
Woodstock BOE Budget (PDF)
Woodstock Town Budget (External Link- Word/Excel)
Ours must be so complicated because we are far more enlightened than our neighbors, yes… that must be it. Couldn’t be anything else could it?
Wake up Woodstock, you are being taken for a ride. As has been said many times- this is not about how much money, it is about transparency, disclosure and how the money is spent as is our right to know.
This next referendum will be a telling point. If this budget is once again rejected it will amount to a vote of NO CONFIDENCE in these officials that continue to believe we are not bright enough to understand. If we stick to our guns we will force the change that is so desperately needed here so that we can exit the “Zone” once and for all.
First, let’s recap the events on video. During the BOE budget cutting session on 6/16/08 we learned a lot. Despite a million dollar+ increase last year, we find that our district is officially failing with regard to Special Education and NCLB, we’re having a tough time buying supplies, buses seem to be an issue and at the insistence of Mrs. Paul overruling the recommendations of the Superintendent, parents will now have to pay to have kids play as the legal budget and spending grows. A suggestion that we cut administration was summarily dismissed. Have you ever wondered why we need a full time Superintendent at $120K+ per year in a K-8 system with declining enrollment? Perhaps reward for being a good soldier in the failed crusades? After the hyjinx these folks have pulled in the last few years, their comments in the Villager today truly are surreal.
After outright denial of over estimation of the Academy enrollment at the last BOF meeting and the non-answer from the Superintendent at the BOE meeting, Mr. Corden enlightened us as to where some of the money was spent at the Town Meeting although the explanation falls well short of $469K+. He closed with an emotional speech about our responsibilities to all of the children, I simply can’t think of anything more hypocritical.
Also at the BOE meeting Mr. Loftus felt it necessary to chastise those seeking answers, comparing any potential waste or mismanagement to what goes on in the rest of society, with a droning diatribe that is still chasing a thought.
Next, let’s take a look at our illustrious BOS and BOF. Although they don’t seem to like what Mr. Richardson has to say on any subject, they decided in their wisdom to adopt his suggestion of spreading the revaluation costs when it was revealed that they were using the entire number to artificially inflate the base, then cut the Highway Department dump truck, etc., let’s not forget the $128 dollars in Town Hall postage. But the raises stay.
In a refreshing departure from the “Zone”, Chan Paquette and Brian Musumeci are donating their labor resulting in a $2500 reduction for the Quassett School roof. This is exactly the spirit needed around here and I commend them.
Going back into the “Zone”, let’s take a look at substance and format of the documentation we are provided as compared to our neighbors-
Pomfret Combined Budget (PDF)
Putnam Combined Budget (PDF)
Woodstock BOE Budget (PDF)
Woodstock Town Budget (External Link- Word/Excel)
Ours must be so complicated because we are far more enlightened than our neighbors, yes… that must be it. Couldn’t be anything else could it?
Wake up Woodstock, you are being taken for a ride. As has been said many times- this is not about how much money, it is about transparency, disclosure and how the money is spent as is our right to know.
This next referendum will be a telling point. If this budget is once again rejected it will amount to a vote of NO CONFIDENCE in these officials that continue to believe we are not bright enough to understand. If we stick to our guns we will force the change that is so desperately needed here so that we can exit the “Zone” once and for all.
Does anybody know just how much we are paying the selectman ? How much will the new 4% raise cost the tax payers?
On the radio there were no answers from Mr. Walker! Guess it's easy to see his mind is on his wallet and not the tax payers. Guess it's a BOE/BOF sport, pull the wool over the sheep's eyes?