BOE Budget Games at the Forum 3/5/09
See Video Below
While editing the video for time, I have to say that my heart went out to the Moms (and Dads) who felt it necessary to plead for the programs that are on the chopping block. If you have read my conversation with ‘Newcomer’ in the last article you will know where I am coming from. I will also mention again that a number of us found it somewhat disingenuous for teachers/aides that are in budget limbo; some of which don’t even live in Woodstock, to be chastising residents for “underfunding”- and passing the Kool-Aid.
Having said that, it is a travesty that most of the parents seem not to realize that Frank Baran and Lindsay Paul are just running the hostage game right in front of them- I have to wonder if they get some sort of thrill from the manipulation while watching it play out.
There were approximately 50 people in attendance not counting administration and BOE members. The Superintendent ran through the presentation that you’ve seen in the previous article and then straight to Comments/Q&A.
With regard to comments by Mr. Shultz, he did happen to misspeak one of the years in question when it comes to the over estimation of the Academy enrollment which has resulted in the unbudgeted ~$500K expansion of the BOE budget over two years that will carry forward forever if it is allowed. Frank Baran jumped on this like an angry trial lawyer in a deposition calling Mr. Shultz’s information “inaccurate”. Well Frank, he might have been off on the year, but otherwise the information was entirely accurate. Mrs. Paul dismissed my follow up regarding the financials and Joe Campbell’s email which doesn’t line up with the Superintendent’s story- Lindsay, I’ve done the financials as I mentioned and they are right here on the site for everyone to see.
Tony Walker was a bright spot in my opinion, asking questions as to why the empire is so large while using these same old scare tactics we have seen over and over. Mrs. Valentine raised the same issue.
I would also like to reiterate from the comments in the previous article, my email to Kirsten Rigney. We are both members of the DTC and she had sent an email to the group asking for input on the questions posed by the BOE. I wasn’t feeling well (you’ll hear it in my voice) and hadn’t decided whether or not I was going to attend, and sent her the following response (copied to the others on the committee as well):
Dear Kirsten,
I am not yet sure if I will make it tonight. With regard to the questions I would like to make the following suggestion- The Board should consider adopting a Zero-based budgeting model in relation to question number 3. By definition, this also addresses question number 2 in that it will force evaluation of programs, which in my opinion is where the Board should be concentrating its efforts. Moreover, adoption of this model would, if done correctly, give greater understanding and transparency to parents and citizens regarding future plans and goals both in terms of finances and serving the children.
If you are not familiar with Zero-based budgeting there is a document attached for your review. This was also recommended to the BOF by the auditors and is a recommendation of Dr. Fusco.
Thank you.
-Craig Powers
Joe ‘Snuffy’ Breen seems to take issue with this; Mr. Breen, shall we again go into your antics and subterfuge when you were on the DTC? Or your apparent continued influence over the BOE leadership? We certainly can if you wish; I’ll wait to hear from you. In the meantime, as everyone can see, there is nothing improper in this communication- so shut up and stop impugning Ms. Rigney.
Now then, to the parents who wish to save the programs they spoke for I say this: Do your homework, get involved and understand the ruse that is being run on you…start by reading the Playbook and let me know how many of the plays you recognize from the event. I have the count and whoever is closest gets a ‘Truth’ coffee mug as pictured on the right column- have fun!
80 Minutes CLICK -HERE- FOR FULL SCREEN (Requires Media Player)
Unedited version -HERE- 120 Minutes (Requires Media Player)
Thanks for posting the video. I was unable to attend the meeting.
I haven't actually had 80 uninterrupted minutes to sit in front of the computer to watch the video yet, so I can't comment on that.
Instead, I just checked out the link you provided to "Educate for a Change". It's really radical but very interesting. There was a discussion at the Cafe not too long ago regarding the concept of the one room schoolhouse. This multi-age teaching method of building sequentially, one skill upon another to attain proficiency is reminiscent of that one room schoolhouse to me.
I'm assuming that you support the ideas in this "educate for a change" program since you supplied the link to it. I'm wondering if you have ever thought of or even tried to go any further with it? I think a model such as this might serve as an interesting basis for a public charter school. I was on the U.S. Dept of Ed. website a few days ago and noticed that there is Federal grant money available to school districts for the drafting/designing and planning of a public charter school. I believe I also saw a grant program for getting such a school up and running, but I'll have to double-check to be 100% certain about that.
This is the kind of out-of-the-box thinking that I find exciting. If you do support a model such as this, have you considered putting your suggestions into some sort of proposal for the BOE to consider?
I read this thoroughly some time ago and found it thought provoking, especially considering the story of how it evolved. You bringing it up made me visit it again. I think these are the things a progressive board should be looking at. Not bashing the BOE/Admin, but we do get an awful lot of lipservice regarding 21st century skills, etc., instead of progressive action. Needless to say, I don't consider where we've been over the last few years to be 'progressive action', but I think they do. I have never claimed to be any sort of educational expert but boy have I learned a lot and one thing is for sure-the status-quo is a powerful force in the arena.
I also found the material in this article interesting as well- http://woodstocktruth.com/2009/01/06/its-time-to-revolutionize.aspx
From a high level, even to begin a conversation around these issues and begin to evalauate what makes sense for a town of our size and decide what it is we want to accomplish, it will take an engaged parent population and BOE/administration of progressive thinkers that are willing to challenge the status-quo for the benefit of the children; at this point we lack those elements. Instead we are mired in muck, much to my contiuned dismay. I do believe however, that if these elements came together, a model that would thrill parents and be supported by taxpayers could be had.
My suggestion of Zero-based stands at the moment- let's see where that goes...
I'll make sure to go check this other link out later on. I don't have too much time at the moment.
I do want to take the time to tell you that I think it would be much easier to get parents involved (and in so doing, motivate and engage the BOE) if the goal was to establish a community committe of teachers, administrators, parents, and the BOE with the goal of developing a pilot program to further the academic experience for our students. I think right now, most people are afraid to put on the gloves and get in the ring to go a few rounds. Most folks would be hesitant to invite that level of negativity into their lives. But when it comes to pursuing positive reforms with attainable goals, I'm willing to bet you'd have no trouble drumming up interest and support of such ideas.
A very interesting piece by David Brooks this morning in the NYT-
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/opinion/13brooks.html