Someone forwarded these documents to me a few minutes ago. The email list that they have been circulated to is not surprising- teachers, PTO members and the usual crusaders who believe that money is the answer to all of the ills of the Woodstock Public Schools.

While I admire their fortitude in trying to protect themselves from the givebacks that have been asked for by the BOE and trying to protect their jobs in the face of widespread financial problems, this is not the solution to the problem- even as they perceive it.

As evidenced by the numerous articles posted here, has even one of these people taken the time to look at or understand how the money that is given to the school system is spent on an annual basis? Apparently not.  It appears that they find it an easier road to confront the BOF to demand that the maximum amount of money be bled from town taxpayers in the face of the unconscionable and fraudulent budgets we are presented with every year.

As has been documented here, $13K lawn mowers, phone systems and toys of all kinds are found in the May/June budget dump year after year. Not to mention an unexplained and repeatedly denied unbudgeted $300K+ on technology equipment.  While some of these items may be needed, what effect exactly are they having on the delivery of education to the students? These are the questions these people should be asking- especially considering the recent downturn in 4^th grade achievement that was identified as specific to Woodstock as revealed in recent BOE minutes.

Trying to do right by the children of Woodstock is one thing, but to continue to blindly shill for more and more funds to be derived from a tax base being hit from every angle while the administration goes merrily along spending unquestioned- or better said, refusing to give answers, is not the solution for the children of Woodstock.

Craig R. Powers