An Important Message from Superintendent Ruth Miller concerning the upcoming Phillipston town meeting regarding the budget.
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Added on 5/03/13
This is the message delivered to the residents of Phillipston by the school dept. You decide if the message is sincere and fair, considering in the Gardner News the time is Dec 1 but in the video it is July 1?? I believe the rule is an override must pass both town meeting and ballot and the override failed at the ballot so please do not readjust your budget to try for the increase you were denied already by the voters. The school should do like the towns and cut admin costs first!!! As a selectmen, I would welcome the state to come in and look at both the town budget and the school budget.
Jeff Bennet
What was denied by the voters at the ballot box was an increase in taxes above the levy limit (the definition of an "override"). The voters did not vote on the school budget itself at the ballot box. For example, Phillipston voted no on the override, but last night passed the budget requested by the School Committee (by a large margin). Phillipston voted to pay for this with excess certified free cash. Templeton cannot do the same thing, because we don't have the free cash. Because Templeton is unable to give the School the budget that was certified by the School Committee, the state will access the need for a 1/12th budget while the School Committee and Town come-up with a reduced budget.
ReplyDeleteI think the real reason the school got the extra money in Phillipston, was it came from their free cash. Having money, and spending it easy, as we have learned the hard way. Getting the money to replace it is the tough part. Bev.
DeleteI went to the selectmen's meeting tonight. The reality of where we are financially, is not good. I do not think Ms. Miller understands the reality of us having no money. The threat of having the state come in is real, but what choice do we have. To come up with the money they want, are we supposed to get rid of our whole Police Dept. or Fire Department?? This is a shame, the School Committee has not done their job, in my opinion. They should have worked with the town, to resolve this problem, before it went to Town Meeting Floor. I think the School Committee should have worked with both sides, not just the school. John Columbus, you have not done your job, in my opinion! I have not seen you at one Selectmen"s meeting in years. Do not tell me, or anyone else with a brain that each elementary school needs a principal their pays range from 91,500.00, BES/PMS, 74,000.00 PMS, 10,713.00 TC, now those are just for the younger children. Now we go to the 98,880.00 for the Middle School Principal. Still with me?? Oh no, I almost forgot the Middle School Vice Principal, for the low price of, 75,880.00. In a school you could walk from one end to another, in about 5 min. we now have the High School Principal at 105,199.00, and yes in case he needs help we have the High School Vice Principal at 92,908.00. Do not insult us by saying this budget, is all about the kids, because it is not. To add this all up is nothing shot of mind boggling. It is roughly 176,213.00 for the elementary schools, and roughly 372,867.00 for the middle school and high school. Phillipston is included in these figures. The point I am getting at is, at a time when our town is working to get out of debt, how could anyone in good faith even bring this budget to the town and expect it too pass?? This is over kill to the max. How do the Principal and Vice Principal, of the High School and the Principal and Vice Principal of the Middle School work in a school of the size of NRHS, with out getting in each others way?? Sit down and get real. I am not sure, but the town and the schools may have a better chance to get some kind of a budget passed, but I hardly think this one will. We are in Templeton, Massachusetts. We have a town that has no money! How did any one miss that fact? We will get things under control, but it is not going to be today, or tomorrow. I also do not want any more children, living in a tent, or with out a real home of their own. The ball is in the court of the voters, and the School Committee and administrators. If changes could be made, this would be better for the community, with out a doubt. This is my opinion, Bev. .
DeleteI so agree, Bev. We are Loaded with Fat at the "top". And don't forget the Supt. annual salary of $137,800.00!! I am sure they don't want to cut their salaries to help out like the rest of us have had to do numerous times. I don't mind helping at all but geez, LOOK at these salaries in such a small town. Over the moon & headed toward a Bell, CA scenario, bankruptcy. Okay so do you take more from the average $23,000 families or do you slice into that yummy pie, that they have made for themselves, to balance the budget?? Which makes more sense. We need to help those families, who can't afford new school clothes for their children, from becoming homeless. I am 100% for the kids, but not any more is needed for the Admin. where the funds appear to be going. They have enough already!! And don't give me that, they went to college & deserve more. So did I but right now I am not able to get the good paying high tech job I previously had because the economy is not as it once was. Not in in any shape to cough up more for the few who think they are overly important. They are not acknowledging what is happening with the economy bust at this time because it hasn't affected them yet. I am not a socialist by any stretch of the imagination & believe it is good to better yourself, as I worked so hard to do, yet I have had to make several concessions over the years as companies, govt. programs & other major sources of income have changed, folded or scaled back. Things are not as they once were, even from a few years ago. I'm trying to keep my blogs more brief but this is serious stuff here. Help me, Movin on, with a few words. All my blogs are my thoughts & opinions based on various data & information gathered to date.
DeleteI think it's important to remember that the School Committee determines everyone's salaries in NRSD, so frustration should not be directed at Ms. Miller or the principals.
DeleteThank you for this. My Point, exactly!! No matter who, is setting these salaries, it is also important to note that they do not seem to be seeing the big picture as a whole. Not saying the Admin. are not worth their salaries. Just pointing out that there are not the fruitful sources outside of the school district to fund these salaries like there used to be (at least not at this time)& that is where the funding comes from regardless. Thank you for your response Mr. Greene.
DeleteA question for the superintendent is how much money is in the excess and deficiency account of the district?
ReplyDeleteMy point in writing this piece, is just as much about the number of Principals and Vice Principals, in the elementary schools, and the high and middle schools, as it is about their pays. I just cannot figure, how anyone can cram so many administrators in the Middle School, and High School, along with their Vice principals, and support staff. Why so many? I do not think we have such a large population that they cannot get through a day without teams of people watching their every move! This is not even counting the Elementary schools! It is really all about the money, and no one can say they can't cut some of the fat. This is not about the kids, so don't try to sell us the budget on that note. We are not that dumb. Our town workers have had to deal with short pay and hours for the past year. If anyone deserves a pay increase, it is them. Guess what, we can't do it! Why?? WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY. MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY. Just looking ahead, my husband said it is already projected, that Fuel Assistance will be cut by 25% next year. Last year a large number of residents, called the town office building, looking for help! This question will go to the voters, what will be, will be! My opinion, Bev.
DeleteYes, so true, Bev!! Thanks for lending your voice to so many hurting people! You are an awesome advocate for those who have a hard time speaking out or can't for whatever reason. You have done so much this way as well as hands on, in the fact that you attend so many meetings, too. This town is fortunate to have you working so diligently to keep those in power positions honest & transparent. A special thanks from me!!
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ReplyDeleteTo All and Bev,
ReplyDeleteI notice a lot of, for lack of a better term, monday morning quarter backs on this blog. Accusations --they should do this, that or the other, why is $$ spent on this and that. Why don't any of you approach Ruth Miller and ask those questions directly. I promise you she will address your questions. You may not like the answers, but she will answer your concerns. How do I know this? Because I did just that. I emailed many questions. I got answers. I met with her after the pre-town meeting. I got answers. I invited her to the country store "round table" to meet with a bunch of old deaf guys. Guess what -- she showed up and spent an hour with us. And there was a lively debate over budget issues. So why don't you stop criticizing behind a computer and try going to the source. You might be surprised.
My personal gripe with the district is the amount of money we spend on Special Ed. I feel it has become a cottage industry. She also addressed that and other issues we have no control over. For example, the district has received 5 or 6 severely autistic students and a student with no immune system. These 6 or 7 students together are costing us about ONE MILLION dollars, which we have no control over. For the record, I do not support the current budget request and I welcome the state to come in and audit.
I just get really annoyed at the cat-calls from those who have not even bothered to ask the right people to answer your questions.
Dear Tom J....I respect your blogs & opinions. I am glad to see that you have contacted Ms. Miller to voice your concerns. I am not sure everyone who speaks at the computer is just doing cat-calls. Bev, has done a lot of advocacy with her attending meetings, speaking out & to leaders at great length on a number of matters, not just the school issues. I do not know what others may or may not have done, who speak on Pauly's blog but, I still welcome what they have to say whether they have actually contacted someone in person or not. Opinions near & far are all important to give perspective to how individuals may feel. Some people can't get out for health or financial reasons, such as working hours when those may not be available to see them. Others have a hard time with that in general & there are some who are concerned it might indirectly or adversely affect their child or family as a whole. I have done my share of hands on for this town, in my own way & been thrown under the bus on occasion & given some very tough stuff to deal with as a consequence of speaking out before there was this awareness with Pauly's watchful eye. Those things affected me deeply & I was personally attacked by a certain few (who were in leadership positions at the time) that I do not care to share here, as it impacted my life severely & I am still healing from it. The fact that Pauly gave me a voice again is wonderful in & of itself. Please don't begrudge those who speak out the best they can in their own way. You never know what someone else has been through or what they are dealing with at the time that may prohibit them from doing what you suggest. I understand your concerns & see what you are saying but just giving you some reasons of why that may not be an option for some. Thank you for your blogs. It brings out other matters to discuss along the way. This is what Pauly's Templeton Watch is all about. We all, who speak here, have something to say. Each person choses to deliver it how they feel is best for them. All my thoughts & opinions, as usual. Have a good evening everyone & I appreciate every person for participating in whatever capacity they can!
DeleteIsteach, Many thanks for the support! I really had not given the school budget a lot of thought until this time around. We are between a rock and a hard place, and I do not like the feeling a dam bit. I am the first to say I am not always right, but I say it like it is. If I am wrong, I will be the first to admit it. The big song and dance, has been "It is for the kids!" Well that is great! But why have they listed High School Math,High School Foreign Language, High School Business teacher, First Grade Kindergarten, Elementary Adjustment Counselor, Elementary Physical Education, Grade 7 Math, Grade 8 Math, as proposed cuts, if the budget does not pass? The total $325,005. Now look at what they are paying the Principals and Vice Principals at the Middle School and the High School. Why not get rid of a couple of those people, instead of really hurting the kids, by taking the things they need away. Sorry, it does not make any sense, to me. Oh yes, things get better, as the list of things they are going to cut, if the budget does not pass. Athletic Programs, Music {all of these are programs}, Drama, All Clubs, Honor Society, Middle School Activities, and Band uniforms that are 25 years old. That total comes to $355,622. Sorry guys, I do not think it is alright to keep the fat, and cut where it will hurt the kids the most. It would be a good thing for the kids to do fund raisers to help pay for the uniforms, but that is just my opinion. The only way we are going to get a budget that makes sense, is if the parents get on the back of the School Committee, and demand a budget that makes sense. This budget does not make sense. It protects the Administration, at the expense of the kids. The parents should be very upset. Gansett Greatness, does not come from the people in the front office. It comes from the children who need to know the lessons in life. This is a good teaching moment. Compromise is something every one of our town workers have had to do. Not passing the budget is not out of spite! It is reality, that every person who pays taxes, and lives in this community, has to face. We are, where we are, and only time and good planning, will get us on the right track. It is now that we need younger people to take a interest in the whole town. The rest of us will not live forever. It is as good a time to start, as any. Take my suggestions or leave them, I just think there are more than one way to look at things. Bev.
DeleteYou bet, Bev & thank you for this further info!!
Deleteisteach;
ReplyDeleteWell said and I thank you for your perspective. you are quite correct. I suppose not everyone can be as outspoken out in the open as I.
Tom...Thanks for reviewing what I had to say. I appreciate the fact that you looked at this & understood. Your being vocal here & in person is very important, not only for yourself, but all those who are not as bold & strong as you are in that regard. You have a great gift there. Don't ever let anyone try to force you into giving up that concerned, knowledgable & emboldened voice. Those who launch threats, as what happened toward me, generally have something to hide. With everyone's participation, in person or on Pauly's site, those who "use or abuse" us have less chance of being successful. What I went through had nothing to do with the School dept. It was totally a separate issue. I just believe all depts. need to be more aware of what has "hit" the individual working class families, at this time, when making current fiscal decisions. What I say in my blogs is not an attempt to drag Ms. Miller or her colleagues down. Only asking for more realistic goals right now. Thanks & have a good day!
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