I was over at Phil Lenz's website and looked at a couple of pages he has up on textbooks and technology issues. You can take a look here and here. Pay particular attention to...
...the status column at the right side. The elementary level core reading program cost of $360,000 was supposed to be partially funded by a Reserve Fund transfer of $300,00 in July but the schools were not ready to issue a purchase order to encumber the funds. The money had to be returned to the General Fund as free cash. I think that an article to fund these materials should be brought to the Fall Town Meeting for consideration. The funding source should be the certified free cash available from departmental turn backs. While I would support an article to use the unspent funds this year, I do not, in general, support using this non recurring revenue for recurring expense. What I am saying is, this one time only, don't expect more next year.
What I find interesting about the textbooks and technology information and the reopening of the North Dartmouth library branch is that these items were put forward on override questions which failed or didn't make the ballot. Yet the library and school have managed to fund them anyway. What do you think about that? Comment below.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Interesting developments
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45 comments:
Bill
you raise an excellent question..where did the money come from to open the ND Library? In my opinion..This is another example that shows the mis-trust that leads the public not to beleive elected officials.
Its funny how, all we heard was pass the override ! we really it !
Now this shows the Library didnt NEED it, they just WANTED it. There is a difference. Shame. Again, the taxpayers were lied too !
Uh oh, I smell another smoking gun! Will you people get a life!
Spend your time on something worthwhile.
That being . . . . ??
i thought it was on this blog that i learned the library was opened using grant money, which is usually pretty specific. is that no longer true?
Gee as I remember wasnt the 300,000 brought by the fincomm not by the schools? of course they'd be dumb to say no. in fact wasn't the money for books approved something like 225 to 1 at town meeting.
Money for the equipment needed at the library came from grants (about $10,000). All the remaining costs are borne from the library appropriation.
The vote taken was a sense of the Town Meeting vote and not an appropriation. No funds where appropriated or could be spent based on that vote. The Finance Committee has jurisdiction over the Reserve Fund and can authorize use of those funds by vote of their committee, which they did. As I posted the school department did not use the money, which was an FY08 appropriation, so the funds were returned to the General Fund as a departmental turn back.
my point was they didnt go begging to fincomm for the money.
The library will ask the taxpayers instead, just as they did in April.
Overrides can be one source of their money.
Before some of this stuff once again gets a life of its own, here is my understanding of the school purchases as recently explained at the last school committee meeting and briefly discussed at the combined SC/SB meeting. Like many things, once explained some of the mystery goes away.
FinCom agreed to a reserve fund transfer of $300k specifically to fund the K-5 literacy program (whose cost is estimated to be between $340-$360k - a firm cost will not be known until vendors submit their bids). Bill is correct that the SC/Admin did not properly encumber these funds by FY year end so it has been turned back to the town. The SC/FinCom and I think (thought) all agreed to put a question on the Fall TM agenda specifying that these funds be turned back to the school to purchase this program in FY09. I believe this was stated at the joint SB/SC meeting that Bill attended. ML Clarke went on to explain the rather lengthy process required to purchase this program, which entails much more than simply buying text books. While the FinCom supplied the $300k, the cost will be more. Dr Russell and Manny Cordeiro went thru a listing of year end monies that had not been spent to augment the cost. Much of these monies came from un-expended salary from teachers who left for a variety of reasons and were replaced with less expensive substitutes.
The additional purchases listed on Phil Lenz's blog amount to roughly $58k and represent the highest priority texts that had been identified over the last several months from analysis done by the school admin at the urging of many parnets, most notably Ellen Hamilton whose advocacy for the purchase of these texts is well known. So we are up to some $400k or so of text purchases - $300k of which is still in the hands of a TM vote - the schools have identified the remaining $100k or so as described above and from funds they had already listed in their budget for FY08. (the rumour that the schools carry no money for texts in the budget is one that will not die, but should)
The technology end was also partially funded this year thru savings in personnel costs and dollars that were once again carried in the regular budget for tech purchases. Some purchases were not made until late in the year I assume due to the unknown status of the zone waiver situation of kids from Quuinn to DeMello. The number of students taking advantage of the zone waiver would dictate what equipment was needed. As it turned out mobile labs were needed as the former computer lab had to be converted to a classroom for the incoming population from Quinn.
It should be noted that if one were to compare the 2 lists on Mr Lenz's blog with the list distributed by the school admin prior to last springs override attempt you will notice there remains many more needs that are not met. The highest priorities, thankfully, appear to have been funded, but as was stated at both meetings I attended, there is no guarantee that personell savings will happen next year so they can't be counted on.
It has been stated at numerous SC meetings that the SC has charged the school admin with making text/tech purchases a priority and it would appear they are trying to do that. Without a request for an override I should add. This in my opinion is a good thing and exactly what critics have stated should be done before coming to the taxxpayers for an override.
My primary beef at this point is that none of this had been discussed at any SC meeting or other forum that I am aware of, so those of us that had been asking for a discussion on the pros and cons of a small override were surprised when we heard the administration told the town they did not wish to ask for a question to be placed on the Fall ballot. SO for me it comes back to the need for better communication between ALL stakeholders, parents, taxpayers, elected officials and paid employees.
My parting thought is that what has occurred is a good thing for the students of this system in a period where many not so good things have occurred. However it is not the end of the story as there are many obstacles that need to be addressed before an entire generation of students at the elementary and middle school levels gets sent thru an inadequate system.
Greg Jones
These textbook and technology issues were not mentioned at the joint School Committee-Select Board meeting, nor was the funding sources for any of these purchases.
With these two meetings occurring on 2 consecutive evenings I may have confused what was said at which meeting. Should there be any question as to the accuracy of the content of what I have said, the SC meeting was recorded and broadcast on DCTV. Unfortunately the joint meeting was not recorded to my knowledge. A call to the school admin or to one of the SC members will likely bear out what I've written above. The overall point that I was trying to convey is that there is a logical explanation as to what has been purchased and where the funds originated from. Once all the information is out in open there is some logic to what has been done as far as recent text/technology purchases. It should also be noted (as seen on Phil's blog page) 200 pieces of computer equipment has been donated for use in the HS-a very nice surprise that cost the school and taxpayers nothing. Also worth noting is the school admin did listen to recommendations from Frank Gracie and others to purchase non-mac computers for a large number of their replacement purchases saving a significant amount of money.
Greg Jones
Greg,
You being the "Hitching Post" school numbers expert, I was wondering if you were well informed about the bus contracts. They are changing the way they handle the co-curricular bus contract. Instead of doing a sealed bid process, they will be splitting the bid into several smaller packages, which allows them by law to get only quotes instead of sealed bids. This concerns me. I have asked some questions of Dr. Russell and received prompt, courteous, but vague answers. How exactly does this save money? At the joint SC, SB, FinCom meeting, Manny Cordeiro talked about the town owning some of its own busses. Do you know if this is what they are using for co-curricular bussing? If so, are maintenance workers driving them? If so, are their pay and benefits being factored into the expense for the bussing? They say that they have already saved several hundred dollars. Have you seen any financials regarding this issue? Just trying to get as much info as I can on the matter before I press them for more specifics. This is not my top priority issue but there is a bit of a buzz about it going around.
Barry -
Diane Gilbert called the IG's office on this form of bidding out the contracts and they have no problem in the manner that it is being done. Gilbert was trying to help a vendor keep the contract instead of looking at the specifics and trying to save the town some money. You guys are getting really tiresome. The schools are looking at ways to save some money and you all piss and moan when a friend/vendor/acquaintance loses out. As an FYI, he still can "bid" on each little contract if he wants to. So far, several contracts have been awarded and several hundred dollars have been saved. Multiply this by tens of contracts and you have a significant amount of savings.
Greg, I was not questioning the accuracy of the content that you presented, just saying that it was not presented at the joint meeting I attended.
Why do you assume that the school is trying to save money and not protect and grow their bureaucracy? They don't exist for children or education or any other high minded purpose. They are in it for them.
Greg, you think that your criticism is OK but anyone else is not. Why?
No problem Bill. As far as the after school bus issue, I only know what I heard at the last SC meeting, it was on the agenda and there was limitied discussion by Manny Cordeiro that a switch was made that provided the schools with more flexibility as far as scheduling busses for after school activities. I admit to not focusing too much attention on it so if more was said about the whys and wherefores I missed it.
Greg Jones
Anonymous 6:23, I posted my recollections here regarding an issue Mr Trimble brought up along with my own opinion about where improvements in communication need to be made, nothing more nothing less. From what I read here and elsewhere, criticism is not in short supply but getting into a discussion with an anonymous blogger is not something I have too much interest in anyway.
Greg Jones
Hey check out this great analysis done by Boston Magazine (through Babson College) comparing some public schools performance with their efficiency. http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best_high_school_chart
It appears from this recent study that Dartmouth Public Schools are pretty efficient not to mention fairly light in the number of sport teams and extracurricular clubs.
Sorry the Link got cut off
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best_high_school_chart
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/
best_high_school_chart
Im sure Diane Gilbert asked the school dept all the required questions before involving the IG's office... NOT. she went off as usual with one side of the story without checking her facts and involved the IG's office. The IG's office found nothing and she's left looking very unprofessional
Thanks to Phil Lenz and Greg Jones for explaining the facts on where the money to fund the much needed texts and computers for the kids has come from. I can only speak for myself but I know I am tired of the questions that insinuate some sort of underhandedness or wrong doing that Mr. Trimble and Ms. Gilbert frequently perpetuate and appreciate your willingness to help explain the truth!
Mr. Jones, you didn't answer why your criticism is allowed but others are not.
That is typical for Trimble.
"Hey, I heard so and so did .....
.... and so and so went to....
...interesting.
What do you think?"
Sound familiar? There are words for this:
Gossip, blab or tattle.
Greg - Just for the record, I have been pleased with the actions Dr. Russell has taken regarding my recommendations. He and I have had several follow-up conversations on the list I gave to him.
Besides the PC vs. Mac thing he has also implemented a policy requiring the total shut-down of computers during long stretches of non-use when students aren't even present. He has told me that the policy is in effect in the Middle School and will be expanded. Total implementation has the potential to save them around $400K in electric costs per year.
This money can clearly be better spent on pressing needs for the school system, and I am very glad he is interested in pursuing things like this. I have told him I am willing to try and help him any time he thinks I can.
That is good news to hear FrankG.
Greg Jones
Interesting that you hold a couple SB members accountable but the people actually in charge of running the town and schools get a free pass.
If you read the rankings at the bostonmagazine link, you will find Dartmouth ranks 80th out of 141 schools in cost effectiveness. That is the 43 percentile. They are 85th out of the 141 in academic achievement, the 39the percentile. Put another way, 57% of the schools listed get more education for their money and 61% perform better academically than Dartmouth. Not a great review.
Yes but we rank 133 out of 141 in per pupil spending and 123 of 141 in teacher student ratio.in non teacher staff we rank about 130th with 6. lots of waste there.But we manage to offer the third most AP,elective and honors courses and rank near the bottom in number of clubs and teams. numbers only tell one side of the story when you only see half the picture.
Greg,
You accuse me of pissing and moaning when all I am doing is trying to figure out how the new co-curricular bussing process is saving money. At no time have I criricized the new procedure and it may very well be saving the town money. I am not going to just take their word for though. I guess by making it personal, you feel attention can be diverted from the questions I asked. That is exactly the type of behavior that makes people suspicious. Transparency and vetting of the new process is the best way to get support for it.
Umm Barry - where have I accused you of anything? Not sure where this is coming from - all I said was I heard from Cordeiro that the change was to provide more flexibility but did'nt pay much attention to that particular issue. I was aware of the matter that Diane brought up to the AG but posted nothing about it. I've stayed clear of these blogs for a while for just this sort of stuff. I posted what I remembered from the last 2 meetings I attended, cast aspersions on no one and attacked no one. As you know we have our differences and when we have disagreed in the past we have told each other and left it at that-let's try and keep it that way.
Greg Jones
The ND library is open to service the north side (remember those people they count) and to have enough hours for public service and certification. Nothing sneaky or bad. from patron who is glad to have a library in North. Thanks for caring.
you know if the IG office didnt have a problem after investigating a wild claim or checking 30b qoutes why would barry? interesting that he would support more expensive bus service.
Greg,
It was not you that I should have been responding to about making things personal in order to avoid answering questions about how this new bidding process works for co-curricular bussing. My response should have been to the coward attacking me anonymously, not you.
To anonymous 2:18, If I ask questions about a new procedure being used by the School Department, you accuse me of supporting more expensive bus service. That is making it personal in order to divert attentions from the questions. This is the kind of behavior that makes people suspicious. I haven't taken a position on this co-curricular bussing issue because I am having trouble getting enough information to take one. I will not take the school admin's word for that we are saving money until they show me exactly how. Remember when they said we would save over $900k by closing the schools. When they were pressured to "show me the money", it was more like $400k.
"SHOW ME THE MONEY"
Barry,
There is no position to take. The IG's office says everything is legal.thats not the school dept speaking its the Inspecter General's office saying that everything is above board.
Legality aside, Barry has asked how and if the new arrangement saves money.
Once again questions are diverted by attacks. No answers as to how this is saving money. What is being done may be legal but that doesn't mean it is saving the town money. Where is the proof that it is? If the schools want support from the voters they need to do a better job convincing them that everything is kosher. Every time a question is posed regarding the schools it becomes an anti-education issue. This does not help your cause.
Barry have you called mr. Cordeiro? It sometimes does appear that you are trying to cast doubt and suspicion unnecessarily. This is not an attack. I am simply saying that some questions should be asked and answered before we debate the efficacy of this issue.
As far as something's "being legal," clause (b) in the contracts of those eight town employees that gave them job and financial protection for life was "legal," but would it save the town any money? When it is eliminated from future contracts, starting in 2009, then the town will no longer be restricted by a contract provision and the SB will no longer be obligated to keeping those public servants in town employment no matter what the town's financial circumstances are, particularly at their current salary, until these employees themselves decide to leave.
All this was perfectly legal to do, and was supposedly even the brainchild of an attorney to begin with as we were told, but it was a costly financial trap for the town, no matter how much anyone felt these individuals deserved to have this clause.
Legality isn't the issue. Spending and saving money is. And nothing wrong in finding out first if something is or is not legal. Clause b was legal, and if the public did not eventually know about it and enough concerns voiced, it would still be certain to be on the books in all likelihood. It is legal, but not necessarily "right." There's a major difference, particularly when we are footing the bill.
Very good point and very relevant to the comments made on this blog. Some who comment here call asking questions and trying to find answers pissing and moaning. However without people like Bill Trimble, Barry Walker, Frank Gracie, Diane Gilbert, Greg Lynam and others looking into the issues of this town a lot of things like the personal contracts with job security clauses would have gone on unnoticed and unchanged. These contracts are of no benefit to the town whatsoever. I for one would prefer the inquiries over assuming our town leaders have the taxpayers best interests in mind. And when did asking for accountability and information become pissing and moaning?
anonymous 6:28, Yes I did ask my questions to the school administration. The responses were courteous, prompt and vague. One thing that was answered is that the new process eliminates the need for "sealed bids." I am going to let the new process go on for awhile and then I will persue a more detailed analysis of "if" and "how" it saves money. Transparency is good. Should the new process save money while at the same time being transparent, it will benefit everybody.
Barry if you think our Superintendent and Business Administrator don't know what they are doing then by all means announce this at a School Committee meeting. Start the process of getting new ones.
Sounds like the school committee would rather fight than be transparent.
Who is going to suggest that Steve R quit? And Mr. Cordeiro of course! No vision, bad decisions, energizer creatures of bad decisions.
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