I understand Dave Conway being in lock step with the Union, for years he was one of them and he can sympathize with them. But for Jackie Doherty and Allison Laraba to not only accept that the Union gave no concession but want to SPEND $200,000 on them for Professional Development instead of using that money for books or computers is really stomach turning. You had the chance to stand up for the children, parents and voters but instead you chose to pander to the Union.
Tell the kids who don’t have a media/library specialist or asst. coaches how much more important Professional Development is instead of these positions. Tell the people who were laid off that their positions don’t matter as much as Professional Development does. Explain how it is sound fiscal management to start the 2011/2012 school year -$511,000.00
Having to make cuts and taking a stand against the teachers like it or not this is part of being on the School Committee, you should have known that when you chose to run. For the three of you to NOT vote to cut the professional development fund instead of using the entire $511,000.00 in one time money makes my stomach (large as it is) turn.
Connie Martin, Jim Leary and John Leahy are going to have a hard time getting anything changed as long as the other three members are in lock step with the teachers union. The Mayor can’t vote on some personal issues (but can vote on the whole budget, which makes little sense to me but apparently it’s a quirk in the law that allows it). This school committee is clearly split between professional people who understand the need for fiscal responsibility and change in business as usual and 3 people who pander to the Union and don’t have the stomach to take a stand against business as usual.
It is time for Dave Conway, Jackie Doherty and Allison Laraba to decide if they have the stomach to survive another bad budget and pro-longed contract fight because if they don’t have the stomach now, then they need to step aside and let people who have the guts take their place and make the hard choices they don’t have the stomach for.
I totally agree with this post. Why should teachers get anything when they dont give anything. just like everyone is saying the private can not afford the public anymore. It is time to remove some of the many extras that teachers get. No more sick day buy back, no more funded health insurance, no more sick days for onlyworking part of the year. Show me a private company that has these benefits? I know i dont but sure wish i was a teacher and had all of these things given to me at the expense of our kids.
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