I Give the Lowell Committee a ton of credit. They realize that the projected budget for 2011/2012 may be more dire than this year if all predictions come true, so they said NO to spending any of the Federal Money earmarked for Lowell in this calendar year and instead will hold it for next year to try and keep cuts to a minimum.
Saving money is never an easy thing to do and with so many library/media specialist being eliminated they easily could have brought them back but realizing that if they did they would be forced in all likelihood to cut them next year, they stood firm and said No to spending any money.
It no doubt was a hard choice but I believe the right choice and the members who supported it 5-2 Jackie Doherty, Alison Laraba, Jim Leary, Connie Martin and the Mayor should be commended by the Manager, City Council and taxpayers for taking a stand for fiscal responsibility.
I was impressed with and cheering on Jackie Doherty when she said NO to funding any more money for athletics. When she stated” We know we overpay our coaches and they (meaning the Union) have offered no concessions. We have to hold firm and hold our stand or we weaken our positions in negotiations” (or words to that effect). It showed me that maybe finally we have a majority of school committee members willing to go toe to toe with Paul Georges and get somethings back from this Union which has given very little back while watching other unions take furloughs and make concessions. They will not give into temptation or intimidation and held firm.
This School Committee is facing two Major challenges in the upcoming year along with having to run for re-election. They need to negotiate a new teachers contract and need to resign Supt. Scott without giving her to big a raise.
That is not an easy task and they still must deal with the everyday events of the Lowell School Dept. For today at least I give them huge props and credit for being financially wise and holding the funds for next year.
0.000000
0.000000
