Last night I attended the Stand Up for Dracut Informational Meeting regarding the Proposed 2.9 Million Dollar Override for the Dracut School System.

A Few observations:

I was somewhat surprised that School Committee member Matt Sheehan wasn’t at the SC Meeting or at the Informational Meeting either and to my knowledge no one stated a reason for his absence (which he may have valid reasons so I am not judging just stating the fact he wasn’t present.)

The other 4 School Committee members along with the Superintendent and his administration all are on board and supportive of this override.

I tweeted at the beginning that there were approx. 110 people but by the mind-point it had grown to close to 150.

NO Selectman attended. To me this meeting was just like a Neighborhood meeting here in Lowell and there are usually 1-4 Councilors that attend. I was surprised and many in attendance disappointed that no Selectman showed up to listen or contribute anything.

Neither did the Town Manager or anyone representing him. Again in Lowell the administration sends out staff to neighborhood groups to answer questions or bring back questions. This seemed like a slap in the face of the parents and citizens who attended.

This is a group of concerned parents NOT two School Committee members leading this organization. Sarah Simes, Michelle Green and Kella Petka are the leaders and were the main presenters along with parent / Guidance Counselor Danielle D’Amato and parent Mike Sancartier. Superintendent Steve Stone and Dr. McNamara Chair of the School Committee also made remarks.

Supt. Stone informed everyone that there is an approx. $1,000,000.00 difference in what the School is looking for and what the town is offering and included a revised update that shows what the Override Funds would be used for and what happens if the 2.9 million is defeated.

Supt. Override Letter_v.3_5.16.13

This group truly believes that the school system has been treated poorly by the town officials and that they are 100% in for the entire 2.9 Million rather than seeking to compromise for the suggested $750,000 the Town Manager proposed at the expense of the CPA. They don’t want to alienate any group and Mike Sancartier reminded everyone that when this is over these are our neighbors and friends and this process needs to be done respectfully.

I need to point out that the Superintendent has NOT supplied the Committee or residence with a breakdown should the Manager’s proposal pass and the School Dept. receives another $550,000 for next year. Instead he has seemingly bought into the all or nothing proposal and the 4 School Committee members also seem to support the all or nothing proposal.

There were not many questions asked last night. Since I am NOT from Dracut and was just there to observe I didn’t ask any questions but have a few that I hope members of this group will take the time to address because I think residence of the town may have some of the same questions and need them answered so they can make an informed decision.

Questions:

Does the 1 Million Dollar difference between the School’s Request and the Town’s offering include the $650,000 Technology Improvement article that is the main highlight in the Supt.s letter if the Override passes?

Has the School Committee looked at Privatizing the Food Service and Janitorial Service of the School Department? How much could be saved? Lowell has Aramark running the food service and Chelmsford privatized the janitorial services.

Could the School’s receiving the additional $550,000 this year in the Manager’s proposal, wait 1 year for the technology upgrade and during that time work with the Selectman in forecasting what selling the Parker Avenue School and selling the School Administration Building would bring the town in order to do a Town wide Technology Update? or at least the proposed Superintendent’s Technology Upgrade?

The 2.9 million override boils down to approx. $6.00 a week per average $300,000 home in Dracut. However the people of the town already willingly are paying approx. $5.00 a week more by approving the High School Renovation Project and Tech School Renovation Project.

For some folks on a fixed income that is now an additional $572.00 a year plus the cost of the 2.5% increase the town is proposing to the property tax.

Why after so many years of cuts does it all have to be restored in 1 year? Why can’t this be done in stages working with the Selectman and Manager.

Where are the Selectman? They are either 100% opposed and not willing to even think outside the box and offer alternatives or there is a lack of quality leadership has some people have stated. The Selectman cannot and should not sit by and alienate concerned residence who are guilty only of wanting a better school for their children.

Closing:

This isn’t a select few people running a political campaign, you have a large solid group of involved and concerned parents and before the Town meeting the Selectman,School Committee, School Superintendent along with the Fiance Board and Town Manager need to look at some of these issues/questions I have raised and be prepared to offer answers to this community.

Now more than ever Dracut’s elected leaders need to prove that this isn’t about ego’s and political sides, it is about what the community of Dracut can do to restore some funding without breaking the backs of the residence and improve the schools which is good for the community.

Centraville Proud!

Ed Davis is a great Centraville / Lowell guy who never forgot his roots. His dad Eddie who was also a Lowell Police Officer used to work St. Michael’s Bingo every week and like his son, was a man with a huge heart and love for his city. Reading and listening to Supt. Davis’s speech reminded me of how much like his father the Supt. is and what great men they both are.

Speaking of Proud a moment of self indulgence while I congratulate and brag about my kid brother Fred Nutter. Fred was the 10th of 11 kids and was always smaller and a slight build but had great passion for Football. He was also one who set goals for himself and never quit until he reached them. He played football at both Lowell High and UCONN receiving spirit awards from both. He graduated UCONN with a degree in Communications and won an Emmy while working for the Fox affiliate in Conn. He has been a sports producer at ch. 7 Boston, fought in the Lowell Golden Gloves and has taken up screen writing and participated in Stephen Spielberg’s Dreamworks screenwriters contest.

In the past two weeks he has been hired a Producer for the new national Fox Sports network, “Fox Sports 1” launching in August and this week was notified that he is one of ten semi-finalists in the Nantucket Film Festival’s 2013 Showtime Screenplay Competition. The number of submissions to this year’s competition broke records, but the reading committee and staff alike were highly impressed by his script, “MASTERPIECE”….Fred embodies the never give up and follow your dreams saying that we share with our kids. Congrats to Fred has he prepares to head out to California and follows his dreams.

Away we go…

Sometimes you can’t make this stuff up…talk about Irony..this is a statement from today’s column blog in regard to another City Councilors motion…Councilor Rodney Elliott said the motion was out of order.

The Lowell School Dept. is facing some tough questions themselves about the treatment of a student suffering asthma attack at the Greenhalge School. Here’s a small sample of one of several Facebook Post that were written about this topic:

What kind of a school nurse calls everyone on a child’s emergency contact list saying that “he is having a hard time breathing and needs an inhaler brought down”? Then when his mother arrives she finds him sitting alone in the middle of an asthma attack while the school nurse was not present because she had to attend a meeting. The mother called 911 herself to have the child transported to the ER.

I know that several Lowell Committee members were informed about these events and are contacting both the School Administration and the Health Director to find out what the exact story and events are.

In Dracut the new group titled Stand Up for Dracut will be holding an informational meeting regarding the proposed 2.9 Million Dollar Override, tomorrow night at Harmony Hall directly after the School Committee meeting. It will be a good opportunity for residence to listen and maybe ask question about the proposal.

I noticed in my travels yesterday that City Council Candidate Dan Rourke had sign holders out waving to people at various intersections. I spoke to Dan last night as he was working the large crowd at the East End who were there supporting the Lowell Police Union fundraiser and he also mentioned that all are Invited to his Campaign Kick-off Event on Friday May 31st from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at JJ Boomers on Pawtucket Blvd.

Speaking of Fundraisers, the undisputed Queen of the Council, Rita Mercier will be kicking off her re-election with a party this Thursday May 23rd from 6:00 -9:00 pm at the East End Club.

Those who want to paint the LMA Contract Issue as a personal war between the Present City Manager Lynch and former City Manager Taupier are way off base. Former Manager Taupier never has publicly criticized the current Manager. He is critical of the RFQ Process and the risk this contract holds for the City. He cited the fact that he could not publicly comment on the contract until after the Trustee voted since it was reviewed in Executive Session and felt that had he voted against the contract the story would NOT have been his concerns but blown up into a war of Managers which the Sun and George Anthes on City Life have tried to do anyway.

By supporting the contract with his fellow trustee’s and then responding to Councilor’s question and publicly stating his concerns he thought was the best way to spotlight the concerns and what he see’s as the flaws in it. He told me it wasn’t his ego as I had suggested last week (his business partner informs him of my writings anytime I mention him..apparently she is a fan or at least a regular reader of this forum) but his background as an accountant and his concern for the risk and exposure the city is assuming, that he has issues with.

Instead of just looking at a change to strong Mayor format, I believe the City should look at the entire Charter and separately but during the same period, look at the compensation it pays ALL Elected Officials including the Council, School Committee and Tech School Committee members who receive ZERO compensation.

I like the Worcester form of Plan E were the City elects its Mayor and the Council. That way it is the community responsible rather than 1 or 2 fellow Councilors deciding who the Mayor will be and in the process causing ill will, bruised ego’s and political feuds that last for years.

C. Elliott – Req. City Solicitor provide an explanation on damage claim refused for 58 Carroll Parkway.

On this week’s Agenda City Councilor Rodney Elliot is asking for the City Solicitor to explain to the Council and public why a property claim of damage against the city was refused?

I’m curious, under the current charter and Plan E form of Government, isn’t this question out of line? Especially since the claim could be appealed? In all my years of watching a City Council meeting I’ve seen hundreds of claims referred to the Law Dept. but never have seen one brought in by a Councilor in the form of a motion to ask why a ruling in favor of the City was ruled to be in the City’s favor?

Why does a City Councilor find it necessary to single out 1 of hundreds of claims filed and in some cases I am sure refused? What makes this claim “Special” or “Unique”?

Anyone have any ideas?

FYI- I do know who lives there since I looked it up and I do not know of this person. Since this person is NOT a public figure though this councilor may be making them one do to this motion, I will not publish the name of the homeowner out of respect to their privacy.

GN: Long time Dunstable Greater Lowell Technical School Committee member Dave Tully used a Point of Personal Privilege at last night’s meeting (after some behind the scene hesitation by Chair Paul Morin) to make a public apology to Superintendent Mary Jo Santoro and to let the graduating students and the Greater Lowell Community know that in his opinion Ms. Santoro was an outstanding Superintendent who didn’t deserve to be treated in the manner some on the board have treated her.

I requested and received a copy of his statement and would like to share that with you all.

Prepared by David E. Tully, SC Representative from Dunstable MA
The following comments relate strictly to my opinion and my opinion alone, although I do know that many people will agree with me, some will not.

Over the last month, the School Committee has begun the process of hiring a new superintendent-director; last month we elected a new chairman. I would like to start with a new beginning, clearing the air and moving forward working together as we have been able to do so many times in the past. With this said, I would appreciate a few minutes to express my thoughts and the feelings of many individuals who have spoken to me over several months

Growing up on a dairy farm in Dunstable, we learned the value of hard work and mutual respect. I go back to a comment my grandfather always said “Treat other people the way you would like to be treated.” I have always tried to follow that advice, although sometimes it is difficult.

My comments, although they may appear critical, are being presented with the hopes of putting the past year behind us and move forward for the benefit of this school, its staff and its students. Many past actions are best “left in the rear view mirror;” so Greater Lowell can move forward and continue its excellent reputation. I am fully aware that I cannot speak for this committee; my comments are my opinion alone.

For the entire length of time that I have been a member of this committee, I have never had as many people speak to me about any other issue. At least from the people that have spoken to me; there is a concern about how the committee has presented itself, in particular; how the current Superintendent-Director has been treated.

I feel that I owe the Superintendent and the residents I represent an apology. I would like the residents, the students and staff of this great school to know that I am also concerned that there may be a feeling that the “school is in disarray; IT IS NOT.”

At a recent School Committee meeting, I personally thought the meeting was less than courteous, respectful or whatever you want to call it. Personally, I found that meeting disgraceful. I was embarrassed for the School Committee and being a part of the Committee that evening; I was especially embarrassed at the way in which Ms. Santoro, a 35 year employee from Special Education Director to Superintendent Director was treated. I fee that I would like to make a public apology, at least for myself.

I have been a member of this Committee for many years; I have participated in some very memorable events, good and bad. The high point was to hand my grandson, a former student of Ms. Santoro, his diploma. The lowest point I ever encountered was the School Committee meeting held in January of 2013, followed in close second being accused of stealing from “these people” by a person who knows better.

I know that the next School Committee meeting will be the last at Greater Lowell for Ms. Santoro as Superintendent-Director and that my comments could probably be said just as well at that meeting. However, I would like my thoughts to be made before the senior class graduation in hopes of making the graduating students aware that, again in my opinion, this school is in very good hands and has been during the entire time of their tenure at Greater-Lowell. After all, during Ms. Santoro’s entire term at this School, it has always been about the students.

I feel honored to have worked with Ms. Santoro for so many years; although not directly until the last possibly ten years. Whether I always agreed with the Superintendent or not; I think she should be proud of her accomplishments and tenure at Greater Lowell.

She has touched and aided the lives of thousands of students passing through this school; their well-being always came first. I know that she is a very tough task-master; but, she doesn’t expect any more than she contributes herself. I have not heard any of the administrative staff complain that she is too strict or unfair.

Ms. Santoro has succeeded very capable Superintendents, each with his/her own qualities, strengths and weaknesses. She has taken what she learned, developed and passed her knowledge on to her successors. I believe that the majority of the current and past School Committee members feel that Ms. Santoro has made major strides forward for the students of this District.

We recently received a report from the DESE in which scores were compared to districts that “DO NOT COMPARE” to Greater Lowell. As I said at that meeting, I felt that some of the comparisons were not true reflections of the education at this school. Ms. Santoro, although she too probably did not agree with the entire report; did not sit down to argue; she sat down to see how the educational process could be improved. After all, it is not about who is right or wrong, it is about helping the students.

I know that I cannot speak for the Committee, but I feel that the School Committee, as a whole, owes the Superintendent-Director an apology for some actions, again in my opinion, over this past year, which has led to her decision not to request a renewal of her contract. We have all said things that maybe we later regret; I believe that is probably the case here.

Personally, and I hope the majority of this committee, feels that Ms. Santoro has done an excellent job at Greater-Lowell and will be a very tough act to follow. I wish her well and I am sure the majority of this Committee does as well as she leaves the District.

I am very appreciative that the citizens of the Town of Dunstable have allowed me the opportunity to represent them; I can assure you that its residents appreciate Ms. Santoro’s efforts and contributions to this school.

Thank you, Ms. Santoro, for dedicating your career to the students of Greater Lowell Technical High School. I consider you to be an extremely capable and qualified administrator and hopefully, a friend.

I thank the Committee for listening to my comments; please let’s put this past year behind us so we can move Greater Lowell forward as it has always done.Ms. Santoro, I wish you nothing but the best in the future.

Thank You
David E. Tully

That is the Headline in this weeks Boston Business Journal that features UMass Lowell and Chancellor Marty Meehan on the cover.

It is a very positive article on the expansion of ULowell and has an opening paragraph that I’m sure will catch the eye of many here in the community.

Here’s an excerpt:

As he drives through downtown Lowell, Marty Meehan points with excitement at the Lowell District courthouse, a building he has his eyes on to house UMass Lowell’s art department. No matter that the state courthouse is still bustling with judicial proceedings.“There’s parking for it, too,” Meehan said. “It would be fabulous.”

This isn’t the first time that the former congressman has had his eyes on a property in his hometown, and it certainly won’t be the last. Since Meehan joined UMass Lowell as its chancellor in mid-2007, he has presided over a massive expansion of the school, with nearly 600 Million in capital projects that have been completed or set in motion.