As visionary mathematician Homer Simpson once said, "You can use statistics to prove anything! 14% of people know that!!" If anyone ever doubted Dr Simpson, this year's SK budget season stands as a stark reminder that reality is in the eye of the beholder and everyone can find a number to defend their argument, and... Continue Reading →
Children Should Come First
The March 12 School Committee meeting agenda included discussion of the Personnel Assignment Team (PAT). Many residents may not be familiar with this policy and how it impacts student learning. The PAT sets the procedures by which teachers are chosen to fill open positions. The policy, created and approved in 2011, established a collaborative process... Continue Reading →
What if we just transposed two words?
My family has been part of the SK School District for over 12 years and part of the SK Community for 19 years. My kids started at Peace Dale Elementary then Broad Rock, Curtis Corner and now SKHS. We were lucky in that our kids never had to be redistricted in Elementary School but even... Continue Reading →
Community Comment – Town Council Budget Meeting
Some thoughts from a resident regarding public commentary last night at the town council meeting: It seems as though the individuals in favor of the PTT and the inevitable tax increase are all those who have already established family’s in the town, or who have lived here for years and have had multiple children go... Continue Reading →
The “Cut List”.
The fiscal “challenges” are there every year. The only difference is how the elected folks deal with them. The budget process for the schools is frighteningly predictable. For the last 10 years, the same pressures have existed. Consider the following factors. Enrollment drops by another 50 to 100 kids as larger graduating classes are replaced... Continue Reading →
Sometimes It’s About the Money and Sometimes It’s Not
Sometimes it’s about the money and sometimes it’s not. This time it’s both. The school committee’s request for an additional 1.5% property tax transfer (from 1% to 2.5%) may not be extreme, but it sits on top of a much larger tax increase which includes money set aside to pay for school construction projects. That... Continue Reading →
Dear South Kingstown Town Council – Please support a 1% Property Tax Transfer Increase to School Funding:
Dear Town Council Members: Thank you for your time and service on the Town Council. I very much appreciate your time in reading this note. I will make this short because I am sure you are inundated with emails regarding this subject. I am asking that you support the Town Manager’s strongly supported recommendation for... Continue Reading →
League of Heroes: Recap of Last Night’s (3/6) SK Town Council Budget Hearing
The hearing last night was inspirational, motivational, and at times highly emotional. I was certainly not the only citizen moved to tears last night. Initially, the town manager discussed a "Theory of Government Grants" to inform everyone on the reasons for a town to offer private grants. It was concisely and well presented. He used... Continue Reading →