The forest and trees metaphor is pretty apt when our local boards analyze programs, outcomes and the budgets funding them.   When I served on the South Kingstown School Committee, I would pore over the budget comparing it to prior years, identifying trends, poking at every bit of minutia I was provided.  Once out of office,... Continue Reading →

How did masks become political? Those pushing to end masking of kids are a cross section of town, with many cross-partisan ideas bubbling amongst them. Opposition to easing the mandate, on the other hand, seem more uniform in worldview. If you ask a Democrat, they’ll blame Trump for all the COVID woes.  If you ask... Continue Reading →

And of course, then there is the emerging school facilities plan… Over the last few weeks, the South Kingstown School Committee has made some pretty big decisions.  Regardless of where you fall on this, everyone is acknowledging the changing demographics of South Kingstown.  What was emerging in 2010 became clear in 2018.  A few years... Continue Reading →

Why do we ignore history? After watching the community begin a slow simmer once again, I pulled out some “ancient” data.  You can see it here.  I have not verified it, but to many that have lived in South Kingstown for more than 20 years, they will say that it “looks about right”.  It definitely... Continue Reading →

“Thou dost protest too much.” -Bill Trained in engineering and finance, and much less so in literature, I can only guess at the true meaning of this phrase.  It strikes a chord in modern day goings on, though.  Drama, insincerity, and projection all come to mind. The splits in South Kingstown’s politics are glaring.  Those... Continue Reading →

I have been close to these budgets.  Very close.  A “lack of funding” cannot be the culprit for every decision from local officials that change services or reconsider programming.  When a 1% or 2% fiscal nudge in anything is blamed, I seriously question the competence and/or the integrity of those using the argument.  Imagine raising... Continue Reading →

On February 11, the South Kingstown School Committee adopted a budget for the next fiscal year and forwarded it to the Town Council for approval of a requested 2% increase in tax transfer.  On February 20, they met with the Council to sell their request.  The key rationale was that the increase in spending, despite... Continue Reading →

When faced with difficult circumstances, it is often easiest to do nothing.  Ignore the factors that are pressuring a decision and just hope for the best.  In deferring a difficult choice about its schools, South Kingstown is dividing along class lines in ways that will not improve if they are ignored. Facing nearly two decades... Continue Reading →