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The School Committee (SC) isn't getting the increase in their budget that they asked for. No one expected that they would.

Every department is making do with less in these hard economic times. The SC doesn't seem to understand that.

The SC just laid off another 72 teachers reducing their numbers to about 896. That also reduces cost of those salaries.

Our student population is now down below 9,000.

The SC keeps closing schools dramatically reducing their overhead.

And with all this downsizing, the SC SHOULD be asking for less money. But the SC wants more money, and if they don't get it they are threatening to sue.

And they understand that in order to sue the City the SC needs an INDEPENDANT audit.

And they want to A.) be allowed to pick the so-called INDEPENDANT AUDITOR and B.) have the TAXPAYERS PAY FOR IT!!!

Honest question:

Are you KIDDING ME??? The SC wants to sue the City (taxpayers) and have the City (taxpayers) pick up the tab??

NO WAY!!

Here's another honest question:

How can the auditor be INDEPENDANT if it is picked by the very party that wants the new increased budget? What would keep the SC from unfairly influencing the auditor?? Shouldn't it be picked by the City Council?? Or acting Mayor Solomon??Or by a lottery?? Or anyone BUT the SC??

THAT WOULD BE AN INDEPENDANT AUDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THAT would be something the taxpayer should be willing to pay for because I feel it would show a clear and honest picture (for the first time in years!) of where the taxpayers money is actually spent! The taxpayers deserve to know just where their one-and-a-half BILLION dollars (since 2009) have gone. I strongly favor an INDEPENDANT audit, just not a biased one. I've been calling for one for years. I have said "before we give them another dime!" Now I think we should call their bluff. Just make sure it isn't a tainted audit. Make sure it's a true, unbiased, INDEPENDANT audit. Make sure the findings are made PUBLIC, and I'm sure we will all respect the results. It might even help repair the reputation of the SC. Maybe.

Happy Summer everyone.

Rick Corrente

The Taxpayers Mayor.