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The fact that the LTFPC had the Mayor's Chief of Staff, who is the former City Planning Director, with expert credentials on these issues, two school principals, the secondary director of education, the superintendent, and others all who are impeccably qualified to make these decisions, and the vote was unanimous to consolidate, is significant.

Where was Mayor Avedisian to promote the plan when his Chief of Staff recommended it? Where was the City Council President? Oh that’s right she along with two other councilors was leading the grand standing band wagon by playing to the crowd in opposition.

The school committee in January did not accept the initial recommendation to close Gorton because they felt a long-term look at the district was not considered by that planning committee. That’s why they asked the LTFPC to start again.

Why didn’t those School Committee members who have now voiced criticism of the committee, asked for updates on progress during the process to make sure the scope of what they requested was being met? I will tell you why, because they were looking for any excuse not to close schools as a result of the pressure put on by the vocal parents.

And when they couldn't come up with a valid reason not to accept the plan, they manufactured one.

School Committee woman Backus relaying on a third party hearsay claim from information received from Councilwoman Vella-Wilkingson who received it from another person that the LTFPC decision was fixed is outrageous. Why not postpone the vote for a week, call in members of the committee and determine if that was in fact true? This was nothing more than a made up excuse to stop consolidation because she and the other two school committee members didn’t have the courage to accept the recommendation.

Two years from now will the parents whose kids have left the system attend any consolidation meeting? I doubt it. The short term comfort of the minority was place over the overall long-term well being of the entire school population, including the younger children who will soon advance into these half-filled, schools that are falling apart.

Bob Savage, it is apparent you have done some research regarding school sizing but have not equally show any understanding of the current budget trends in Warwick. Where is the school department going to get all the money to fix these building and keep all of them open?

Katogni nails the real issue regarding why this decision to delay school closing is wrong.

The fact is Warwick schools will not see any substantial increase in funding. Bob, please explain how you think Warwick School can balance its budget while keeping all these schools open and implement all day K and other planned programs while maintaining all existing student programs.

Here are two links you should take a look at. The first is my op-ed piece in the Providence Journal regarding why consolidation needed to occur now. The second is my analysis of the City and school budget over the last decade. Copy and paste each link into your browser.

http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/commentary/20131210-robert-cushman-consolidate-warwick-to-fix-its-schools.ece

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6P1sIPd4PTdTkI5WF9NM1pjVXM/edit?usp=sharing

From: Committee tables school plan

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