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Multiple points to be made here. First, Warwick will spend $17,000 per pupil this year. A lack of funds is clearly not a problem, unless you are a public sector employee, in which case a lack of funds is always, always, always the problem.

Clear thinking city residents have known for at least five years that consolidation should occur, and two high schools were not necessary. The fact that the school committee tabled the hard work of a committed group is an act of absolute cowardice. All while the mayor continues to hide under his desk, except to say that he would "let" the school department "keep" any savings from consolidation. Note to Mr. Avedesian: It's not your money!

Finally, it's always humorous to hear school department personnel make comparisons with business. “If this was a business, some parts of the system would have been closed down years ago,” says the superintendent. Mr. D'Agostino, if this was a business, you would have been fired long ago. If this was a business, the board of directors would not be hiring a consulting firm after a clear and much needed recommendation was on the table. If this was a business, there would be no limits on the number of employees who could be laid off because they are not needed. I can only assume that Mr. D'Agostino's experience in the private sector is zero. You would be hard pressed to find a more glaring example of a complete abdication of responsibility than the school committee, mayor, and superintendent. It's costly, embarrassing, and sends a message to any corporation that is considering a move to Warwick that leadership here is engaged in little more than collective navel gazing.

Five months ago we were ahead of where we are now. "Stuck in neutral"? Anyone who's ever driven a car can see we're in reverse.