LETTERS

Diverting funds from education

Posted 11/10/15

To the Editor:

In a recent letter submitted to you, I indicated that the Warwick School Committee authorized the expenditure of $60,000 (approx.) for the services of a PR firm. This was based on …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
LETTERS

Diverting funds from education

Posted

To the Editor:

In a recent letter submitted to you, I indicated that the Warwick School Committee authorized the expenditure of $60,000 (approx.) for the services of a PR firm. This was based on the calculations of $5,000 (approx.) per month through October 2016, as stated by Chairwoman Ahearn. I have recently learned that the official school department report lists the contract expiring in 2015. I assume therefore that Chairwoman Ahearn misspoke at the 10-13-15 school committee meeting. Therefore, the taxpayer funds allocated away from educational purposes by the school committee for the services of a public relations firm is $10,000 (approx.).

Regardless of the amount, I continue to express my outrage that the school committee would divert even a nickel of tax money collected to support education away from any venture that does not benefit the students of Warwick.

Thomas Doyle

Warwick

Comments

3 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Mr. Doyle,

    I was there at the school committee meeting when they presented the $4,999 per month (approx.) for the PR firm. It is my understanding that they can spend an amount "under $5,000 per month" without asking the taxpayers, city council, Mayor etc. for agreement. You stated your outrage that they would spend taxpayers money so badly. I agree but also, how about the fact that they felt they needed to?! I can't decide which is worse. Thomas, I want you to know that when I am Mayor we will have greater transparency in the school dept. and I strongly believe that will decrease or even eliminate the need for a PR firm. I completely agree with you that the students MUST come first. Today, they don't. Tomorrow, they will. Count on that.

    Thank you for reading. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor - 2016

    Wednesday, November 11, 2015 Report this

  • davet1107

    Mr. Doyle, I disagree. In the private sector (which so many feel the Schools should try to emulate) it is not uncommon for a $160 million enterprise to have a Communications / PR director or outside agency to develop and deliver messaging. it's good busimess and God knows, the SC has not been able to effectively deliver it's message in decades.

    Mr. Corrente, the expenditure fell below the amount required for bidding it out. Not every expenditure of the SC, the City Council, or any public agency for that matter has to receive taxpayer or Council approval. To do so handcuffs the organization and can prevent it from acting. Further, please stop implying that SC expenditures need City Council or taxayer approval. You are familiar with the current systemn of school governance vis a vis the City and comments like that are superfluous.

    Thursday, November 12, 2015 Report this

  • markyc

    To the best of my knowledge, as I understand it, the Warwick School Committee has almost complete autonomy once the Mayor/City Council provide the School Dept.'s funding for day to day school system operations. Bonding issues/appropriations must be submitted/approved by the City Council/Mayor before going to voters for a vote. The School Committee makes its annual budget request each spring; once the Mayor/City Council determines how much of taxpayer funding they will provide to the School Dept., the SC has authority/responsibility on how the money is spent. If the Mayor/City Council subsequently provide additional monies, such as for sports programs(to avoid potential cuts) later, the SC can apply the funds as it seems fit; they are not required to spend the funds on sports or music or any other program the Mayor/City Council desires.

    Monday, November 16, 2015 Report this