LETTERS

Perceptions that reflect reality?

Posted 9/15/15

To the Editor:

Warwick School committee chairperson Jennifer Ahearn and committee members Bethany Furtado and Eugene Nadeau have shown the taxpayers that they do not have the best interest of our …

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LETTERS

Perceptions that reflect reality?

Posted

To the Editor:

Warwick School committee chairperson Jennifer Ahearn and committee members Bethany Furtado and Eugene Nadeau have shown the taxpayers that they do not have the best interest of our kids in mind. Everything we do in this world is about perception. Let’s review the facts as I witnessed them and allow the public to decide.

Meeting called to order.  Committee chairperson unprepared with current copy of the agenda - provided to Ms. Ahearn by Ms. Furtado. Raises for a total of 10 administrators based on length of employment not merit asked for by Ms. Rosemary Healey with no discussion of cost.  Renewal of program regarding portfolios $12,500. Retroactive approval for emergency air conditioning repair at the administration building. Announcement of two finalists for Superintendent and invitation for the public to hear answers to questions next week. $30,000 in tree removal services with invoices still outstanding and job not complete. When asked if city offered assistance in services and/or payment the answer was “Yes.” Consolidation update that subcommittees – which include no teacher or parent – have been formed and are meeting weekly. Complete at approximately 7:45 p.m.

Ms. Ahearn opens the meeting for public discussion imposing a one-minute time limit. I have been a frequent attendee and the previous time limit has been two minutes. My perception? Ms. Ahearn doesn’t wish to hear what we have to say because who can thoughtfully and effectively communicate anything in 60 seconds? Ms. Furtado overrules Ms. Ahern and reinstates the two-minute rule.

Teachers speak about the contract offer and it’s finer points. There were comments of no raises being offered, and rightly so. We all want annual raises as proof that contributions and efforts are appreciated.

There were comments regarding class size and “weighting” of our most vulnerable students in order for the teachers to follow the mission statement. There were comments about our kids given schedules of honors level classes only to be told the day before school starts that there isn’t room for them in the classrooms.  If we have declining enrollment and an abundance of educators because contract language doesn’t allow for enough educators to be laid off, how do we not have enough room in classes or enough educators to provide the curriculum our children need?

Throughout all of the public comment, the committee remained silent (except to talk amongst themselves on occasion- certainly not the Golden Rule or finer points of respect that I try to teach my children but we can leave that for Ms. Ahearn and Mr. Nadeau to preach about). Councilwoman Kathleen Usler speaks. I didn’t know she was anything other than a parent as her comments were of that nature until Ms. Ahearn chooses this opportunity, and no other, to rebut the comments and allow her personal opinions of Ms. Usler to be reflected on the record. Ms. Ahearn’s actions were perceived by this taxpayer as self-serving, unnecessary and quite frankly, disrespectful, not only to Ms. Usler but to all in attendance. Ms. Ahearn chooses to allow only one more person to offer public comment although several people are in line and others, me included, are in their seats waiting to be heard.

Ms. Ahearn moves to adjourn and we are summarily dismissed at 8:26pm. All persons except Karen Bachus leave. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank her for having enough respect for the taxpayer and for a good work ethic that she remained to listen.

I have been in the auditorium until well after 10pm on occasion when the discussion Ms. Ahearn wants to have requires it. Or when Mr. Nadeau vehemently bellows about respect or that the downfall of all of society is not teaching our kids how to balance a checkbook. We should have been there until well after 10pm last evening too because the public required the discussion. Instead, we were ignored. We were shown by actions, which we all know speak louder than words, that our kids don’t matter to any member of this committee (except Ms. Bachus). Our educators were shown that their professional recommendations don’t matter and their contributions to make “Self-directed, life-long learners, highly productive responsible citizens, and contributors to a technological and diverse society” aren’t really what this committee is in support of. 

Kimberly Harrison

Warwick

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