EDITORIAL

Schools must face challenges

Posted 10/30/14

Next Tuesday voters in two of the city’s three school districts will have the choice of changing the direction of our schools.

That sounds preposterous. How could two people have such a profound …

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EDITORIAL

Schools must face challenges

Posted

Next Tuesday voters in two of the city’s three school districts will have the choice of changing the direction of our schools.

That sounds preposterous. How could two people have such a profound impact on a system that touches the lives of more than 9,000 students operating on a budget of $162.6 million?

The answer is that five non-partisan committee members have the ultimate say on how the system runs. Three votes are all it takes.

Such concentration of power has its flaws, which should be reviewed by voters. That would require a change in the City Charter and is an issue to be explored at another time.

More immediately, voters in District 1 comprised of Wards 1, 2 and 3 will have the choice of returning Eugene Nadeau to the committee or electing challenger Dean Johnson. In District 2, voters in Wards 4, 5 and 6 will choose between incumbent Terri Medeiros and Stephen Pope. In District 3, made up of Wards 7, 8 and 9, incumbent and committee chair Bethany Furtado is running unopposed.

Two of many issues facing the school department stand out. One is how to allocate resources to deliver a quality education to our children –a challenge that has always faced the committee. The second, how to prepare for the future, is likewise a timeless challenge.

Unfortunately, the committee has become moribund with the fear of doing the wrong thing. That was no more evident when, after rejecting a subcommittee recommendation to close Gorton Junior High School in response to declining enrollment, that it charged another panel to look at the entire secondary system. After months of hearings, the panel returned with a unanimous recommendation to consolidate the system to two high schools – Toll Gate and Pilgrim – and two middle schools – Winman and a new middle school at what is now Vets High School.

The consolidation would produce immediate savings that Mayor Scott Avedisian promised he would recommend the schools keep, enabling the system to provide universal all-day kindergarten among other improvements.

That plan was tabled by the committee last spring in favor of bringing in outside consultants to study the situation. As of now, the committee has yet to select a consultant, thereby further postponing the inevitable. The system must face up to declining enrollment and buildings being used at less than their capacity.

Both Johnson and Pope say they are prepared to make the hard decisions.

We know where the incumbents stand, or we think we do.

Medeiros has been consistent. She and Furtado favored consolidation. They have shown, in the face of the emotional outcry from students, parents and even school alumni, that, when given a well-researched and publicly aired plan, they can make a decision.

We don’t understand Nadeau, who ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and is a strong advocate of all-day kindergarten. In favoring additional study on consolidation, Nadeau delayed cost reductions that would have expedited all-day K.

As narrowly based a recommendation as it is, our choices are Johnson in District 1 and Medeiros in District 2.

While the races for governor and mayor of Providence have overshadowed local races, we urge voters not to overlook the School Committee. Read the profiles of the candidates provided in this section…even give them a call and let them explain where they stand. But first and foremost, recognize schools are crucial to our city and our future, and get out and vote.

Comments

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  • davebarry109

    Un-freakin believable. The whole school committee system needs to be scrapped. The delay in consolidation is poor business. It is costing the city millions. Stop the nonsense already.

    Thursday, October 30, 2014 Report this

  • warwick10

    That's Warwick... wasting taxpayers ' money, everything takes 20 + years to get done, literally!! From school consolidations to airport expansions. Apponaug bypass ...unbelievable, YES!!!

    Thursday, October 30, 2014 Report this

  • warwick10

    Oh, and especially Rocky Point! Millions in lost revenue!

    Thursday, October 30, 2014 Report this

  • JohnStark

    The decision to hire a consultant was made December 13, 2013. For those keeping score at home, that's nearly 11 months ago. To date, No Consultant. This would all be humorous if it weren't so infuriating. And where's the leadership? School committee? Nope. Mayor? Nope. Superintendent? Nope. As these individuals continue to exhibit their courage by hiding under their desks, taxpayers will soon be heating half-empty buildings. Again.

    Thursday, October 30, 2014 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Beth Furtado takes a stand????? Like when she took a stand in favor of consolidation? That was until the public backlash that came with it. When the commitee voted to table the plan they (including Ms. Furtado) voted 5-0 to table it. What has she taken a stand on?

    Monday, November 3, 2014 Report this

  • wheelchairman

    Thank you very much for the recommendation.

    Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Report this

  • wheelchairman

    I promise to go in and work on making Warwick schools the best in the state. It should not take 4 years to decide a single question. I hope to work with everyone on fixing our school system.

    Dean Johnson

    Warwick

    Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Report this

  • spope66

    The voters have a choice. More of the same or changes that will accimplish what is necessary. A better, more effective and more fiscally responsible system or what we have had for the past 4 years. Creating a system that graduates students capable of spring themselves by learning useful skills, or a system where the biggest concern is having fun and making memories. I hope to be able to make positive, sensible changes.

    Stephen Pope

    Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Report this