06.28.06
New blog created - cranstonschools.org
We must never allow what happened to Horton to happen again.
Surf on over and see what’s what.
06.24.06
The End
Our wonderful neighborhood elementary school is no more, killed by a shortsighted school committee at the behest of a school department in disarray.
The Horton Community had a blast at the farewell cookout. Close to two hundred children, parents, grandparents, teachers, staff and alumnae/i joined together for one last hurrah.
The food was great, the company was even better and the children went wild in the bounce house and dunk tank.
We hope to post some photos of the event in the near future, so check back often.
Thank you to all who made this event a reality, particularly the Horton PATH (PTO.)
05.26.06
“Now is not a good time.”
I thought that this phrase, which many of our parents will find familiar, most accurately describes the current situation.
I have sought opinions from several attorneys and there appears to be no legal recourse to save Horton.
Recently, parents received a communication from the Horton Principal. I’ve added my comments to it:
“The final vote was taken at the last School Committee meeting on the resolution to close Horton School. The resolution passed with a 4-3 vote. [Deb Greifer, in an act of political calculation, finally voted the right way after voting against Horton twice.] The Horton Community, myself and the staff are deeply saddened by this decision. We realize that our school is a very special place where our students are held to high standards and nurtured at the same time. I also know that we enjoy that reputation with our Superintendent and School Committee and that this decision was not made lightly. [Were this true, Horton would still be alive.]To that end, we continue to pursue our daily work which is to improve and increase student achievement.
At the close of this school year, student records will be sent to either Stadium School or Woodridge School. If you reside on the northern side of Park Ave. your child will attend Stadium School. If you live on the southern side of Park Ave. (the side where Horton stands) your child will attend Woodridge School. Both schools are exceptional with extremely competent teachers and strong, effective leadership. [Woodridge was rated in 2004 as “High Performing and Sustaining”, Stadium was rated in 2004 as “Moderately Performing and Improving.”] These schools are eagerly awaiting their new “Horton” friends.
We are in the process of planning an orientation and visit to each of these schools. [Are they making this up as they go along?] The students will have an opportunity to tour their new building and learn about the routine of their new school. Once the details have been established, we will let you know the exact days and times of the visits. [See previous comment.]
Bus transportation will also be provided to both Stadium and Woodridge Schools for the next school year. The schedule and stops will be forwarded to you at the end of the summer as it is for all schools. [How long will the bus rides be?]
Please remind your child that there are many advantages to change, one of which is the opportunity to meet new friends. I also recall the adage “When one door closes, another opens”. [I recall the quote by British philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell, “Change is one thing, progress is another.”]
We have time for our celebrations and good-byes. Our charge now is to continue our daily work of teaching and learning.
Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns.”
While we are told that the phone lines and doors to the School Department are always open, we find that their minds are almost always closed.
04.20.06
Ten days later…
…And I’m still madder than hell!
I have not given up the fight. While you should not cling to false hope, you should not give up either. Legal options are being reviewed, and I’ll let you all know what I learn.
You should all know that at the City Council Finance meeting regarding the school budget, it was learned that the “savings” from killing Horton could be as little as $85,000 if their little plan does not execute perfectly.
Also, the budget gap is no longer $5 Million but now stands at roughly $3.8 Million. It appears that the more work that is done on the budget, the smaller the deficit becomes.
I can almost guarantee you that when all is said and done, the School Department will have a balanced budget on their hands, and Horton will have been killed for nothing.
04.10.06
School Committee - 1, Taxpayers (and Children) - 0
School Committee members Lupino, Palumbo, Iannazzi, and Traficante voted to kill Horton tonight.
Your school could be next, unless you vote these “public servants” “HACKS” out of office in November.
I’ll post more tomorrow after I cool off a bit.
04.09.06
The Road Ahead
There are two very important meetings this week:
School Committee - Monday, April 10th, 7:00pm, Western Hills Middle School
The School Committee will most likely try to remove the “Kill Horton” resolution from the table and attempt to vote it through, despite the fact that the budget has yet to be reviewed by the City Council.
We must persuade the majority of the School Committee to act prudently and in the best interests of the children and leave the “Kill Horton” resolution on the table until the budget has been settled.
Which brings us to…
City Council budget session dealing with the School Department - Tuesday, April 11th, 6:30pm, Cranston HS East auditorium
This is where the City Council reviews the school appropriation recommended by the Mayor ($124.5 Million - a $9 Million increase over last year) and the request from the School Department ($129.7 Million NOT INCLUDING HORTON.)
It’s a good time to remind the City Council that the School Department’s request is 1.) fiscally irresponsible, and 2.) does not act in the best interests of the children.
In order to fund the School Department’s outrageous request, the City Council would have to cut public services by 20%, raid the surplus, or raise our taxes nearly 10%. None of these are going to increase our quality of life.
Call your friends, let them know what is going on and get them to attend these meetings.
We must show up in force and fight for not only our school, but our city as well.
04.07.06
Saturday Night - Horton Community Meeting
All are invited to attend a Horton Community meeting on Saturday, April 8th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Cranston Youth Center (next to the YMCA on Gansett Avenue.) Children are welcome - pizza and beverages will be served.
Former School Committee Chairperson Jackie White will be there to help us refine our plans for keeping Horton alive.
Please make every effort to attend this important meeting.
Thanks!
UPDATE - The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 10th at 7:00pm at Western Hills Middle School.
The School Committee may try to take up the Horton closure resolution again at this meeting.
03.30.06
The Situation Now
On Tuesday, March 28th, Mayor Laffey unveiled the FY2007 city budget, which provided for a 7% (a whopping $9.1 Million) increase in School Department funding to $124.5 Million.
Over the last 6 years, the city appropriation (your tax dollars) to the School Department has increased an incredible 37% (more than $33.6 Million) and yet here we stand, fighting to keep Horton Elementary School open over just $500,000.
Quick question: Has your income increased by 37% over the last 6 years?
Clearly, the taxpayers have done more than their fair share in providing lots of money to the School Department.
And yet, the School Department is asking for even more money - $5.2 Million more to be exact (and that doesn’t include the money to operate Horton.)
There are 5 members on the School Committee who lack the guts to say to the School Department “Enough is enough!”
It is now our responsibility as taxpayers to exercise the voice that most of the School Committee cannot find.
03.26.06
Mark Your Calendars - Part Three
The City Council has announced the FY 2007 Budget Hearing Schedule.
This is your chance as a taxpayer to voice your opinion on how your money should be spent, especially when it comes to funding high-performing neighborhood elementary schools like Horton.
Thanks to Mrs. DeRobbio for the heads-up.
Mark Your Calendars - Part Two
School Committee Meeting
Date: Monday, April 10th
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Western Hills Middle School
At the last School Committee meeting, the ”Kill Horton” resolution was tabled and put off until the April 10th meeting.
However, the City Council will not be taking up the school budget until Tuesday April 11th and Wednesday May 3rd.
It would be premature for the School Committee to consider the ”Kill Horton” resolution before the City Council fully addresses their budget and the impact to the schools is completely understood.
We must fight to keep the “Kill Horton” resolution tabled until after the May 3rd City Council meeting.
Should the School Committee vote without all the facts at hand, they would be violating their fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers.
We need residents from across the city to show up and voice their concerns. Thank you.