Let's put the kids first...and compromise!

In Massachusetts, there are 153 municipalities that will be facing an education funding crisis in FY11 (which begins on July 1, 2010) because the Federal Economic Stimulus plan has not jumped started the economy to replenish the "one-time" influx of cash. Don't get me wrong, its not all the federal government's fault. Officials at both the state and local level have to accept responsibility for using this money to fund on-going operating expenses (mainly to pay for raises to existing staff). And every employee and labor union who refused to engage in a dialogue about wage freezes because this money was available shares in the blame as well.

The willingness at the state and local level to punt the financial issues until next year was a conscious decision by most. It would almost be better if people didn't understand the implications of using this money ($451 million state-wide, according to Stimulus Money For Education Running Out - Team 5 Investigates News Story - WCVB Boston) to fund the contractual raises due to existing staff. The reality, however, is that everyone took the money and agreed to "hope for the best".

Well, the best didn't happen. The federal stimulus money did not generate a large boom to the US economy. The tax increases implemented by the Massachusetts state legislature actually generated LESS revenue. And few towns found (or even tried) a compromise with employees to alter the contractually obligated raises that were negotiated in a better economic climate. So, where does that leave the cities and towns who were relying on the Federal and State governments to be able to replace the stimulus funds with revenue from a revived economy?

Good news travels slow

Its the everyday efforts and good deeds that don't make the news reports or papers. In the last 12 hours I've heard about two communities that have given their time and money to help further the educational opportunities of their kids.

I came home yesterday to see a note in my daughter's kindergarten folder. It was a short newsletter sent out by the Home & School Association (H&SA). The H&SA is a private non-profit group that raises money to supplement the budget of the elementary school in Millis, MA. The newletter gave information about future events and meetings, but it also reported how successful the fall fundraising drive was. Over $10,000 profit was made in the annual holiday gift sale project. This is $10,000 of private money donated to public education in a small (8,000 residents) middle class town.

The second example was found this morning when I noticed a facebook post from my friend Eric Dahlberg in Chelmsford, MA. It was the link to an article about an "adult spelling bee" that was hosted by the Chelmsford Educational Fund. Same type of organization and the HS&A, just different name. While the article didn't tell how much was raised, it was just another example of how, when given the chance, people will help.

I know this is not completely unique. Many (if not all) school communities have some version of a Parent/Teacher Association (PTA). In fact, I can remember doing fundraising for my elementary school in Troy, NY...so that is not new either.

It would just be nice to see more reports about the willingess of people to spend their own money to help our kids get a better education. Too often we just see articles about people who oppose tax increases that will "benefit schools". Funny thing is, most of the time they are talking about the same exact people!

Collaboration should be a first choice

Millis-Hopedale football teamwork working out well - Milford, MA - The Milford Daily News

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Due to a number of people putting the needs and desires of high school kids above all else, two communities can take pride in one high school football team.

Millis HS could not field a team...
Hopedale didn't have a program...

Some school administrators would have given up and both schools would have lost. Instead, a relationship has been established. There were no terrotorial or financial hurdles deemed to large, and no beaurocratic red tape delayed the process.

This is how communities should be utilizing each other...especially when it comes to educating our kids. In order for it to work, though, we need adminstrators and policy makers exploring all options and putting the kids first!

Local schools districts should be left alone

This article inadvertantly speaks to one of the major issues in the Massachusetts education system. Local officials (and residents) have seen their ability to make decisions decrease. The state government should not be mandating how a school should be run. That is the responsibility of the local elected officials and the residents of the community who elect them.

The other major hurdle that forces our local officials into "no-win" situations is the influence of the Massachussets Teachers Association (MTA) on the collective bargaining process. Any school committee member will tell you that it is not the local union representatives that are driving the process, it is the MTA. The involvement of the MTA in the negotiation process of all teacher contracts amounts to a monopoly.

A template contract is used that ensures virtually the same high percentage (6-7% annual) increases for teachers in every district. While the pieces (cost of living, step, lane, longevity) may vary, the aggregate amounts don't vary by much. This forces all school committees to comply, regardless of the economic sustainability, in fear of being uncompetitive to their neighboring districts.

This also takes the decision out of the local teachers' hands. It is the teachers "on the ground" that best understand the realities in a community. It is their co-workers that face being put out of work, and it is their workload that is to be altered. Why are they not the ones with primary influence at the negotiating table?

30 failing schools may face takeover - The Boston Globe

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