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Sunday, June 30, 2013

COBBETT ON THE LEVEL

I hward kast Thursday there was a MASS EXODUS of teachers from COBBETT.The principal has been transferred over to CALLAHAN, The new position's been posted. Then there is this:

Met a teacher today who just transferred out of Cobbett School and whose grandfather had graduated from that school building in 1938. She was saying how you couldn't even look out the windows to tell if day or night there were so bad

Now I hear tell of a parent proclaiming the LEVEL 4 tag. Well they will be getting new windows and a new principal,


Saturday, June 29, 2013

HOW WE HANDLE HOME SCHOOL

Something has been bothering me about the last LSC meeting. You see there was this HOMESCHOOL request of this parent with like FOUR kids. It was withdrawn on the advice of that parent's lawyer. LAWYER? My ears pricked up. If I hadn't heard the JD word I would have thought it was being done to relieve personal overcrowding. Not everyone has access to a BUS.

All that legal lingo got me to a looking. Turns out that is the exact same family that was persecuted last year by being made come before the committee to defend portfolios. Sounds like this year they've lawyered up.

I HOPE THIS SELECTIVE PROSECUTION OF A PERSECUTION DOESN'T COST US MONEY. THE COURTS MAYBE OVERCROWDED BUT THERE AIN'T NO BUSING THERE!!

THE GODS HAVE SPOKEN - CHANGE MAY BE COMING

Stage all but set for Lynn fall elections

You heard it from THOR, three candidates in addition to the six incumbents on the LSC are set to compete for the six slots. If you add in the contested MAYORAL race, potentially over half the LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE could change. When you add in the MARSHALL SCHOOL BOND, a transformation of the direction EDUCATION in Lynn is headed.

No matter how you vote change is guaranteed. Even if you re-elect everyone, they all support the bond so their reaction will be uniform. It's a shame that we have to muddy up the passage of the BOND vote with other politics. Now the question of not only whether or not we need the BOND but who you going to TRUST spending your money?

HOW'S THAT TRACK RECORD LOOKING?

Friday, June 28, 2013

CALLAHAN KEEPS COMING

True to their wotd, s contingency from thr CALLAHAN comminity came to be contentioud about thier cintentions. These parenrs won't be pushed around.

One parent praised GALLO for his position on the importance of keeping fifth grade students in their community school but then pointed out the hypocritical practice of dhipping SPED kids aroung  different places, sometimes every year. Thid drnies them the opportunity to build close friendships wuth thier neighbors. Supposed;y, thid prsctice is ILLEGAL,

I have a feeling they will be back and thr legality pressed.

SILENCE CAN SOMETIMES BE HEARD

Last night's LSC meeting should have been held at a BOWLING ALLEY because you could have heard a pin drop when LYNN SCHOOL COUNCIL CANDIDATE MELISSA ROMANIELLO finished speaking at OPEN MIKE.

She pointed out the dangers of what was her perception of the parenrs angst over not being listened to. The consequences of which could result in half the

LSC BEING REPLACED.

LSC OUT TO LUNCH?

 Ford School student wins national contest

This of course, incredibly great news. What an achievement! The ITEM did a fine job reporting it, Still.....

Why wasn't it announced at last night's LSC meeting? Where was the MAYORAL proclamation? This was a BIG DEAL, something to be extremely proud of. ONE of LPS'S students won a national contest, we are not jost talking a local juried exhibition at the Museum/

Perhaps it was downplayed because the student was from FORD or maybe just because it wasn't some STEM thing. The ARTS are the blooming expression of of education. What part of the flower do you choose for your VASE?

Thursday, June 27, 2013

MORE MISINFORMATION - INTENTIONAL OR INCOMPETENT? EITHER WAY, THE RIGHT ANSWER IS NOT A GOOD ANSWER

Seems like some wrong information was published up front on the LPS website. In what is sure to be a CRITICAL position as principal at COBBETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL the posting and closing dates for the position are the same,

ClipboardPrincipal - Elementary School / Cobbet
 Posted: June 18, 2013Closing: Friday June 18, 2013
List

Now was this meant to discourage outside applicanys so hiring a new principal would insure hiring a new princiPAL? I don't know. The dates on the pdf are fine but not everybody is not going to be discouraged from following through.

Rumors of an IMPENDING Level 4 designation make it all the more important to get a highly qualified person for the job. I hear that most of the teachers over there are abandoning ship. What's that all about? Maybe it's easier to swim before the sinking starts/

THE LOST ART OF DIALOGUE

The big thing I came with from last night's LPOBE meeting was not just that parents want a voice but that they want to feel like they're listen to.It seems like they are held hostage ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.

The rules for public speaking differ between the LYNN CITY COUNCIL and the LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The council gives residents (many of whom are parents) the opportunity to comment various times on most ordinances right before they are finally voted on. I wouldn't swear on the technical procedures but that's what it seems like to me. There is no OPEN MIKE but plenty of chances for your voice to be heard. To actually be listened to, well that's a horse of a different color.

On the other hand the LSC has an OPEN MIKE where they tell you at the beginning of every meeting the OPEN MIKE is not meant as a dialogue only an opportunity for the committee to hear multiple points of view.

TRANSLATION:"WE ARE GOING TO DO WHAT WE WANT!".

How hard is it to have an actual conversation?

True listening is all about sharing ideas and participation in solutions.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

REALIZE, THEN ORGANIZE

Was joined by SW3 and fellow LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE CANDIDATE MELISSA ROMANIELLO at a LYNN PARENTS ORGANIZING FOR A BETTER EDUCATIOM meeting tonight. A lot of issues were discussed but they all seem to comeback to what seems to be the common problem with LPS. It  starts and ends with communication, either poor or lack of it.

For example, one BRICKETT parent complained about the fact that he only received a letter that served as notice for last night's much praised (by LPS) introductory meeting for the NEW KINDERGARTEN CENTER at 2 pm on the actual day of the meeting. Doesn't sound too user friendly to me. Also, despite claims to the contrary, DR. LATHAM'S initial meeting with the parents of KINDERGARTNERS was a little more contentious than we were led to believe from statements made before the LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The role of the SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCILS was also discussed and unless I looked at the handout wrong only one school was in compliance with the law. I could have read it wrong. DARN CATARACTS, have you seen me type lately? Anyway LPS better watch out LIL'LORI is on point about this point.

It seems there is a movement afoot to demand  more,

HOW DID THAT K-CENTER MEETING GO?

I am being sincere here. I would have been there but I was wrestling with a GATOR.(Good to see you BUZZY!) Did you have as many parents as were at the HEARING protesting?

I am sure since it was portrayed that only those crazy HIGHLANDS people who were disgruntled you must have had say 3 to 4 HUNDRED people. Sorry I missed it.

Still, you would have thought you'd had some press coverage. Don't worry, maybe I'll write another LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

WHAT WII WANT, WE REALLY, REALLY WANT

 Cobbet students get insight into mayoral life

Here is a NOVEL concept. How about the MAYOR spend a day in COBBETT  observing what it's like to be a student there. I am sure she would gain a greater appreciation for all of the problems students, teachers, and parents are faced with.

There teachers don't struggle with taking your kids to work, it's taking your work home to your kids.

There instead of votes being razor thin, it's supplies.

There instead of hearing about your election making history, you can learn the history of history in our schools. (wasn't it that exact same grade citywide that the LYNN MUSEUM offered to bus and was snubbed?)

MAYBE YOU COULD DONATE THE WII FOR THEM TO USE IN AN EMPTY CLASSROOM.

sorry, I thought surely they would have one.

WILD ANIMALS HAVE BEEN SPOTTED IN AREA PARKS

 Tech students pitch in to clean up parks

It has been asked that all citizens remain calm. We, as a city can get through this. It seems as if these TIGERS seem to feed on trash that they pick up and graffiti that the paint over. If ever you see one of these TIGERS in your park please follow the following recommended course of action:

APPROACH THEM VERY SLOWLY AND SAT "GOOD JOB!".

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

FROM COBBETT CATASTROPHE TO CALLAHAN

Lynn board: Challenges face Cobbet School successor

I do wonder how my new peeps, the CALLAHAN CREW are going to take this news. First a beloved principal retired with a going away party that has left a taste that has lingered. Despite everyone given assurances of increased opportunities for parents being involved in the decision-making ,no opportunities were available here. In this case a new principal was just imposed on them.

I sure he will be okay, just look at where he came from, COBBETT. I mean that school is rumored you made it all the way up to LEVEL 4. Wow, he must be good. Oops wait, don't this level system run the opposite of the ones in video games. I think in school the higher your level score the worse  it is just like in GOLF. Makes you wonder what CALLAHAN has to look forward to, don't it?

How come when they hire a new principal at the WASHINGTON STEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL them then they had an extensive interview? Sounds like they are going to do it to get the NEW COBBETT principal as well.

Sorry CALLAHAN. wromg place wrong time. Hey, it's not all bad. Aren't you going to be in the movies?

Monday, June 24, 2013

K-CENTER TO BE ON DISPLAY

The new KINDERGARTEN CENTER will have their previously planned OPEN HOUSE tomorrow in the LION'S DEN at LVTI at 7 pm. I am not sure how that's going to work.

I mean unless MOVING VANS came in the middle of the night like when they shuffled the COLTS from BALTIMORE to INDIANAPOLIS, there are still people behind desks up in there. Kind of shortens the walking tour unless you don't mind the exposure of confidential material.. Does make you wonder how secure things are. I hear all you need to get through security is  a BLONDE wig,

Of course they could do a POWER POINT virtual tour but the last time I was in the DEN, POWER POINTS weren't permitted.

CANDIDATE OR CHOMPS? HMMM, WHO WILL IT BE?





I STRONGLY encourage everybody to attend. Me..... well I don;t feel like begging for a ride, especially since the CANDIDATE is still technically one of my son's teacher. At least until tomorrow anyway. Besides I got a date to watch a DANCING GATOR tonight!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

AS MUCH AS IT PAINS ME TO TALK ABOUT MATH, THIS IS WORTH IT

Been so busy with this upcoming KINDERGARTEN CATASTROPHE that I never got aroundto pointing out what a GREAT  little pilot project put forth by DR. LATHAM (who I hear was personally instrumental for this project) - FIRST IN MATH/ I know I wrote  a little blurb about it before but now winners have been announced.

TOP STUDENTS

1). Yeison DeLeon - GR 3 DREWICZ
2). Lindsay Valeri - GR 5 LINCOLN-THOMPSON
3). Jonathan Guzman - GR3  FORD

TOP TEAM

Ms. Breen's 5th  Grade Class - LINCOLN THOMPSON

TOP SCHOOL

Lynn Woods

This controlled competition motivated students to engage in math work on their computers both at school and home. Being an on-line competition students were able to compare their efforts with other students across the country.

CANDIDATE WOTRING CALLS FOR A SOCIAL PRESCENCE

The cornerstone for my campaign to become a member of the LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE is my call for increased communication between the LYNN SCHOOL DEPARTMENT and the people of LYNN whether they be a parent of a student present, past, or  future or maybe just a person who likes to see his taxes put to good use. We, all have a right to know what’s going on with the education of our citizens and be allowed and encouraged to be part of the process.

The modern world has taken us beyond the note left in the backpack as the key method of information dissemination. It is time to boldly step into the Twenty-first century and fully embrace modern technology. It is hypocritical on one hand to embrace the STEM subjects, even to the point of opening up a special elementary school, while at the same time taking a selective blind eye to modern methods of communication.

I am not talking about just the specific and instantaneous advantages that email and mass all calls offer but the overwhelming benefits available with a systematic use of various social media outlets. In the past, opposition born out of fear mongering grown from ignorance and put forth for political gain has denied our students and parents access to information that could have had a positive impact on their lives.

Fear of inappropriate communications and relationships have stifled the development of several key tools in increasing student and parent involvement in the education process.  If anything, the events and/or scandals of recent weeks involving has illustrated that use of such forms or electronic communication actually increases the likelihood of any inappropriateness being exposed.


Therefore the continued policies regarding the use of social media need to be revised and opened up in order such that we reap the benefits of increased positive exposure while at the same time teach the consequences of misuse.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

DOLLAR DAZE III - THE ODDS ARE IN WHO'S FAVOR?

I was wondering since the SPED offices are going to be moved from BROAD to BENNETT What are they going to do with all that old office space? How about giving the WATCH a home? Wait then I wpuld be an easy target since they would always know where to find me and accidents do happen. Paper cuts and all.
I think the CITY actually owns it anyway and they play that special shell game - JFK and Three Card CATHE.

Where does that money show up in the budget?

GETTING DOWN WITH ECC

This Tuesday at 7 pm in the Tiger's Den of LVTI LPS will be hosting an OPEN HOUSE for the NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER. I am sure parents of INCOMING kindergartners were mailed a notice of this after what was originally decided behind closed doors that this new facility would be best for them, Even though LPS had a list of those parents mum was the word on notifying them that a PUBLIC HEARING to express opposition was held.

I would say that opposing views were presented but everybody said pretty much the same thing. That's alright, WE at LPS know what;s best for you.

Here's the letter:

English | Espanol

YOU WILL ASSIMILATE! 

RECLUSIVE INCLUSIVE

GRAPEVINE REPORT: I heard from a COBBETT parent last night that they are losing their principal who is going to be transferred to oversee my newest, bestest buddies at CALLAHAN. That should make them feel good. After losing a much loved leader of the school that the replacement is and old hat whose now old school COBBETT is rumored to be on the verge of being designated a LEVEL 4 school.

From what I hear this person happens to b a long time resident of the CALLAHAN school district. This will give him a distinct advantage. He'll know what parents typically put out in their trash, plus he has a working knowledge of their behavior at FOURTH OF JULY block parties.

Now in the past, DR. LATHAM has vehemently, publicly committed to involving parents in the selection process. Now did that happened cause I missed it. I mean, it could have and I have just been so busy lately with everything going on I just missed it. Oh, I see it was an APPOINTMENT, she ain't got to talk to NOBODY.

And well, CATHE doesn't call like she used to. You know, I just think we have grown apart.

Friday, June 21, 2013

A MEASURE OF SECURITY

I find that the example of SELECTIVE SECURITY that I heard about tonight symptomatic of what's wrong with LPS. how they say one thing and DO another.

First an invited guest to a meeting at ENGLISH, I assume it was a SPED one but I don;t know. She was refused admission to the meeting because she didn't have a PICTURE ID on her.A HIGH-LEVEL SPED DIRECTOR personally vouched for this extremely well-known professional. She had SHOES AND SHIRT ON but she was not about to get SERVICE. No exceptions!

She was understanding of the need for tight security, she just would have like to have known ahead of time what would be required, She  eventually got one, so she got in,

Now I recently went to a meeting at TECH, I never even had to show my library card. Then I har all you need to get into COBBETT is a blonde WIG.

THE FIELD JUST GOT A LITTLE MORE CROWDED!

Looks like I will be joined on the ballot by old BFF MELISSA ROMANIELLO. This could be trouble for many of the INCUMBENTS. I mean she is not as nice as me and she is a whole lot smarter on SPED stuff. Boy if those people from CALLAHAN team up with her iy could be: TROUBLE, TROUBLE, once she wins.

FIRST IT WAS BLOCKING MY E MAIL. THEN....

Does anyone else find it STRANGE that MY two kids have GRADUATION ceremonies at the exact SAME time at TWO different places at the EXACT SAME time, Of course this make sit impossible for even me to attend BOTH of my kid's graduation.

Okay maybe I'm a little paranoid but it does make GOOD COPY.

Last Day of School | June 27, 2013 and Graduation Schedules
lps_icons_0018_marshall_152_139
Middle School Promotional Exercises
Breed Middle SchoolMonday, June 24 | 9 AMGym
Marshall Middle SchoolTuesday, June 25 | 10 AMLynn City Hall
Pickering Middle SchoolTuesday, June 25 | 10 AMEnglish Auditorium

DOES OUR FULL-TIME GRANT WRITER'S PEN HAVE INVISIBLE INK?

At last week's LSC meeting it was told that SARA JACKSON, LPS PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PERSON has a brochure ready to go. That is good news and the kind of update I was asking for of our new (well, not so new now) full time, well paid grant writer .......

WHEN;;;;;;;;

Attorney GALLO went  GONZO on me.I remember him saying the position wasn't FULL-TIME when clearly the position I was talking about was. Apparently he was talking about MS. JACKSON'S (JANET said to call her that if we're NASTY). Sara is providing the kind of info I was asking of the other. I don't think it's too much to ask.

I know as a BOARD member of the HIGHLANDS COALITION I get at least monthly updates on every PIE IN THE SKY our Executive Director goes after.

The citizens of LYNN deserve that from LPS.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE ATTACKS FREE SPEECH?

Well sort of, they did not allow a POWER POINT presentation to be used. I guess they were AFRAID that they might learn something. It seems to me a POWER POINT is just another modality of communication. Some people speak better with pictures, Some people read better with bumps,

I wonder if STEPHEN HAWKING would have been their if he would have been able to use his speaking device. Probably not, electronics don't burn clean. You don't have to have a bon fire of books to practice censureship, you just don't let them in the room.

A STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

There seemed to be a lot of Pooh-poohing on the potential problems of the STAIRS last night. Unfortunately the focus seemed to be on a single child's ability to complete the task. In reality we are going to have a CONGA LINE of five year olds trying to step up. Traffic creates its own problems. Just try and make it across town when school  lets out.

DOLLAR DAZE III - LPS BUDGET UN-CODE-ED

Now I seemed to recall $580,000 for the forming the KINDERGARTEN CENTER being estimated. Then a budget for next year comes out around $1,1 Million dollars which doesn't include the $270,000 for BUSING the kids to class.

Now I got the impression last night at the HEARING that since HERR DONOVAN says that the bathrooms are UP TO CODE that probably nothing much will be done to them. That begs the question what is going to be done with all that money budgeted for making the KINDERGARTEN CENTER. Must be for FASHION alterations because it looks like somebody's packet is about to get PADDED.

ANYWAY, I WOULDN'T WALK BAREFOOT ON THOSE FLOORS!

BUSES AND BALLOT BOXES

I feel bad. I never got any of them a gift. I'm talking about RICK, CHARLIE, PATTI, JOHN, and the MAYOR who all voted for the KINDERGARTEN CENTER again. You see there are going to be so many problems busing those kids and the traffic nightmares it will cause I predict there will be a parental uproar. And you know the funny thing about parents is that they VOTE.

Whatever kinks they are able to work out, it will be after the election. I have a feeling that I am not the only new CANDIDATE that should be grateful.

DONNA DEAR, YOU WERE DUPED

It was a masterful job of political combat. You got to give them credit. I mean it was an age old strategy, "DIVIDE AND CONQUER". It has worked in the past and it sure as heck worked last night. They were success in separating thus out to be a FORD problem. It's not it's an age-old problem, a 5 year old problem.

First  DONNA, let me show you how you were snookered. The motion you  WITHDREW WITHOUT prejudice was NOT for FORD to OPT-OUT the plan, but for the whole plan to be reconsidered. By convincing you to frame your new motion in such a way you fell right into their hands. OPTING OUT was not really an option. There is a serious overcrowding problem at FORD and the ground is too rocky to bury your head and pretend it doesn't exist. No this way they were able to frame the FORD parents as a bunch of RABBLE-ROUSERS. They made it look like the parents were mostly saying the problem doesn't exist.

I can't believe the following quote was made:

Committee member Rick Starbard said school officials have “no other options” in the face of overcrowded classrooms except to send kindergartners to the Tech annex and free up classroom space in the three schools

Really? That just doesn't sound too logical. The problem, RICK, that everyone would agree is that we have too few classrooms. Somebody has to go somewhere, there is NO argument there. By moving older kids you could get the same number of classrooms by moving less kids. It would be CHEAPER to bus them and I think there is a way you can CUT out busing altogether. My plan would be to rent space for all three schools for this year and FULLY open FALLON and re-district next year because now you have a full year to plan for it. RICK must have been reading some comic book where the characters were 5 year-old superheroes. To think all of our problems can be solved by the littlest ones is ludicrous. Hey! I just thought, following that line of reasoning there has got to be a disabled superhero coming to theaters soon.





Wednesday, June 19, 2013

GRADUATION GOWNS AND HAZ-MAT SUITS

You know, I just happened to catch a repeat, I think it was last night, of the CITY VOICE on LynnCAM. Anyway TIM PHELAN was the guest and I swear it sounded like he was reading from a copy of the WATCH when he was talking about the building site for the new MARSHALL.

There was talk about CONTAMINATION  concerns and track troubles. Not a good sign. Everyone was pooh-poohing me when I began striking those chords from the beginning. With the discovery of a TANK of 24,000 gallons of some liquid on the property, the drum beat just got louder.

Why does it not surprise me that the same people who made this decision are the ones who want to put our babies in an old warehouse?

Really, I wished I got paid for telling you, "I told you so!"

DOLLAR DAZE III - THE COST OF COMPLIANCE

Think about this! Why do we need a COMPLIANCE OFFICER? We are paying $110,000 for this position. Why? Because the STATE feels our administrators aren't capable of doing their job? I mean our salary structure rewards IGNORANCE pretty well.

Well, what are we getting for our money? Well it turns out that the TRANSLATION issue we were supposedly over and above compliance on is probably going to cost an additional $100K. The legal services line in the SPED budget is increasing about $10K this year and in the last executive session it said on the agenda they would be discussing litigation strategy. What's that all about?

Anyway, I'm sure I am missing some things but do we really need any more examples to reach a conclusion?

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

DOLLAR DAZE III - SLIPPERY SEES AS SLIPPERY DOES

I guess it makes the budget more manageable and  am sure it's COMFORTING TO KNOW YOU GOT SOME MAD MONEY STASHED IN THE BUDGET FOR OTHER THINGS. Kind of like a rainy day fund with a sunny forecast.

I am talking about the fact that the same amount, $64, 662, is budgeted for every teaching position. Only thing is.....

MOST TEACHER PROBABLY DON'T GET THAT MUCH. You see there's plenty of wiggle here because they're all not the same size rooms.

You see, you gotta budget like everybody gets the goods in vase they do, you know that BUMPING AND BIDDING BUSINESS What do you think happens with the difference between what you bidget and what you pay?

BEATS ME?

True transparency is more than seeing where money goes, it's seeing where it went.

I'M NOT FINE WITH BEING OVERDUE




It is great to see the importance of reading stressed, HARRINGTON is lucky to have a principal that sees that and the resources to make it happen. You know since it was a LEVEL 4 school there has been extra state money to spread around.  The cornerstone of that school has to be the LIBRARY.''NOW earlier this year, DR. LATHAM promised to try and get all our LEVEL 4 schools the same services as our very successful TURNAROUND schools,

Money was spent and the same educational consulting firm, SCHOOLWORKS, that the state paid for last year for our LEVEL 4 schools, GROUPS did this year for our LEVEL 3 ones. I even got to sit in on a FOCUS group. Funny though,  I hear CENTERBOARD is giving away a ton of books but I haven't heard of any libraries being opemed up.

WOTRING'S NOMINATION PAPERS TO BE CHALLENGED

In an unusual move Wotring is challenging his own NOMINATION papers for LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE. When reached for comment on this breaking story WOTRING said the following,

"I want to be known as a candidate who demands integrity through accountability. Quite frankly, I grew suspicious when the so-called "nomination papers" were pulled on APRIL FOOL;S DAY. I said to myself, 'Stan must be up to something'. Well after coming to that conclusion, I just couldn't stand by and let Lynn voters be played for a fool."

STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS GROUND-BREAKING INVESTIGATION!

Monday, June 17, 2013

DOLLAR DAZE III -WE'RE PAYING FOR A BUSLOAD OF TROUBLE

Somebody help me get this straight. Now everybody knows we got problems with class size. No argument there. To solve it they are planning on busing 7 busloads of 5 yr. old's all the way across town.....

WHILE....

we have a whole school at FALLON with a budget of $923,000 ($50 K just to heat it with gas) maybe 6 classrooms serving I'm sure a small number of kids who probably all get bused from somewhere else.

We seriously need to look at district wide re-zoning so that only the most medically fragile get bused.

I BELIEVE THE COMMUNITY IS THE STRONGEST THERAPEUTIC TOOL!

Don't listen to me, I'm just a parent who;s been there.

CATHE'S CURSE

I knew she was TROUBLE when she walked in.....
Waiving a book of SPED laws and she's from CALLAHAN....

TROUBLE,
TROUBLE

DOLLAR DAZE III - THE ART OF INCREASING

 have to admit there is an increase in next year's budget I was glad to see, sort of. That would be in the FINE ARTS department. It seems their budget increased almost $70,000 this year and well as a POET I may not be TOTALLY objective, what made mt heart jump was that salaries remained level while.......

  the money looks like it's going to where the kids are.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

DOLLAR DAZE III - TALK JUST GOT CHEAPER

Surely this is covered by the big additions in other lines...

BUT....

$7000 was budgeted last year for IEP translation. this year - 0.

SPED STUDENT SHUFFLE

Listened tp a parent complain at OPEN MIKE about HOW the SPECIAL ED kids' classrooms are shuffled around taking those kids away from their community school. Of course, I am not a lawyer and I don't know the law but she was a MOTHER waving a SPED law book. All I know is that if I was LPS I would be nervous.

LYNN, LYNN CITY OF CRIMSON

DR/ LATHAM announced at Thursday night's LSC meeting that of the 4 students on the North Shore who got accepted into HARVARD/ One from ENGLISH, one from CLASSICAL, and one from ST. MARY'S.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

DOLL.AR DAZE III - WANT TO WASTE

Kennedy: Lynn kindergarten busing plan likely to hold

Something needs to be done to reduce crowding but it ain't this. It's a pretty well known fact that JUDY has a pretty definitive track record on WASTE MANAGEMENT. look at how she handled the recent rodent invasion.

OH. she didn't. Not really. Some trash taxes were levied bit the landlords and the rats didn't pay those.

She seems to have a history on imposing solutions on the easiest targets. Those five year old's don't vote, their parents will have a hard tome getting organized to fight it, and the overcrowding problem will APPEAR to be solved when possibly MASSES of parents REFUSE to send their kids on the bus since kindergarten is not MANDATORY.

OF COURSE.....

that could mean scores of first graders woefully unprepared which will translate to lower MCAS scores down the road and we all know how the world revolves around those.

Why are we spending $270,000 busing babies when we have kids more than 5 X'S grades ahead who could walk someplace for FREE!

DON'T WORRY THOUGH OL'JFK HAS THE ANSWER -
JUST FOR NOW

Maybe we should start calling her JFN!

Friday, June 14, 2013

PENSION TENSION

I hear the the retiring principal
was treated out of hand
at that little school
they call CALLAHAN..

A man much admired,
on the verge of being fired.
Now the parents will have their say,
in the end the super will pay.

INGALLS MESMERIZE CROWD

Fans of tonight's NAVIGATOR game were treated to the SWEET sounds of the INGALLS SCHOOL chorus. In the bottom of the 7th we got to hear them.sing  GOD BLESS AMERICA and TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME. They returned in the 8th to sing an acopella version of SWEET CAROLINE.

OUT-DATED

Somebody please help me out here. I thought I remembered them setting a meeting date for the BOND vote for JUNE 30th . I was there but who knows? Somebody must.

All of this letter writing has got me confused.

BAGS, HOLDINGS, AND A TANK

We learned last night that we DON'T even have access to all of the land necessary yet for the NEW MARSHALL. Yeah the big COMMERCIAL plot has been taken by IMMINENT DOMAIN. Papers have been signed, MONEY has changed hands (and we've been left holding the tank)......

HOWEVER......

there are two residences out there that well we don't got yet. I'm sure we will by the BOND vote. I'm sure they will.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS SOMEBODY GOT PAID!

PARENTS ON THE AGENDA

http://www.lynnschools.org/documents/district/school_committee/2013_notices/school_committee_june_19_2013_7pm.pdf

THE CALVARY COMES FROM CALLAHAN

This sounds like the title to an old JOHN WAYNE movie or some spaghetti western. By using those reference you know that I am not just a poor, disabled poet - I'm old too.

Here I was, the meeting room was semi-packed. Of course I had no trouble getting my customary seat though. SMILE FOR THE CAMERA!

Coming over the ridge from yonder there, waving rolled up budget sheets were at least half a dozen angry mamas making up a posse that meant business. I believe if LPS knows what''s good for them they'll circle the wagons or at least put the tables up front in an oval.

At OPEN-MIKE they covered issues from class size to SPED LAW. One mama was packin a copy of some SPED LAW book. I was a waitin for her to take DR. Latham out in the hall for a legal duel. You know, REGULATIONS at thirty paces.

They also were a little upset about their retiring principal being done wrong by LATHAM. He was one of the ones who didn't get a cut from the stolen ( Okay misappropriated but I had a professor warn me once about mixed metaphors). They're angry and I think they're gonna show it!

 Looks like my little band of OUTLAWS just got a few more recruits

MAMA, DON'T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO BE COWBOYS.....

BE ONE YOURSELF!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

LPS IN THE TANK FOR MARSHALL

I've seen it written that this NEW Marshall(with a WOTRING WING) won't be another CLASSICAL Comforting words....

BUT.....

not ALL words are true, Take for example the disclosure tonight that the newly acquired property surprisingly came with 25,000 gallons pf some liquid but I guess they weren't ready to tell us just what it is just yet.

Herr Donovan (don't mind me, just practicing a little freshman German, you don;t use it you lose it you know) appeared to me that we were surprised it was there. I guess maybe they had placed a rug over that spot..

Don't worry, it;s probably not leaking whatever it is, No ut looks like all 25.000 gallons are there. That must have been some rug huh.

I mean the disposal cost is sort of reasonable. They are guesstimating about $120,000. That amount probably varies depending on what the liquid actually is, You could get a few books for that.

DOLLAR DAZE III - SHORT DOLLARS

There is going to be an EXECUTIVE SESSION tonight where they are supposed to suggest bargaining strategies in regards to principals raises. a non-union contract issue.Since they probably won't save me a seat, I thought it best I offer up my opinion here.

THEY CAN'T HAVE ONE!

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for principals being well paid. They have direct contact with our kids and their office is in the same building as where our kids are....

BUT.....

didn't a bunch of princiPALS get raises last year from some CIRCUIT BREAKER SPOILS? Oh that's right they weren't exactly raises, they were structural elevations. I believe our superintendent's was about 25K. I believe all of this activity has led or contributed  to some sort of renegotiation with the TEACHER;S UNION (that probably also has to do with increased demands imposed on them).

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

DOLLAR DAZE III - OUT OF PLACE, OUT OF MIND BUT STILL IN THE POCKET

Looks like our out of district placement are up about $700.000 this year. I don'y lnpw the number of students served but I would think any increase is just a continued reflection of somebody's failure to make the services available,

We should just do what we need to do unless we like employing bus drivers. In that case, I could use a ride to the grocery store.

On a good note, our OUT OF DISTRICT tutoring costs remained level at 72K. Is this like FOREIGN EXCHANGE?


DOLLAR DAZE III - RISE TO THE OCCASION OR WAS IT AN OCCASION TO RAISE

I admit I was confused. I mean it's common knowledge that I am no darn good in MATH. You see us people from back in the mountains, I mean they have to pipe in the sunshine for goodness sake how can you expect for us to deal with these numbers and keep our shoes on? A fella just gets darn near tuckrtrd out just repeating all of those syllables so how we gonna keep track of all that money?

You see I seem to recollect that not too dad-gum long ago there were all these raises to certain positions you see, one in particular comes to mind. I believe somebody got a 25K dollar raise and I believe some sekect princiPALS got smaller but significant ones. For the life of me I can't find evidence of them.

That's because I think those MATH people are just plumb smarter than me, You see by backdating structural changes to the positions compensation formula, them smarty pants caused an elevation that did show up as happening because it already happened. It required an almost dogmatic belief. You must have faith, my son!

Since we back dated raises with a vote of the committee, I wonder if they made revisions to last year's posted budget?

LET'S THINK ABOUT LEAVING IT TO THE LAWYERS

Here is some food for thought! You see if the vote that sparked the petition drive to force a PUBLIC HEARING was ILLEGAL in the first place.

THEN......

it would seem to me that the legitimacy of the PUBLIC HEARING would be in SERIOUS question because then there would have been no technical vote taken.....

SO....

therefore NO reconsideration vote could be taken because it never happened in the first place Follow that?

Phew! This KINDERGARTEN stuff sure ain't CHILD'S play..

A GAME OF SHADOWS

What if after all of the trouble of causing a public hearing to be held, no vote for reconsideration of the original vote to form the kindergarten center is taken? The city charter only mandates a hearing be held, not a vote be taken. What is required is final action which could be translated as NO ACTION.

If that were to happen , then the original plan would go forth right? Yeah I guess so.....

UNLESS.....

I was right all along and the ORIGINAL vote was an ILLEGAL vote because of improper posting and therefore that vote would be null and VOID. So to proceed with the KINDERGARTEN CENTER would be illegal putting LPS at serious risk of being fined by the ATTORNEY GENERAL

So if I'm wrong and they always say I am, why even have the vote? Let us say our piece because your mandated to do so but then forget about it because we all know you are not going to change your mind. Just let the first vote stand and we'll just ask for a ruling from the AG.

Works for me!

DO I THINK NOW THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE A GOOD IDEA?

It had to happen. I know some of you out ther have been waiting for mme to come around to your way of thinking. Well you don't have to wait any longer. After talking with one if the unpaid consultants in my office, I have done a 180 in my thinking on charter schools, a little MORE than 180 in fact..

Now I think we should expand the business model int other areas of public government. You see I want to start my own semi-private police force with the rest of you picking up the tab. You see I need protection. There are people out there who don't like me. Hey, if rich people get bodyguards and the President has his SECRET SERVICE why can't I?

I encourage other entrepreneural types out there to form their own businesses. I hear the FIRE DEPARTMENT could use a little competition. Why should the MAYOR get to hire all the fireman?

Remember I did say MORE than 180, in fact it was 360. That kind of brings me back to my original position,

HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW?

DOLLAR DAZE III - THE LANGUAGE OF COMPLIANCE

Remember how we were told we were compliant with translation and all and that the PLEA DEAL was like an unnecessary formality? Then I found that $97,000 increase in CONTRACTED TRANSLATION services. Now I've found about a $150,000 in the ELL budget. Of course if I read things right we are talking a big uptick in salary costs. You see non-salary costs actually DROPPED $50 K.

DOESN'T SOUND LIKE ABOVE AND BEYOND COMPLIANCE LIKE WE WERE TOLD. DOES IT?

HAS PHELAN FOUND A NEW FRIEND IN ME?

Phelan letter on Marshall vote rankles mayor

Tim, Tim, Tim, you should have came to ME before getting the MAYOR all upset. That is MY job. You see don;t let them kid you, you are right to have questions about the moving of the BOND vote.

I know I have needled you a little in the past but you see it's the poet in me, I couldn't resist. We did have this little disagreement over FACEBOOK  and well I went in a PHONETIC FRENZY. Alliteration is a poet's occupational hazard for us poets.

First lets talk about the SIZE of the BOND. Originally I was reporting we were going to have to borrow the whole amount. But the waters were muddied at the LSC meetings and they kept stressing that it was going to be pay as you go and we were at least given the PERCEPTION that we would not have to put the WHOLE amount at RISK. I began to doubt myself I mean, if you listen to them I have a history of being wrong.

I guess I'm better at HISTORY than MATH, especially the new math and their fancy way of figuring.

Now I have been screaming before that the CITY COUNCIL should have some sort of liaison in the audience at the LSC meeting since the MAYOR chairs the meetings given her an unfair advantage. I mean, half of the CITY'S budget is LPS'S spending. It just seems to me that council would want to know how the money is being spent.

The date was set at the last LSC meeting. A vote was taken. Now I see in the paper JOHN FORD is trying to give the MAYOR wiggle room by saying the language was about INTENTION. Really, do you think Mr, FORD is an expert on language? That my friend is a FOUL idea. Roll the video tape.

You are RIGHT to call for a QUICK BOND vote for a couple, three reasons. You see by delaying the vote it gives me more time to pick apart the fiscal irregularities; there is that 90 day window after the end of the feasibility study and by pushing the date of the vote back ,well that doesn't give you a chance to scramble to find alternative funding if you get a NO vote; and this later date will mean a HIGHER voter turnout which could make it problematic to get the thing passed.

Looks like I have to side with you on this one TIMMY BOY but I'm not sure too many people want me on their side. I mean you can't trust me because I fight for the truth all the time which is not always their version, you know FACTS 2.0.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

DOLLAR DAZE III - LIL'LORI LOOKS AT THE LOWDOWN IN THE SALARY SHOWDOWN

Lori DAmico
I saw that too! In addition to some of those 6 figure administrator salaries, how about we cut back on the endless secretarial positions and the exorbitant salaries that come along with them. Do we really need 8 secretaries working for the special education department, each making over $53,000 per year? Or 5 secretaries and a switchboard operator working for the personnel office each making about $52,000? Or 4 secretaries for the superintendent and 2 deputies, each making almost $65,000? And let's not forget the secretary for the school committee who makes more than some principals at almost $98,000. It is absolute madness!!
ReplyDelete

DOLLAR DAZE III - WHERE HAVE ALL THE HOMELESS GONE?

GREAT NEWS EVERYBODY! - Evidently we can close all the HOMELESS SHELTERS and sell off the furniture at MY BROTHER'S TABLE because there is NO more need. I mean it must be so because LPS'S HOMELESS SUPPORT SPECIALIST is not funded in this year's budget. Actually it wasn't paid for by us last year but we did have $30,000 in grant money. NO MORE!

Someone better tell those hundreds of kids who are sleeping\g in somebody else's beds, we no longer have a problem. I hope all of those six figure administrators are resting comfortably.

When I was gathering signatures for my NOMINATION papers, I had a man sleeping on a bench at a bus stop, "Don't forget the HOMELESS!".

I haven't but somebody has.

DOLLAR DAZE III - TALK AIN'T CHEAP

For all the tearful testimony that has been given about how LPS had always went above and beyond what was required by the state in regards to translation , there are some funny numbers in the FY14 budget. We've been led to believe by CERTAIN administrators that we have been doing nothing wrong or in this case everything right. Now mind you we signed a PLEA deal. Makes you wonder why, huh?

I don;t know if this is part of the deal maybe some sort of corrective action. I don't know they don't tell me these things. Apparently they don't tell a lot of people a lot of things, Well it looks like net year they will be not telling more people in their native language,

You see on the PARENT INFORMATION page of this years budget, the CONTRACTED TRANSLATION services went up from $2500 to $90,000.

NOW, WHO YOU GONNA BELIEVE? MY MONEY IS ON LIL'LORI.

LOOKS LIKE SO IS LPS'S.

LIFE'S LESSONS A SLAM DUNK FOR SOME BREED STUDENTS

 Former NBA player speaks to Breed students on perils of drug use

We are not talking about taking some outside shot here. The dangers of drug and alcohol were highlighted by someone the kids can relate to, even look up to who has been down and out due to the wicked clutches of addiction. Perspective becomes lost and suddenly the things that used to be important to you are discarded. Self control is sacrificed for the sake of getting HIGH/. Hopefully this personal and powerful testimony can lead to prevention.

Hopefully other schools had the opportunity to witness this testimony. The WATCH would like to THANK all those responsible for presenting and coordinating this speaker.

Monday, June 10, 2013

TAKEN FOR A RIDE

I was in a SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL meeting at FORD SCHOOL this morning where DR, LATHAM was gracious enough to attend to explain the logic behind the plans for the KINDERGARTEN CENTER. I think it was to make us feel better. It did not work for me.

Let's start with the fact that she came with a posse. She was accompanied by DAVE HEGAN, TRANSPORTATION CZAR and PARENT INFORMATION PERSON (one head, two hats) and MS. MAHONEY, an ASST. DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING. Pretty intimidating duo

I wonder if they they were on the traveling squad when the other two schools, BRICKETT and TRACY? Well I guess the DOC agrees with me FORD is special. The joke was on her cause she walked into a packed room of COUNCIL MEMBERS. Actually it looked more packed than it was. Small room, chairs in a row.

One of the major concerns some parents gave is the fact that there aren't seat belts on the buses, I don't know, mist be true MR. HEGAN seemed to defend the SAFETY of the belt-less buses. Citing extensive research, he says NEW buses are built in such a way that he said he wiuld feel safer in a bus without belts than ride in some of the vans with a seat belt.

REALLY?\

OPEN MOUTH, INSERT FOOT.

DOLLAR DAZE III - NEW KINDERGARTEN CONFIGURATION TO CREATE NEW JOBS

The number of teachers and paras won't change no matter where our little ones hang their backpacks/ However WE are going to ADD to the payroll of LPS thanks to the COMMERCIAL STREET CATASTROPHE. Seven NEW buses mean 5 NEW drivers and 7 NEW monitors. Not to mention a NEW princiPAL and his or her new secretary.

Is this the example of fiscal responsibility we want to show going in the MARSHALL BOND vote whenever that be?

DOLLAR DAZE III - PET PROJECT ALMOST DOUBLES TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR LPS

According to the proposed FY14 school budget, regular education transportation costs are expected to go from $353,400 to $610,400.

You see these numbers! That's increase is all so we can bus 7 busloads of 5 year olds across town. Yes we are overcrowded but there is a CHEAPER solution.

You see, that is a little fiscal sleight of hand to make it harder to determine the SIMPLE COST PER STUDENT of this pet plan.


A SHELL BY ANY OTHER NAME

I tried to be good, honest I did. I was at a SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL meeting at FORD SCHOOL. It was a special meeting called because DR. LATHAM had graciously accepted an invitation to the council to talk about the plans for the new KINDERGARTEN CENTER on COMMERCIAL STREET. This meeting was kind of like talking about talking about stabling a horse after leaving the barn door open.

Now I did make a comment about how the addition of the new princiPAL and clerical staff would be a NEW cost going on perpetuity. Makes it hard to get an accurate assessment of the ACTUAL cost. Dare I say DECEPTIVE? I wanted to quit, I really did.

I made my DECLARATIVE statement and in a most non-argumentative way. My Mama raised me to respect my elders but then again she didn't raise no FOOL (It;s just a coincidence I pulled my NOMINATION papers on APRIL FOOL'S DAY). You see it's really hard to find the ACTUAL cost because this expense comes from that line and this expense comes from that line. For eample it will cost $270,000 to bus these KIDS but you don't know that is what you see because it's coming out of the TRANSPORTATION line.

How about a line that gives you the total COST PER STUDENT? Follow the money.

I ended up saying, "IT'S ALL A SHELL GAME!".

DR. LATHAM quickly assured me that it was not even stating that she took offense at the implication,

Now you know me, it was never my intention to OFFEND ANYONE! Wait a minute, was that lightening striking just now?

Sunday, June 9, 2013

DID THE MAYOR LIE OR WAS SHE JUST WRONG?

Now i was at the MAYOR'S STATE OF THE CITY address flanked as always by my campaign manager SW3 (he started getting antsy because he had another 3:30 gig - divided loyalty)/ Anyway that woman who surely is smarter and better at MATH than me. More than that I think she has MAGICAL powers.

Wait, I;m not joking. She said the planned relocation of LPS's administration offices on COMMERCIAL STREET, combining them with the SPED offices currently in yet another building on BROAD STREET was now budgeted to cost about $400,000. I'm probably am wrong but I got the impression she was acting like this was a new figure. Funny look at the figure we were given a little over three months ago.

$1.2 million in renovations to the former Ford School annex building on Bennett Street. The city is renovating the building as administration space to free up space for classrooms in the current administration building at 90 Commercial St. Donovan said the annex renovations will be done this summer.

http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2013/05/28/news/news81.txt


I don't know why the MAYOR wouldn't want to take credit for making $800,000 disappear. That is SOME talent. Still though it does make you wonder why it was originally quoted THREE times higher. We were given a pep talk along with a doom and gloom forecast if we don't get behind the BOND vote.

I don't  know about you BUT I got some major TRUST issues here!.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

JAMMIN JUDY SWEETLY SERENADES

LEFTY KENNEDY came of the corner office to blaze the first strike of tonight;s OPENING GAME of the 2013 season for the NORTH SHORE NAVIGATORS, Showing off the range of her many talents she belted out a rousing rendition of the STAR SPANGLED BANNER. Proving yet again there is more to her than just being another pretty smaty CHAIRPERSON OF YHE LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The LYNN ENGLISH JROTC did a stand-out job with the colors as always. Since the NAVS are involved, CHOMPS has made it clear I am to use no biting remarks!

DOLLAR DAZE III - SLASHES TO SPED TO SAVE A SINKING SHIP?

Look at the SPED page of the budget. Now spending less money is NICE. Spending SMART is nicer. We are cutting 5 positions and spending  $300,000 less after some fancy re-figuring by DR. LATHAM on an appeal last year, I believe on an appeal of the states ruling that our program deserved LEVEL 4 STATUS.

Suddenly thanks to LATHAM'S fancy figuring, we jumped all the way up to LEVEL 2. Lucky or not, I want her to do my taxes. Oh I forgot, I am too poor to pay any. Anyway, like I have always said - she is one smart lady.

I do wonder though why someone would make such cuts after such a close call......

UNLESS....

the plan is to actually go  to LEVEL 4 thus triggering massive amounts of aid.

Maybe I'm wrong, I do wish I was better in math though!

DOLLAR DAZE III - LIL'LORI LOOKS AT THE BUDGET


Hello Everyone, 

I was quickly glancing over the proposed budget and I found it quite disturbing that the total budget has increased about $12.7 million since FY 2011 and salaries have increased about $12.5 million.  Therefore, it appears that almost the total increase in the budget from FY 2011 to FY 2014 will be going to salaries.  Yet there was only an increase of $151,000 for non-salary items since FY 2011.  Why is an increase of $12.5 and 80% of the budget going toward salaries?  Just what exactly are we getting for all this money that is being spent on salaries, many of which are exorbitant?  Our schools certainly are not improving!  In fact, since 2010, only one school (Hood) has improved from a level 3 to a level 2.   
  • Four schools (English, Fecteau Leary, Lynn Woods, Washington) have dropped from level 1 to level 3
  • Two schools (Sisson and Tracy) have dropped from level 1 to level 2
  • One school (Pickering) has dropped from level 2 to level 3
That is five schools that have dropped to level 3 status, in addition to the other seven schools that have been and still are level 3.  50% of our schools are level 3, not to mention the two level 4 schools we also have.

Again, what exactly are we getting for all the money that is being spent on salaries?  I think it's about time all of you start focusing on the academic and physical condition of our schools and start spending some of the $119 million on resources that will have a direct positive impact on the students.  Remember the students?  They are the ones who are forced to attend these under-performing, over-crowded and deteriorated schools.

Thank you


Lori D'Amico

Friday, June 7, 2013

DOLLAR DAZE III - THE PRICE OF A PERPETUAL DEADBEAT

Now I know about BILLS, I have my PhD in POOR. So it seems to me a little funny that you know a year in advance that you need a definitive amount in advance to pay for a year in advance for a bill you didn't pay last year. It gets even more sketchy when you find out you budgeted the EXACT same amount.

$59,835 in next and  years budget or was that now and then? Anyway if you paid late last year why didn't you pay it off, instead it looks like case of REVOLVING credit. Kind of makes you wonder what somebody put on the card.

Then again them saying something about regular late fees over a disputed utility bill. You would think a well placed phone call would have resolved it bu now. Can you think what your child;s class could do with an extra $60K>

DOLLAR DAZE III - KINDERGARTEN KASH

Remember when we were all told in that fateful LSC meeting that the KINDERGARTEN KOSTS were going to be $580,000 and the office relocation costs to BENNETT STREET were going to be another $1.4 million dollars?

Well hold on to your wallets my friends, the budget for JUST the new KINDER CENTER has already jumped to $1, 166,000 in next year's budget and ain't one bus rolled out of park. To be fair, not all of that is SALARY. We do have about $10,000 in non-salary costs.

I do have some questions about the accuracy of what we're seeing. I;d say ask the ACCOUNTANTS but it turns out they are people who are too smart to be lawyers, You see, it's awfully hard to tell the ACTUAL costs because the TRANSPORTATION COSTS  come from another line on another page.

My fingers are not nimble enough to tabulate and calculate these mystical dollar details. I just have a run of the mill machine anyway. I think you would need a PLOTTING calculator.

DOLLAR DAZE III - BUDGET BALLISTICS BEGIN

New Item Lynn School Budget Download (PDF)
FY14 All Schools Budget (Proposed)

With an increased budget this year, given that we hope yo build a new middle school and the state of most of the others if they weren't schools might come porilously close yo being CONDEMED that about 2/3 of that increase will go to salaries.

WHAT ABOUT BRICKS AND BOOKS?

THROUGH THE CRACKS

Dear Ms.Tassinani,

I do understand and appreciate the limited parameters of the scope of your departments jurisdiction. It is true that the Lynn Public Schools isn't an elected body and as such may operate outside the scope of your authority.

However, I would like to point out that the Lynn School Committee who along with the Mayor of Lynn, who are all elected officials have some control over the school department and by allowing my inability to communicate via e mail with anyone in the Lynn Public School system gives those same committee members gives them an unfair advantage over me in regards to the election process. 

Hopefully you will reconsider your intentions to not investigate. All I ask is a fair and equal chance to be elected.

Sincerely,

Stanley H. Wotring, Jr.
781 715-5614


From: Election@sec.state.ma.us
To: stanleywotring@msn.com
Subject: FW: Potential Election Violation
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 17:30:21 +0000

Dear Mr. Wotrin-

Unfortunately, this Office is unable to assist you with regard to email access to the Lynn Public Schools.  The authority of this Office is limited to investigating complaints of violations of election laws by election officials and ordering local election officials to comply with the law in appropriate cases where there is pattern of conduct, or a standard, practice or procedure, of a local official is contrary to election laws.  See G. L. c. 56, § 60 (2010 ed.); see also 950 C.M.R. § 56.02 (defining complaint pursuant to G. L. c. 56, § 60). Accordingly, as you have not alleged a violation of an election law by an election official, we are unable to investigate the issue that you raise.

Michelle Tassinari
Director/Legal Counsel

LATHAM LIFTED BY GRAD'S INNER STRENGTH

Fecteau-Leary graduates stand tall

I am the first to admit I am confused about how to treat to this story. On the one hand I am anxious to give high both DR. LATHAM and the MAYOR high marks on their praise of a real accomplishment for these graduates. A DIPLOMA is an achievement even if it is a BLACK SHEEPSKIN

See though here is where the hypocrisy begins. By calling attention to it by singling it out is kind of like a double edged sword. It also lessens its value by pointing  out the traveled a different road to get there. Sure the road was more difficult but most peoplr will just remember it was different.

I was at a LSC meeting last week where the changes to the academic curriculum at LVTI were touted. It was said that they will someday be considered equally when thinking of the other high schools on LYNN" ENGLISH. CLASSICAL, and ST. MARY'S.

Did I hear that right? ST. MARY'S. Yea, it wasn't really wrong to mention that private school but I was taken a little aback by the complete ignoring of FACTEAU-LEARY. It does make one question the sincerity of everyone's praise.

What ya gonna do cause you can't win..



Thursday, June 6, 2013

SHORT TIMIN STAN

Sorry I missed tonight's LSC meeting, parent stuff to do. I assumed they went ahead and passes the budget without me. Now they've talked about holding the PUBLIC HEARING in fourteen days the minimum time. I could be wrong. We all know I have been before

Call me crazy, paranoid even/ Still I think this seems like a shorter  time than the past couple a years.. Now I am sure that it was an accident because I am sure that all like my analysis even if it's somewhat fictional of the annual budget, I mean if there ia nothing to  hide.

I am sure someone out there will check the days just to point out my paranoia. Who said that/

NICELY DONE NAVS

Just back from LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOLS and the NORTH SHOE NAVIGATORS combined EDUCATIONAL EVENT. It was a "field trip" to Frasier's FIELD OF DREAMS. What a great time was had!

From what I hear the NAVS commitment to education goes beyond the diamond. Word has it the Fifth Grade at DREWICZ just got books from CENTERBOARD, distributed by NAVS players just befure boarding their bus for the road trip to the field. That's what I love about this league is their commitment to education. It's a natural fit because the players are all college kids themselves. It was extra nice to see graduates of LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOLS between the foul lines.

Tje stadium was full with about 2000 Fifth graders from all over the city. The NATIONAL ANTHEM was beautifully sung by my daughter, Quoting a friend of mine, "She has the voice of an angel". Hey if you are expecting me to be objective, you are reading the wrong blog, my friend.

Still there was another ROCK STAR at the park, Fans all throughout the park were screaming CHOMPS'S name. He danced, he posed for pictures, and he even signed autographs.

I want to publicly thank and praise DR. LATHAM for helping to make today happen. A special measure of thanks goes out to ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION MIKE GEARY for being the point man on this project. This will have been a positive experience these kids will never forgei.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013


Image                          Image 

SAVE THE DATE!!Please join us! 

The Lynn Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Inc. will celebrate the 21st annual scholarship awards ceremony. 
Friday June 7, 2013 
6:00p.m. -10:00p.m. 
Franco American post 
535 western avenue. 
Lynn, ma  
 Gala night in honor to our students 
Triumphs and achievements 
$30.00 per person o 
$250 per table of 10 
*Buffet live entertainment* 
*Award presentations* 
RSVP by June 2nd 2009 
 Maria carrasco (781) 632-2908 
P.O. BOX 8280 LYNN, MA 01904 
If you can not attend, donations are appreciated