THE JOCKEYING OF JARED

Lori DAmico has left a new comment on your post "MORE THAN NICE HAIR": 

Jared is correct. The next school committee will face the same challenges our current and past committee's have---financial concerns, rising student enrollment and infrastructure needs. If we want to build pathways for students to college and jobs, we must first resolve these issues. 

Two of the biggest problems we have in Lynn are the continued underfunding of our schools and the mishandling of the funds we do receive. Unfortunately, the way the system currently works, there is little the school committee members can do when it comes to the underfunding. This problem originates and lies with the Mayor and city council members who create and approve the city budget. However, the school committee does have authority over the school department operating budget. To help ease the burden of the current financial crisis, school committee members could begin with demanding transparency. It is amazing to watch and listen to a LPS budget hearing. Money is moved all around that budget from line item to line item or bunched in with other line items. I honestly do not believe a single person sitting at that table, including Kevin, can account for every dollar that comes in and out of the district. You can see the look of confusion on the faces of committee members. Unfortunately, this confusion leads to almost no questions asked (typically only Donna asks any) and a rubber stamp approval. 

Another way school committee members could help ease the burden of the current financial crisis is stop approving exorbitant raises for administrators, particularly those who have offices on Bennett Street and especially for those who are responsible for the financial crisis we are currently facing. Why are these individuals being rewarded for their neglectful actions? Why are raises being given out when there is a net school spending shortage of about $17 million? Money for raises does not just miraculously appear. It is money that is taken away from our schools, classrooms and students. Schools and classrooms that are overcrowded and already have insufficient resources. If current and potential school committee members really want to support our teachers, stop suggesting, recommending, requesting and expecting they do more for less. Less time, space, money, and resources. 

The lack of overall parental involvement is another significant issue in our schools. It is great to have such diverse schools full of students from different countries, backgrounds and cultures. However, parents/guardians need to step up, get involved, take responsibility and action for the education of their children, as well as their own, and stop blaming the teachers!