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!!

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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.

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

n Education Blog

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

http://www.lynnschools.org/documents/superintendent/LPS_FY14%20Proposed%20School%20Budget.pdf

www.lynnschools.org

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?

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!.

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

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

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..

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.

                           

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 

lynnscholarship@yahoo.com 

P.O. BOX 8280 LYNN, MA 01904 

If you can not attend, donations are appreciated