THANK YOU THOR

Lynn CFO says charter school costs 'a killer'

You see I've been racking my brain for almost three years why I could never find the line for CHARTER SCHOOL COSTS in the school budget. Silly me, it wasn't  there.

Working magic that only can make, the money was moved from outside the lines. These guys are pretty good investors if I do say. Think about tallies from these tables. For an investment of 21 million dollars, a return of over 10 million dollars will be paid this year alone and this dividend is guaranteed to rise. Sure there are additional costs associated with conducting class but I still like those  profit margins.

JUST HOW LONG IS THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN FOR A SCHOOL IN LYNN?

YOU DO THE MATH, MY HEAD HURTS.

LATHAM LEADS PLANNED PILGRIMAGE TO NAVIGATOR NATION

Honestly I don't think she will be out front with a banner or a baton but it is to her CREDIT to recognize the potential of the benefit for the students to spend an afternoon at the park. She was smart to see that education is more than standing in front of a SMART BOARD. Such an experience could just be the impetus that sends some of these young ones on the way toward their academic quest.

I don't know all the details, I'm just a parent who likes to pontificate but near as I can gather all of the ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS in the city are going. Buses have been ordered. Why this is such carefully calculated move is because it will have maximum positive impact on young developing minds. Thanks also to the NORTHSHORE NAVIGATORS for their generosity for putting on this special exhibition game.

In the interest of full disclosure (and to toot my daughter's horn) my daughter, ASIAH WOTRING (from MARSHALL), will be singing the NATIONAL ANTHEM.Now I have been thanked for my efforts in promoting this event but as I told them, ":No need to thank me, I've got some skin in the game even if it;s alligator skin".

Now I'm not going to divulge what that CRYPTIC QUOTE meant. You see I don't think FULL DISCLOSURE means the FULL MONTE.

WHO WANTS TO BUILD A NEW MARSHALL?

Funny, you would think LPS and the LSC would but they have remained pretty much quiet on the matter. Oh they've held a few meetings, most of which at a time when few people could attend, The passage of the upcoming BOND needed an extensive campaign, a PR push, a real sales job. Instead we get a SNOW job, a COLORADO snow job or was that ARIZONA? You know they have great snow in the Smoky Mountains in TENNESSEE but I guess they forgot about their trip there.

The LYNN PARENT'S ORGANIZING FOR BETTER EDUCATION seem to at least be trying to mount some kind of push. MARSHALL'S page on FACEBOOK (Yes, Cathe Facebook) regular puts out positive pieces about students progress and keeps parents and the public informed about the overall happenings at the school.

Me..... well me....now that could be a little more complicated. You see I recognize the CRITICAL need for a new school. We are busting at the seams and the seams they are old and rotten. The problem is that it is also my opinion that the vote is not going to be pass without some coordinated effort and a record of fiscal responsibility. When you waste the money you got, it makes it hard to ask for more.

KINDERGARTEN CLUSTER......WHAT?

The way this plan was rushed together, I kind of already know the answer to this question but I'll ask anyway. Has a traffic study been done? Has their been any consideration been given to the sudden implication of all those additional vehicles to the area.

One of the princiPALS that spoke in favor of the plan was heard to say she;s not worried about the lunacy or logistics of busing because most of her parents will drive their kids, Sweet, but that will only make matters worse. Have you seen the small circular driveway in front of COMMERCIAL STREET? Imagine 7  to 9 buses lined up there twice a day with 5 year old children scrambling to find the right bus to return home all the while dodging texting parents who can't have their kid riding no bus.

Compounding this disaster is the addition of the success of LVTI and Principal PARADIS. According to her, TECH is doing  so GROWING and EVOLVING into a top notch high school. So that kind of begs the question - come next year when we approach capacity there, then what. Will the BIG kids crowd out the recently displaced little tykes?

See there are too many questions to ram this plan through like a BULL in a china shop. I offer my warnings most sheepishly because well it's to my advantage if the supporters of this plan look like HORSE'S ....../

Well they will be my opponents come election day.

SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!

I'M NOT PLAYIN

June 3, 2013

Dear Secretary Galvin,

I am writing to inform your office of what I think is an election violation and a serious infringement on my civil rights. For approximately eighteen months my emails have been blocked from the entire district of Lynn Public Schools. Even though I am author of a sometimes controversial blog, LYNN SCHOOL WATCH, I am the father of two eighth-graders at two different middle schools in Lynn and on the federally mandated SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL at FORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

Earlier this month, I was notified by the CITY CLERKS office in Lynn that I had 380 certified signatures on my NOMINATION papers for SCHOOL COMMITTEE. Only 350 are required by July 1. I feel that this apparently intentional blocking of my attempts to communicate with the LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOL system may be an attempt on their part to influence the election of the LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

I trust you will look into this matter.

Sincerely,

Stanley H. Wotring, Jr.

cc:

Mary Audley

city clerk, Lynn

WU WASTES, THEN WHAT WORK DOES SCHOOL WORKS WORK?

That RACE TO THE TOP MONEY is being blown away faster than a TENNESSEE TWISTER. After what was presented as a successful trip to MUSIC CITY last year, now they're singing a different tune. Now we are looking at an EXPENSIVE and EXTENSIVE COLORADO COVER of an ARIZONA plan. Hey, wasn't ARIZONA the LAST state to approve MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY? What's the name of that tune?

A couple of days before the premiere of WU's latest WRAP-AROUND RAP, I get serenaded at a STAKEHOLDERS GROUP by another RTTP funded record label who put their own spin on what's wrong, With all this duplication, it's hard to have recognition of what song to sing.

ARE THEY TRYIMG TO SWAY THE ELECTION?

You know this is really getting tiring/ Still blocked. Some might say and I don't know who they might be, that LPS is trying to influence the ELECTION by denying me access throughout the entire district. My emails bounce back from any @lynnschools.org address. Tomorrow I do something about it!

This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.

Delivery to the following recipients failed.

lathamc@lynnschools.org

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: stanleywotring@msn.com
To: lathamc@lynnschools.org
Subject: TEST
Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2013 16:27:57 -0400

TEST

LPS HAS POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH PARENTS

For the second time in two years parents have petitioned the LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE about an issue they were unhappy with. The first time they were successful in causing a PUBLIC HEARING to be held but unsuccessful in their cause.

This second time they have gotten the necessary amount of signatures on a petition to force a CHARTER MANDATED hearing but so far no date has been no date set. They will be asked in this hearing to think about the IMPACT busing five year olds across town. The charter does not actually require a vote to be taken, only that voices be heard. You see by IGNORING parents concerns, some people will get their way.

Unfortunately for them, this strategy will not work for having a successful outcome on the BOND vote. Perhaps, it was that flawed strategy that led yo the omission of the MARSHALL progress report at the last LSC meeting. I mean it seems like they were more interested in the BONDAGE.They want to put the parents in with these seminar sessions they want to WRAP-AROUND already busy schedules. This instead of steady flow of timely and pertinent information.

SEEMS LIKE IGNORING IS THE NEW ENGAGING.

PLEAS FROM A PICKERING PARENT

It has been a great 3 years at Pickering Middle School. Our children are starting to move on to High School. We need parents to step up and help out with the PTO "now". It does take some of your time, but the rewards are beyond life itself. Remember these are our children. I can personally say the staff at "Pickering Middle School" our superb. We have had two principals, Mr. Murphy and currently Mr. Rittershaus and new Vice Principal Mrs. Finn. I have watched my child and your children grow into young men and women. Wouldn't you like to be a part of their "Middle School life". Your children need you more today then ever.
(Pickering Middle School will always be a part of our life)

PICKERING PEOPLE - PREPARE TO GET YOUR GROOVE ON,.... MAN

Parents: Pickering will be having its last school dance on Wednesday, June 5 from 5:30-8:00 pm. Tickets are $5 and will be on sale before school in front of the auditorium. Students may also buy tickets at the door. The theme of the dance is 'Tropical Island'. Students can dress with a 'Tropical Island' look (i.e. Hawaiian shirts, etc). Prizes will be giving out and there will be refreshments available for purchase. This dance is for Pickering students only.

WHAT'S UP, WU?

Someone please help me! I just don't understand. I mean last summer we all vacationed together in TENNESSEE. I mean I know not at the same time. Okay not even in the same place. I think you went to NASHVILLE, I think that's 5 or 6 hours away from where my brother lives (Depends on who's driving!).

Supposedly a few administration people went down there to observe their TOP-NOTCH WRAP-AROUND PROGRAM. After the COLORADO presentation that actually came from ARIZONA talk of TENNESSEE has disappeared like a lost lover in a sad country song. Come on now fess up, did you all go down there just to catch a concert. I wouldn't blame you if you did, that way of life is so relaxing. Kick your shoes off. Stay a while.

Now a plan that ARIZONA developed has crossed the border into COLORADO with suddenly is the one to go with. I think maybe AZ may just be trying to EXPORT this plan as a way to deal with their immigration problems by having somebody else deal with it. The cost to implement this plan is PHENOMENAL. Obviously we have TRANSLATION TROUBLES now (right LORI?), does anyone think we have a magic fiscal wand and solve all our inadequacies? How can we expect people to pay higher taxes for a new school when LPS has such a woeful record of waste. Well trimming the fat in the administration office could help.

There is only one year left on this RACE TO THE TOP GRANT have you decided next year where you want to visit?

ACCIDENTAL OMISSION?

Community Reads to Harrington students

This is such a GREAT event. A real positive for LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. That's why for the life of me (Don't get any ideas) I can't figure out why this upcoming event wouldn't have been mentioned at Thurs. nights LSC meeting. To get community involvement you've not only praise it after the fact but before as well.

This should have been included in the SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. I don't know maybe she was preparing herself for that oncoming bus the MAYOR was going to throw her under about the MARSHALL report's omission from the meeting.

WU WAFFLES ON WHICH WAY IS RIGHT

I think I need some of those INTERPRETATION services LORI is always talking about us being mandate by the STATE to follow certain guidelines. See I been hearing a lot since I been going to these school committee meetings how MASSACHUSETTS has the BEST schools in the country. It even came up in the PRESIDENTIAL debates. I mean, I've seen a bumper sticker for goodness sake.

YET.....

last summer we sent people to TENNESSEE to study their WRAP-AROUND services and I seem to remember a lot of fanfare.

Well as of last night that seemed to be out the window or at least off  in the distance. Now ARIZONA is all the rage. We even got to watch a clip on how COLORADO, I believe, is implementing their model. Funny I just can't understand how a plan from a state with such a averse and controversial stand on immigration is going to be right for us. Has anyone looked at who is sitting in our desks? Maybe ARIZONA just has better tourist spots for our people to go study.

The bigger question is that if we are so good    why isn't anybody coming to study us?

MAYBE THEY JUST GOT LOST IN TRANSLATION.

BITS FROM THE BUDGET

The SECRETARY OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, MR. T. IARIBINO was missing from last night's LSC meeting. I surmise he was off looking for my missing copy of next year;s budget. Tommy Boy knows when I don't have the facts, I make things up. It's the POET in me.

Well the MAYOR vouched that's it's a good budget, that her and DR. LATHAM workeed hard together on it.  There was talk about money in the SPECIAL ED DEPT. being moved around (Translation - Watch Out, the money will be hard to follow).

Speaking of TRANSLATION )As we all know LIL'LORI has funding for it suppossedly been embedded throughout). The root of embedded is bed and well, you better pay close attention to who you are snuggled up with.

PROOF THAT I'M NOT BITTER MAY BE A HARD PILL FOR SOME TO SWALLOW

Lynn’s Secret Poet | North Shore Art Throb

www.nsartthrob.com

Let me say up front, I am NOT Lynn's Secret Poet.Do you really think I could do anything in secret? But  I do recognize the power of words to CHANGE lives. Equating a word as a label is the digital trap set by MATH people to try and control concepts by putting limits on perception.

Living an HD life is to rob yourself of the richness of the moment. Life's music is more than a numerical frequency.

RIDE THE WAVE.

DON'T WORRY CATHE, I GOT YOUR BACK

What do they say about enemies , friends, and closeness? After tonight's LSC meeting I was a tellin the MARVELOUS MAYOR that she made a technical, procedural mistake, The monthly report on the progress on MARSHALL was pot on the agenda for the night's meeting. Normally public mention is made of the acceptance of the report for the record. No details are ever given the MAYOR just asks for a motion for acceptance into the record. NOTICE I SAID THE MAYOR ASKS

I was prepared to give this faux pax a pass. No need to make a FEDERAL CASE out of this violation. Shh, don't tell LORI or my BFF, they like to write letters. But I will not stand for anybody but me badmouthing CATHE. The MAYOR put the blame on her for this procedural miscues. By trying to shift responsibility of the OPEN MEETING VIOLATION, she threw CATHE under the BUS.It wasn't CATHE'S job. I wonder if it was one of the ones that they are using to ship those kiddies away from their parents.

PICKERING POSTS AWARD

I figured I get to the George Laubtner award tomorrow when I can devote more time to it and maybe even spell some names right but I get home and Pickering has pictures on their group. Now everybody doesn't get to see it so here goes:

Congratulations Hailey Page, and Thank You Mr. Kevin Rittershaus for attending and representing tonight also!! Here are a few pictures.

SOMETHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

From correctional center to Congress: Former inmate vouches for education

This story shows the values of adult education and hopefully this young man not only an example of personal growth and development but provide an example of what is important and behaviors to avoid. Here is a case where a little money wisely spent can avoid the expense of future incarceration. It's much cheaper yo pat one teacher a few hours a week for a classroom of adults than to provide alternative housing on a state prison.

You not only save on that person's housing but you don't lode his potential contribution to the tax base. Then there is the ripple effect throughout his family, often school age kids who insure increased expenditures due to family decay.

The GED program at LPS has somewhat of a stormy past I think ADULT EDUCATION as a whole. Now at the FORD SCHOOL )I can hear you screaming "Oh here he goes again about Ford," sorry I've not had my medication yet this morning. Anyway at FORD on Mon. and Tue. nights through the winter various classes are held benefiting well over 200 people. There is even a class on cable, Now that's a lot of success stories, maybe not as great individually but it speaks very loudly collectively.

It was a story that almost never happened. Forgive me if I don't have all the details but people are AFRAID to talk to me. I talked to one teacher at my BOSTON STREET OFFICE that gave me his story but refused to give me his name, He said he knew me and was afraid of the ramifications of being associated with me. Anyway I seem to remember a fight where our SUPERINTENDENT said ther was no money to pat for $35 teachers for a couple of hours to improve kids lives by improving their parents' ones but there appears to be little problem scrapping up around $200.000 to replace doors at $10,000 a pop.

Sure it is done in the name of safety and that is supposed to justify it. Anything to keep the bad guys out. The thing is with a little education there would be less bad guys to keep out. We need to spend our money wisely.

DABBLING IN DEPUTY DOLLAR DETAILS

Well I wonder just how much we have added to the budget since we hired that SECOND DEPUTY. You know me and numbers so I am just going to throw some figures at you.

Probably close to $200,000 in her salary. That CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY she is entitled to has cost around $75,000 and let's not forget the bill for that leased car for another $6000, That total would cover the cost for all those pricey doors with money left over to maybe replace a few windows.

WELL, WHAT DID WE GET FOR OUR MONEY?

Since the hiring of the extra help we are no longer best of the worst. I'm talking about all of the lower performing urban districts they lumped together so we can feel better about not doing so good. Misery loves company.

Maybe we should hire a THIRD DEPUTY and then maybe our scores would decrease that we could go into receivership and then we'd bring in the big money

DOES WORKS WORK?

Met with SCHOOL WORKS, a educational consulting company or agency or  whatever they call themselves. They had been hired by the state to give an assessment on the LEVEL 4 schools by the State and everybody was so  pleased with the usefulness of their assessment that DR. LATHAM, ie, the DISTRICT, hired them to assess all the LEVEL 4 schools in hopes that they won't go to the next level.

After meeting with stakeholder groups, I think teachers,leadership teams and who knows who all to get an accurate assessment of where we are at and where we are going. A good thing right?

Well you see, don;t you wonder how much all this is costing? Where is the money coming from? Well I bet RACE TO THE TOP MONEY is involved but you can't always believe a gambling man/ After all I had to roll the marriage dice four times and I've crapped out three times so far.