As I read Mr. Breen’s proposal it isn’t so much a bid to gain control as one to gain a voice. Since the academy is filling the role of the public high school in the Woodstock area they have become a de-facto natural monopoly. I.e. the barriers to entry to create a new public high school or a competing private high school at the same price point are so high as to make a competitive choice in high schools unlikely. This gives the Woodstock Academy monopoly power. As many monopolies (natural or not) tend to do the Woodstock Academy appears to be using its monopoly power to continue their monopoly status. In this case to force the Woodstock Board Of Education to enter into a long term contract that ostensibly serves mostly the Academy’s interests.
As happens with most monopolies that use strong arm tactics, the recipients of their attention are now seeking legislative and/or judicial relief. I don’t really feel that sorry for the Academy as they are now reaping a crop that they have been sowing for quite some time. Sure a large part of the real problem is the BOF’s 73-27 split in financing but that does not excuse the unfortunately reprehensible tactics of the Academy to continue their status as a monopoly for high school education in Woodstock. Read the rest of this entry »
