Woodstock CT Café

Mr. Richardson’s interpretation of Prop 46 is different than that of the BOF. This BOF is interpreting Prop 46 the same way as all the Boards have interpreted Prop 46 for the past 30 years. All town attorneys, both past and present, have been consistent year after year in their interpretation and calculation. Now Mr. Richardson wants this BOF to adopt HIS interpretation of Prop 46 which is INCONSISTENT with that of the Boards for the past 30 years. The net effect on the budget calculations with his interpretation would be the same as amending Prop 46. The voters, at several recent referenda, have expressed their desire to keep Prop 46 as it is. For this Board to adopt Mr. Richardson’s interpretation, it would be altering Prop 46 without the voters having their say.

I would suggest to Mr. Richardson that he draft an amendment to Prop 46 reflecting his interpretation of Prop 46, submit it to referendum and let the voters decide rather than coerce the BOF with threats of legal action.

Dave Hosmer
Chairman, Woodstock Board of Finance

Just read Kevin’s blog.

Teachers cannot teach without classroom materials. They also can’t prep the students for the CMT’s without practice books. Sounds like the BOE won’t have a problem anymore in a few more years. If the CMT scores start dropping because the students aren’t prepared for the exam, it will send a red flag up with the State Dept. of Ed. Same will happen if our schools fail an audit for having Sped students out of the classroom more than 80% of their day for their needed help/services. Since it sounds to me like Kevin feels we’re on a very real path to that happening, then Woodstock schools should easily qualify as “non-performing” by the State under NCLB in no time; couple of years, maybe.

There are supposedly quite severe consequences for a school that is declared as being non-performing.

Once that happens, the CPS folks are going to become a bit unhappy because then the State can step in and make our BOE fund the K-8. What if those needed funds come from WA? They would have to right? The State can’t force the town to take funds away from Open Space or the Fire Depts. But the State Dept. of Ed. must be well within its rights to balance the spending between the three schools in this town. The State may not necessarily see it the Academy’s way.

So, if you’re a conspiracy theorist, you’re thinking that the way to save K-8 now is to anonymously call the State in now and request an audit regarding the 56% vs. 80% issue. Read the rest of this entry »

Read Kevin Ford’s analysis of the latest round of cuts to the education budget.

Kevin’s Blog

Don’t forget tonight’s

Town Meeting for

AMENDED 2008-09 BUDGET

WOODSTOCK TOWN HALL – June 17th, 2008 – 7:30 PM