Woodstock CT Café

by Arne 

RE: “Gengras/St.Joe: Student M: $82,300″ from the 2007/2008 budget 

The young man who was placed at Gengras was ‘inherited’ from another public school system when his mother moved back to Woodstock.  He was 19 years old, did not walk, did not talk, was not toilet trained, was intellectually disabled, had brain damage, and was tube fed.  Besides being in a self-contained class for severely impaired individuals he required nursing services, a one to one TA, OT services, PT services, Speech and Language services, specialized vocational experiences (because of his age it is required), and special transportation.  He not only went to school during the regular school year but also had summer services.  He was undoubtedly the most severe special education student the school system has had.  The Woodstock school system tried to return him to Woodstock to reduce costs but the mother would not hear of it because this student had been in the Gengras program for a long time.  Even if he had come back to Woodstock, he probably would have cost as much in an EastConn program as this program costs around $47,000 for a student who is just a behavioral issue or has a severe learning disability. 

So yes, this poor kid’s teaching was very expensive and, no, he did not make much progress; but the school system was still required by state statutes to provide him with a very extensive (and expensive) program.

by Con

Let’s Wait and Watch with Respect to Obama and the Stimulus Plan.

It’s far too early to draw a comprehensive Conclusion with regard to the Obama Presidency, or the Stimulus Package. It will take time and an enormous effort before we will see results of any kind; without these results, any Conclusions are fundamentally flawed – they are premature, based on flawed/false assumptions and invariably are highly political. A flawed assumption in a line of reasoning renders the resulting Conclusion flawed. These flawed assumptions are hidden (often purposefully) and go unchallenged, while the flawed Conclusion is repeated and adds to the divisiveness in this Country.

The most intelligent and wisest persons are watching and waiting; they recognize that we are in the very early stage of a new administration and a new approach; they recognize that it’s impossible to conclude whether this administration and this Plan has succeeded or failed – there has not been nearly enough time for anyone to draw fulsome conclusions. These smart people also resist the urge to believe and repeat (aka ‘Parrot’) the hyperbole of self-proclaimed experts who spout extreme and divisive views. Too many have rushed into taking a Political Position. The smartest ones are waiting and watching quietly.

Unfortunately, many others have gone ‘Straight To Panic!’ – they’ve drawn (or adopted) half-baked, Foregone Conclusions. Many then dig in their heels, close their minds and seemingly refuse to consider any other notions or ideas. Why the burning rush to draw comprehensive, all-encompassing Conclusions? This panic and negativity is a drag on our collective progress; those who advocate this brand of divisiveness based on their negative foregone conclusions are not helping in any fashion. Even though not much time has passed, already I have heard enough panic and negativity.

This country does not need further divisiveness. Divisiveness harms us all in many ways – I would hope we can agree on that premise (excuse the irony…). These immature, foregone Conclusions regarding Obama or the Plan seem to share the trait of divisiveness; those advocating certain Conclusions seem to posses more allegiance to their party or group than to the Country as a whole. Read the rest of this entry »