Divided School Committee Votes To Place Superintendent on Leave With Pay – Updated
School committee members who voted to place Supt. Mario Cirillo on leave said he was not forthcoming with information.
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A sharply-divided East Providence school committee voted 3 to 2 Tuesday night to put Supt. Mario Cirillo on indefinite paid administrative leave.
School committee member Stephen Furtado made the motion and it was seconded by school committee member Ryan Tellier. Chairman Charles Tsonos also voted in favor of the action.
School committee members Chrissy Rossi and Luisa Abatecola opposed the idea.
“I’d like to start by asking, where did this come from?” Rossi asked.
Tsonos responded that, “I believe at this time we need to chart a new course to constructively address the difficult and unresolved issues that lie ahead for our school and our city.”
He pointed out that the school system is anticipated to have a $1.4 million operating deficit this fiscal year on top of an already accumulated deficit of more than $6.3 million.
Rossi pressed him on the issue.
“How do you feel that having him sit home, eating ice cream sandwiches, enjoying his summer while we’re paying him to do it is a good plan?” she asked.
The emotional meeting was filled with parents, school administrators, teachers and several former school committee members.
Earlier in the meeting, the school committee fractured over Cirillo’s recommendation to hire Anthony Feola to replace longtime facilities manager Joseph Tavares, who is retiring at the end of June.
Supporters of the hire — including Rossi and Tavares — emphasized the $30 million in bonded money the city is using to make necessary repairs to come into compliance with fire codes and ADA and making the schools more energy efficient.
Much of the work is on a very tight time frame this summer. Feola has also long worked in the district and has been working closely with Tavares on the bond projects.
However, school committee member Ryan Tellier questioned filling the position when city leaders have been talking about potential consolidation in the city and have not yet gotten recommendations about that. He proposed hiring Feola on an interim basis as facilities manager, but that motion failed two to three. Another countervote to appoint Feola facilities manager also failed two to three.
The proposal to place Cirillo on administrative leave with pay rose later in the meeting.
Robert Silva, a school committee attorney, said the school committee had planned to discuss the potential of removing Cirillo in closed session, but Cirillo had asked that it be done publicly.
Cirillo went on record to say that he thought the discussion could violate Open Meetings law, because the advertised agenda did not mention specifically that his performance would be evaluated.
Since the new school committee was sworn in in December, some members have clashed with Cirillo over issues such as the change in the recess policy and the district’s finances.
Tsonos emphasized the projected debt the city could face when he talked about his reason for placing Cirillo on leave. He said based on projections, East Providence could face a deficit of up to $50 million by 2015, which he described as “totally unacceptable.”
He said he had directed the superintendent to come up with a deficit reduction plan to send to the state Auditor General for approval, which he said Cirillo had not done.
Tsonos also said that each department was charged with coming up with their own plan to reduce costs, but that has yet to happen.
Cirillo responded that that was not true. He said that he had been working with the city on a deficit reduction plan when Councilman William Conley said he wanted to establish a deficit elimination committee that would come up with a plan within 40 days.
Cirillo added that the committee has been working very diligently to come up projections to develop the plan.
Tsonos responded that a prior deficit reduction plan had been submitted to the Auditor General in October, was rejected, and that nothing has gone forward to the Auditor General since then.
School finance director Mary King said she thought that the City Council and school committee had been working on a plan together, pointing out that the school system can’t raise its own revenue.
Tsonos said he thought that the school system’s deficit, which is now at more than $7 million for this year, has never been addressed.
King argued that they have tried to address the deficit issue. She said the deficit is historic and that every year, the school district uses money from the new budget to pay old bills, but typically runs out of cash before each budget year is over.
She added that the district has always had financial issues and that they escalated in 2008 as Cirillo came in as superintendent.
King also said that the only problem the Auditor General has with the first plan was that it was backloaded, and said that the district had come up with an alternative to address the deficit: using tax anticipation notes. Conley has raised objections to that idea as essentially paying off debt with a credit card.
Rossi also said that Cirillo had recently come to the committee with another nearly $500,000 in potential savings, but that the committee had opted to implement full-day kindergarten throughout the district, so projected savings would be about $250,000.
Cirillo also said that during his time as superintendent, he has saved $12 million in concessions from unions and another $6 million in cost avoidance.
“This is a talented person who really brought in the savings,” taxpayer advocate Bill Murphy said in support of Cirillo. He also challenged what he viewed as the “clear implication” that under Cirillo, the district doesn’t pay its bills.
School committee member Abatecola also questioned what the committee’s plan was going forward once they placed Cirillo on leave. Tsonos said there are two assistant superintendents who could step in.
Former school committee member Robert Faria questioned the committee blaming Cirillo — who started in August 2008 — with bills from 10 years ago. Others mentioned increases in test scores. Another speaker said he planned to file an open meetings complaint with the Attorney General.
One mother spoke during the meeting about her concern with how the district under Cirillo has handled the lack of speech and occupational therapists. She said the district was initially unresponsive and that she had to file a grievance to get her concerns addressed.
Another speaker questioned the decisions under Cirillo to use $450,000 from the anticipated sale of the Grove Avenue Elementary School to balance the budget and including $1.2 million in the calculations that the governor and commissioner of education had informed East Providence would not be coming into the city. And now the school system is looking at a $1.4 million deficit this fiscal year.
Tellier also said that Cirillo had not been forthcoming on some issues. Cirillo declined comment after the meeting.
Rumford Resident
11:23 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Lawson, Vinhateriro, and the rest of the hacks in EP proved tonight who really is in charge in EP......
Patch, start a poll tomorrow....
Who will declare bankruptcy first?
Greece? Ireland? Central Falls? OR East Providence?
A do NOTHING School Committee just confirmed all that has been predicted by this blogger since January.....
Pathetic!!!
Maybe Vinhaterio can come back to EP and add to his 6 figure pension??
Rumford Resident
5:52 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
For those who may have a short memory, why don't you review Tsonos website when he ran:
http://sites.google.com/site/charlietsonos/home
Charlie said: I will "Create inclusive decision making on major issues"
He also claimed: "Children Succeed When Families, Schools, and Communities Work Together"
He was going to: "Through positive leadership, create an environment that will enhance the school system’s reputation statewide & beyond"
His platform claimed that he would: "cut spending & taxes and still create a positive long term reputation for our city and the future"
Last night the city of east providence learned that Tony Carcieri was correct, and that we now have a new '3-2'.
HEY CHARLIE, I just got my tax bill, where will I find my 'TAX CUT".
The treatment of Dr Cirillo was a disgrace last evening. The PARENTS and PTO representatives know that this is union BS.
I ask Ms McCaffery and Patch to challenge Tsonos, Lawson, Vinhateiro, Furtado, etc as to what happened behind closed doors, what is THEIR PLAN???
We have 'Race to the Top", a Bond to rebuild the schools, new text books, computers, but unless Lawson and her cronies are happy, then we have to put up with this???
EP is a joke!
Time Out
7:21 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
"He proposed hiring Feola on an interim basis as facilities manager, but that motion failed two to three. Another countervote to appoint Feola facilities manager also failed two to three, with Furtado voting against the measure each time." Furtado voted in favor of hiring Feola as an interim facilities manager. We have an interim director in special ed, so why not one here? Business does it all the time.
Who was the big guy in the audience shouting out and heckling through the whole meeting. They should have called the police on him!!!
mom23
7:21 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
So let me see if I have this straight......we dont have a city manager but we are paying for one. Now,we dont have a school superintendant but we are paying for one. Is this the change that we wanted?????
Time Out
7:24 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Perhaps if the old school committee lame ducks hadn't given everyone in the admin building contracts at the last minute and extended Cirillo's contract before it came due we wouldn't have our hands tied like this. At least if he is out he can't do any more damage.
Rumford Resident
7:44 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Time out. Can you define ' any more damage'??
Is that damage the Bradley Partnership?
Or is it the new technology in the schhols?
Or is it the bond issues to fix the schools?
or the new text books?
Or right sizing teacher pay?
This school committee led by Tsonos has been in for more than half a year... What have they done? Fix Recess?????
S
9:21 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sorry folks you just lost a good hard working superintendent. Your schools will start to go backwards once again, this sitting school committee is a joke and union lead. The teachers will once again be the highest paid and work the least. The scores will fall, the bar will be lowered turning a diploma into a meaningless piece of paper.
I hope all the real working families out there can now see what the union led working families coalition has done to your city. John Faria, Paul Moura, Brian Coogan, Val Lawson, Charlie Tsonos, Ryan Tellier, Steve Furtado what a joke. Now you are going into teacher salary negotiations, imagine that
Who will negotiate now? Will it be Vinhateriro or Daft or will Val just do it herself. God lets hope the idiots on the city side put a stop to this however the vote is also 3 to 2 there (3 to 2 if you can actually believe Rossi was against this) words are words actions are actions.
Kevin Oliver
9:43 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
All I can say is I agree with mom23. For a city that is claimimg to be so poor it can't pay attention, you have to wonder why we now have to pay 2 huge salaries for people who no longer work for us. Also, when they replace them, we are going to pay 2 more.. So in all actuality we are going to end up paying 4 salaries for 2 jobs???? Om no bussiness major, but to me that doesn't make a whole hell of a lot of sense. Faria, Moura, Coogan, Lawson, Tsonos, Furtado, and Tellier strike again.
Rumford Resident
9:50 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
We can't afford fireworks on the 4th of July, but we can afford this?
Look in the mirror those who voted in this crew.
Blame no one but a poorly educated electorate....
Cathy
10:15 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Kevin, Why do you say Faria. He has nothing to do with this committee. Who ever voted this the current people should be ashamed of themselves. One thing you NEVER hear from this committee is how to better our children's education. What is their plan now? That question was asked last night and not one of them could answer that questions. God help these kids!!!
S
12:42 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Cathy how can you say that
This committee has brought back recess, no wait it really was never gone its just that the structure changed to try and stop bullying among other STATE mandated reforms but the teachers didn't like it so they went backwards.
Ok, but they now make the schools open 15 mins to 30 mins earlier so parents can drop their kids off earlier, oh wait that's not education because the teachers don't have to be there.
Well this committee brought full day K oh no wait Dr. Cirillo did that and incorporated a $250K savings at the same time.
But this committee is considering lowering the bar so more of the students the teachers don't teach can graduate, doesn't that have something to do with education?
Heather Foley
10:13 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Someone explain this to me like I'm a two year old because I must be missing something. The school department has a serious deficit which is projected to only get worse. Part of Dr Cirillo's job is to reduce this deficit. Because he has not come up with an over night solution to fix all of the school dept's woes, we should then pay him to do nothing? I've lived in EP for almost 2 years. I heard all about the political nonsense but have never seen it so clearly.
Tonya Borello
10:42 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
I could be way off here, but this committee had no choice but to send someone who has not been doing his job HOME. we can't allow him to "finish" his contract (which the PREVIOUS SCHOOL COMMITTEE EXTENDED, Miss Cathy) because he would help dig an even bigger hole. We have to pay him because his contract was extended. Until he releases the nec. docs. there is no terminating him without pay. Corrupt CITY!!
Rumford Resident
10:50 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tonya
You're right. You are way off.....
The deficit was there before Cirillo. It goes back to the Townie Pride crew of Kanellos, Vinhateiro, Ramos, Rodericks, etc.
Cirillo came in 3 years ago.
How did he make it 'worse'? By controlling teacher salaries? By using that savings to buy text books and computers that were OLD? By partnering with Bradley (Gist just said this is seen as a best practice nationally!!).
No, this is cheap politics at its worst.
Tsonas, Furtado, Tellier, Rossi, Abedecola, what are THEIR ideas? .....
The silence is deafening!!!
JR
12:39 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
A solution overnight???
How about a solution in the past 6 months??
He inherited a $5 million deficit, it's now $7.4 or more!!!
So far his solutions have been to spend more money!
Rumford Resident
2:17 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
JR, nice to see you don't take father's day off with your inaccurate posts....
Where to begin....
Lets start with you admitting that 'he inherited a $5 million deficit'. Glad to see that you admit that the Tsonos crowd (Izzy Ramos, Vinhateirao (squared) Rodericks) etc left us with a $5 MILLION deficit. This was created by Kanelos, Snow, Morris, etc. giving all of their hack relatives jobs in EP, paying for Vinhateiro's education, etc. There was never a hint of fiscal responsibility during the past 40 years!!!
Now, we see an increase from $5.0 to $7.4 to use your numbers. Can you define where this came from? Was it from cutting the teachers pay 2.5% (not 5% as they schilled for so long, but 2.5% since they still got a 2.5% raise)? Was it from increased energy costs? (are you going to blame Bush, Cheney and Haliburtan for that since Obama has controlled energy costs for 2 years?). Can you define where the increased spending has come from? And what was under the control of Dr. Cirillo (note how I refer to him as 'Dr. Cirillo'. Rodericks in the EP Reporter always refers to Izzy as 'Dr' but Dr. Cirillo is always Mr. Cirllo....Note the bias from Mr Townie Pride Rodericks.
So, to close JR, I ask again, WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS??? WHAT ARE TSONOS IDEAS? WHAT ARE FURTADO'S IDEAS???? WHAT ARE TELLIERS, ROSSIS, AND ABEDECOLA'S IDEAS?????
THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING!!!
AND EAST PROVIDENCE IS GOING BROKE WHILE WE WAIT!!!!!
S
6:04 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
JR your a union moronic hack ..... tote the union line and find something even if its wrong to complain and lie about. You have no idea what you are talking about you just throw it out there and see who will believe it. I think the teachers want to have a pay for performance it makes the hard working teachers look good and get compensated for doing good instead of compensating everyone for the ones who wrong hard. With pay for performance the non working teachers like Mary from Barrington would be reprimanded for her poor performance.
S
11:32 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wow Tonya not even close
Does anyone understand the long term problems here, the cost is a major issue right now granted but take a very close look and think hard.
these people are elected by what ever means it was they are elected, the electorate spoke, Yes they are puppets, yes they are not very bright.
The existing money lose (Barham and Cirillo salary) is the least of the problem (Replacement personnel), the long term monetary lose to the unions in retirement, pay raises, benefits is going to be staggering and worse yet is the kids will not be educated because the teachers will not be held accountable.
Technology will again dwindle to uselessness, the building upgrades will be improperly handled. Books will no longer be purchased and the teachers will complain about it. The teachers will say we can not teach because we have no updated books the technology is poor how can we teach these kids when the buildings are falling apart.
Its to bad utter stupidity is not illegal, then again is this stupidity or a well planned coup. That my friends is illegal
Cathy
11:35 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Every well said S
7star
11:51 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The magical blackboard eraser that Joe Larissa wields strikes again. See everything bad in this city happens in between his terms as councilman. Now carcieri and his cohorts that were decisively voted out, have their hacks trying to erase the stain that was their time on the school committee. Remember Tony never won an election. Thank Cusack for that nomination
Rumford Resident
12:02 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
7, can you tell us what the current council and school committee plan is? Still waiting?
Again, look at the specific strategies that were implemented under the prior council:
Bradley, Text books, Technology, School Repairs...
Oh and controlling spending on teachers that are about to go on vaca.....
What is the alternative? Be specific!!!
We are all waiting.....
Oh, and by the way, if you think it will get ANY better the stimulus has been spent. As has the tobacco settlement.... And lead paint......
The money is ALL gone.....
So please tell us what the alternative is.
We know what Tony and the prior reps did....
And while you are at it, ask what DaPonte, DaSilva, Melo and the rest of the crew at the state house are doing!!! We still don't have a budget there either.
S
12:32 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The magical blackboard eraser is that a pun? Take a look and see what is happening to the schools, this school committee is giving the union (be fair now) the teachers union everything they want. EVERYTHING THEY WANT yes everything, what hold me accountable Val will have you fired, question why we do anything or change anything with asking our permission, Val will have you fired. You want us to actually teach Val will have you fired. Start to give us the tools we need to teach and make us use them no no don't do that Val will have you fired. Well Val had him fired.
7 stop living in the past the present is much worse the future looks grim as well. As bad as the past school committee was and as bad as the past city council was and yes they were very bad this school committee is 10 times worse and the city council save for two (Conley and DiGioia) are intolerable we are in desperate times.
Tonya Borello
12:35 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Accountability?! Cirillo sits there taking the credit for test scores, while teachers work their a$$es off on a paycut educating our kids, doing the best they can with what they have! They have the lowest salaries in the state of RI her in EP. They are at Staples paying out of pocket for laminating, copies, glue, you name it! so they can teach our kids. Everyone's so quick to bring up the Bradley program (which quite frankly I have yet to see the benefit of) and the godd*mn smart boards and computers. We upgraded sure, but we did it with money we didn't have! He gets paid BIG BUCKS and should be managing OUR MONEY better then he has been. OUT OUT OUT!
Rumford Resident
12:57 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
I don't see pensions for Vinhateiro (squared), Ramos, Rodericks, etc, etc. etc.
Guess what, our problem is not from current spending....
Its from pensions and health care.
Nice try Tonya....
Call in the receiver.....
7star
1:44 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Resident, oh you’re the one that thinks bankruptcy is the solution. Before we go any further, just let me know your position on the tax cuts for the richest of rich. We all know the playbook that was handed down from corporations who ran gov’t from 00-08.
-starve the states which in turn will starve municipalities
-raid wall street which will cause the pension plans to falter
-get people who think they belong in the same club to start a class warfare amongst neighbors, teachers, marjority of the people who don’t care about being rich just care about a good secure life.
I'm not sure who has more money but i'd wager that my life is richer.
Rumford Resident
1:52 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
7
I think you have me confused with David Cicilline. He was the one who raided the treasury of RI.
I am in fact the one who wants us to file bankruptcy. Turn on the news. its about to happen in Greece. Did I cause those problems as well.
As to being richer, I am quite happy thank you.
Now let me get back to work to pay taxes to support people who cant get a job in the private sector...
7star
2:16 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
What are you a caddy at the Wannamoisett? You reply between holes or something? You sure do have time to answer every question except the one about tax breaks.
Rumford Resident
2:25 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
sorry 7, not at wannamoisett.
I'm sure if I were i would find a few folks folks on a disability pension who want to play through. Or maybe a few folks like a Lynch or a Chafee?? Or an Irons playing with CVS and Blue Cross?
As to your question as to tax breaks, let me say that when we cut taxes in the 80s and after 9/11, we actually collected more taxes, because the private sector economy grew. The problem is the Democrats and union hacks spent it faster than what we collected.
Your problem is that you supported Obama, who gave all of the public sector hacks 'stimulus' of almost a trillion dollars. Where did that money go?
And dont forget, Tsonos promised us ALL a tax break??? Still waiting for that one.
Why don't you go back to your granola and latte and chat with the beautiful liberals.....
7star
4:30 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sorry for the delay, figured I’d go to an art museum, exercise, wind down with a walk in the park, soak up a little sun, give a tree a hug. You know everything that doesn’t involve money, shooting things or complain about those illegals.
This back and forth is entertaining but I’m aware nothing will get solved on a messageboard, but you still didn’t answer the question. Are you for or against giving the rich of the richest a tax break in 2011-12?
S
12:53 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tonya stop the rhetoric and the union line
Cirillo should be taking credit he brought in new technology, he brought in the smart boards, he brought in the new text books. Under his watch the scores increased for a reason because he was holding people accountable.
sorry just that you are so wrong and see thru.
Meesh
11:05 am on Friday, July 8, 2011
The smart boards were bought with Title 1 Funds as were the textbooks. The test scores improved because teachers, on their own time, analyzed data and targeted areas of instruction that needed to be more focused to improve student performance...all work done by teachers, and lower level administrators.
S
4:16 pm on Friday, July 8, 2011
Meesh are you serious? you really don't know do you.
Who cares where the money came from to accomplish these things, it all happened on Dr Cirillo's watch. Nobody else brought in smart boards so you criticize because he knows where to go to get funds.
The teachers how funny is that, the great Greg Amore already wrote an article for the post stating it was not anything to do with teaching. that Its all to do with a better group of kids and don"t expect us as teachers to continue with these score improvements.
Rick
4:04 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Privatize the school department
Rumford Resident
4:41 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
I am against raising taxes on the 'rich'.
It sounds like 7 likes to pay taxes, so why don't we send our tax bills to her and Pelosi and Cicilline and Kerry and Reed. They like to pay taxes. 7, why don't you not cash your refund so the government can keep that too.
I guess we can let the government suck us all dry to keep Faria and ruggierio and moura and the rest fat and happy with a pension and free healthcare.
It worked in Greece...
And Portugal...
And Italy...
EFT
7:19 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Which Faria? I am assuming Mr John Faria. President of the EP Democratic Party?
Avid Reader
5:41 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
I haven't seen the re-broadcast yet of last night's meeting so I can not comment until I see it. The Patch shows good coverage but I need to see the entire meeting.
However, I would like to know why all of us as taxpayers aren't upset about this "Race to the Top $$." Come on people, the Sate of RI gets some $75 million dollars and not one penny of it can be spent on repairing schools! Wouldn't that money be better spent on reapirs than wasting your federal tax dollars on re-training teachers? Oh wait, that would mean the blue collar worker would get a job rather than a white collar administrator. Or better yet, a hard working person would get a job rather than a person who is already retired and collecting a pension!
I think both teachers and administrators can speak up for themselves and I don't see why they need concerned taxpayers to defend either of them. Administrators are paid far too much in this country. If they can't perform to such a high standard as ther high paying positions require, than it is time for them to take a haircut like the rest of us or turn the job over to someone that can.
I'm tired of this people saying the problem was here before I arrived and it is not my fault. Either fix it or step aside. That goes for everyone, from the White House down to the local school administrators.
Rags 1
6:17 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Nationally, corporations are sitting on 2 trillion dollars in profit and captial gains; however, they are not reinvesting it in the economy and creating jobs. They are now looking for tax breaks!! Hello.
Tax breaks for oil companies!
What a system of inequality and loss of the middle class.
So much for that.
School committee budgets have exceeded 50% of the municipal budget for years under all the previous committees. Faces change, but the systemic problem of school funding at local levels is the same.
Kids can't read, write or make change if the computer goes down and are not trained for jobs of the future, and all we do is talk about personalities and egos.
School Committees should be advisory and be consolodated by counties.
The rest is political theater.
EFT
7:17 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wow, the stupidity of this city is truly unbelievable. The teachers hated Mr. Cirrillo because he expected more accountability. The majority of the current SC are backed by the teachers union. From the mouth of one EP teacher in attendence last night: good, you took my 5%, so now take this! Mr Tellier commented that Mr Cirrilo was not always forthcoming? Elaborate, please. Now, we have THREE people getting paid and not working! We must have alot of money in EP. Is this what you call Townie Pride???? I am so happy that I do not have children in this school system. If I did, they would now be removed. I may not always agree with Ms Abatecola and Ms Rossi, but I commend them for not voting on this. Shame on Mr Furtado, Mr Tellier, and Mr Tsonos. You all claimed to want to bring back "Townie Pride" for the city. Is this what you call it? Since when is sending someone an email AFTER busienss hrs acceptable in something like this. 2012 can't come fast enough.
S
5:54 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
EFT you are asking for facts from these morons are you crazy, there are no facts there haven't been any yet. I hope Cirillo sues the city and the school department and each one of them individually.
Time Out
8:09 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
I would say if the person has a Blackberry being paid for by his employer he should be taking emails at all hours - otherwise turn it in!
Lmanchester
8:36 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Time out, you nailed it. I have a blackberry paid by my employer and you're right all hours I get notifications. No excuse. Rumford Resident: You need to be careful big guy, try a supplement and if that doesn't work I'd say see your doctor for a prescription before all this anger and anxiety gives you a heart attack.
Rumford Resident
9:50 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
L
Thanks for your concern. I just left the Dr. and all is fine. Blood pressure. Heart rate. etc.
I did have to pay a co-pay. You know what a co-pay is, right? Its a fee that everyone in the private sector has paid for years, but teachers and other government hacks always got that for free.
speaking of free, imagine what health care will be like in the US when obama makes it free!!! Might look a lot like the Greek healthcare system?
But to answer your point about my being angry, considering that EP is broke, and we are now paying 3 guys severence, and we have a hack like Izzy Ramos picking the next city manager, and we still don't have a budget. And we have a councilwoman in ward 1 who doesn't pay taxes....
Yeah, I'm angry!!
not sure why everyone else isnt angry too?
taxpayer
12:50 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
"I did have to pay a co-pay. You know what a co-pay is, right? Its a fee that everyone in the private sector has paid for years, but teachers and other government hacks always got that for free."
Rumford, you are a moron!!! The teachers and all other EP employees have had a co-pay for many years! Pehaps you are thinking of co-share for the cost of insurance.
The EP Teachers now pay the highest co-share of ANY group in the city!!!
Funny how you have no problem with one of the highest superintendent salaries in the State, but are really upset that the teachers, the LOWEST paid in Rhode Island, need to be reduced even more!!!
That's the way to attract the best and brightest new teachers, offer them the lowest pay!!!!
Rumford Resident
2:23 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
Taxpayer,
The only thing that you left out was 'its all about the kids' so we would definitely know that you were a defender of the NEA union hack teachers.
The are the 'lowest paid?
I challenge you to fire these teachers like was done in Central Falls and Providence. Watch they scramble to keep their jobs then!!!
Guess what, the time will come when we will be able to re-write the fat contracts that the teachers, fire, and police have gotten for these many years. And there will be many people waiting in line who are more than qualified to replace the deadwood that is there now. For less money.
Central Falls proved what a joke the public sector union teacher is. And the joke is on them now, as they caved to the teachers, and now they are all calling in sick.
'its all about the kids' is code for its all about the NEA keeping their total control over a failing public school system nationwide.
Rags 1
10:04 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
If you spend more than you take in--guess what--deficit.
If you tax to get more, you risk the burden of having to make priority decisions that will anger one side or the other.
Many of our elections are based upon personal friendships, emotions, and party loyalties--not facts and reality.
Some of more mature politicians are trying to get to reality and have us bite the bullet. It is called leadership.
Local school funding is in trouble all over the country, especially in Little Rhody where the geopolitical structure is local and the territory is as small as most counties out of state.
We need to consolidate all school systems by county, do away with loccal property taxes as the main means of funding, make the Boards advisory rather than elected and narrow the contracts down to a standard for all as well as pensions.
Why do we have to elect people to tell othher people how to teach? Why don't we have medical committees to tell people how to admister treatment to kids?
Elected school boards are just a political appendage like our appentix. There but not necessary.
The politicians have made a bureaucracy of schools and made us spend millions and the kids still can't make change.
Take charge of the political system, and you will take charge of the failures and stop blaming individuals and personalities that change but the system doesn't.
S
11:39 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Rags 1
As far as your deficit explanation and you’re raising the taxes problem you have a great grasp of the obvious and you are and excellent Monday morning quarter back
As for the friendship, emotions and party loyalties deciding elections I partially agree and certainly not based on facts I whole heartedly agree. This past election was based on fiction from the working families’ coalition and not real working families.
Now to really save money, regionalize the entire state, now we are talking about real savings. Just imagine the health plan savings alone of the entire state negotiating one plan for all the teachers. One union one negotiating team, one contract. Eliminate the strikes at school start up. The entire state with one curriculum is that at all possible. It would be much more difficult to have the union influence on the elections as well.
Sunshine
1:00 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
people with contracts have been fired, I have seen it be done, stand up, dismiss those who are not abiding by their contracts and hire someone who will.
STOP paying people to do nothing!!!
S
5:36 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
that is why they let Barham, Cirillo and Brown for they couldn't find anything wrong with their performance so they just fire them for no cause or put them on administrative leave. Where is the real outrage. This is not the teachers this is the unions and the John Faria and Paul Moura and Coogan and all the union hacks who are out to out their friends in place.
Kevin Oliver
1:16 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
We need to start holding everyone more accountable. Teachers, School Commitee Members, students.... It seems to me that the more we talk about this issue the further from the issue we get.Rossi openly admitted that the standards are set too high. Well in my opinion, there is no such thing. We seem to have forgotten that this country's educational system as a whole has fallen into the toilet since Bush's no child left behind crap......Teachers should be held accountable for the low test scores and the School Committee should be accountable for the whole ball of wax.
Cathy
1:48 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Kevin I agree with you. Sunshine, Dr. Cirillo was doing his job better then any other superindented we had in the past. He cared about the education our children where getting and he made everyone accountable.
This is a great lost to EP Parents and students. Watch the effect this will have. We are going to lose great people that care about education and the students. They will be leaving also. Parents are meeting tonight and let's just say they are not happy and they are ready to do something about it. Everyone that has written above ARE YOU?
taxpayer
12:53 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
Cathy....which people are we going to loose??? Do you have specific knowledge???
The people thet "Care" about education and students, you mean TEACHERS???
S
5:43 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
Teachers, why would you lose teachers they have it made, they are among the highest paid taking in account for benefits and pay including the low co-share most people in this city pay 50% percent or more for health insurance if they have it. Or of they have a job.
We are going to lose the people who truly care about the schools and education. Remember there was never a 5% pay cut for teachers be perfectly clear there was not a pay cut, it was a 5% yes 5% pay increase that was not given. imagine teachers union expecting a 5% pay increase while RI has 10.9% of the working force unemployed. BE VERY CLEAR THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE NEA and as far as they are concerned the kids and education DO NOT MATTER. As far as this school committee is concerned the kids and education do not matter.
taxpayer
7:20 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
"S"
Really??? A 5% pay increase???
FACTS are FACTS; look it up! East Providence Teachers ARE the lowest paid in Rhode Island!
They received a 5% unilateral pay cut!!! It was in all the papers and on Dan Yorke, so you must have heard about it!
On the other hand the 21 administrator contracts given out by lame duck school committee did include increases!!!
Rumford Resident
8:59 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
Taxpayer
Please point to your proof that EP teachers are 'the lowest paid". Just because you keep repeating it, does not make it a fact.
The reality is that the teachers received a 2.5% pay INCREASE, and then received a 5% cut, making the all in effect a 2.5% cut.
Taxpayer, can I ask a basic question, 'If the EP teachers are the lowest paid, why don't they go to another city or town and make more money???"
The answer is simple. They aren't the lowest paid.
And if they are the lowest paid, we must have really poor teachers in EP. Right?
This is America right? Labor is mobile and can move to find more salaries and benefits. Right?
So stop saying they are the lowest paid as we all know that to be a lie.
The only truth taxpayer is that this school committee is run by Vinhateiro, Moura, Faria, Lawson, etc. etc. etc.
The crew that brought EP to the brink of bankruptcy, only to be put off while Tony Carcieri brought fiscal responsibilty.
But like Greece, Ireland, Spain, etc, EP will soon be officially bankrupt.
We are already ethically bankrupt with the 5 stooges on the council and the 5 stooges on the school committee.
S
8:16 am on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Hey taxpayer please pay attention to what is written and understand it correctly. I never said the teachers or anyone else recieved a 5% pay increase I said that the teachers never recieved a 5% pay decrease it was a 5% percent scheduled increase on an expired contract that they did not recieve. If you go and look at the (public records) salaries of the teachers not a single teacher recieved a pay cut.
On the other hand the administrators did recieve a 5% percent pay cut. Please take the time to go and look at the public records and check it out for your self.
The 21 contracts that the "lame duck" committee passed out do not contain pay increases they do have step increase just like the teachers contract does.
Maybe you went to EP high with among the highest paid teacher (again look it up) and don't know how to do research.
taxpayer
7:33 am on Friday, June 24, 2011
"S"
"it was a 5% percent scheduled increase on an expired contract "
Sort of like the $10,000 I won on a loosing lottery ticket! How can an expired contract give a pay increase?
"RUMFORD"
"The answer is simple. They aren't the lowest paid. "
FACTS are FACTS...according to 2010-2011 data EP Teachers start at the lowest salary in Rhode Island, and at top step, they are still the LOWEST!
Why don't they leave? Maybe they are dedicated to EP Kids. or maybe if you haven't noticed, there are not alot of jobs available in Rhode Island.
Maybe in your world, a professional with a Masters degree would leave teaching to work at McDonalds or Wal-Mart, but not in the real world!!!
Ponder this for a while; A newly graduated teacher can apply to EP or earn $5-9,000 more elsewhere. Where do they apply?
Rumford Resident
9:59 am on Friday, June 24, 2011
Taxpayer
Thanks for reminding me that is 'all about the kids'. I'll write that down so I don't forget. As we all know, the NEA and teacher unions want us to remember that it is always 'all about the kids'. Lets all remember that.
Its not about teacher accountability. The NEA wants no governance of how teachers are measured.
Your points about how great teachers are would make sense if we didn't live through Central Falls last year. That proved what union public school teachers are really made of.
Or how about yesterday, when we learned that in Providence, 1/3 of the teachers call in sick all the time. How much does that cost??
Bottom line is the union teachers over played their hand. Its hard to be sympathetic to a union that still has a job with salary and benefits while others are being laid off, outsourced to India, or see their plant closed and moved to China.
Business is leaving this state and will never return because we have had a hack Democrat leadership for 100 years in state and local government.
Right to work states have thrived (New Hampshire just voted to become right to work).
The unions killed the US auto industry. The teachers union have sucked us dry (we spend twice as much on education spending today than in 1983 when 'A Nation at Risk' was publised about the state of US public education).
Throwing money at this current crop of NEA and union hack teacher is not the solution.
A rebirth with school choice is needed
Rags 1
1:13 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
Rhode Island is small enough to have one statewide teachers contract, standard training and goals for greater student achievement, central purchasing and fleet management etc. etc..
One Commissioner of Education and a much smaller administrative staff.
School funding would be a mixed funding source including internet sales taxes, assessments and
revenue from gaming and federal funds.
We would save money through efficiency, not necessarily on the backs of the employees; but rather,
in an equitable way statewide where the legislature can't duck the issue.
If we need an elected school committee, let it be one or by counties.
Education is expensive only if you grind out dumb kids.
S
5:50 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
Yes Rags one statewide contract and one statewide educational curriculum one statewide school administrator the savings would be astronomical. The problem the local unions would lose their control over the school committees. Val Lawson would have to deal with real people instead of John Faria and Paul Moura and John Rossi.
The entire state can be handle with one administration and the board of regions and eliminate all these tiny little people who have taken their self imposed power the a new level.
Cathy
10:56 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
Taxpayer, we are going to loose educators that love what they do. Not what the NEA is telling them to do. This city is so backwords. They say they care of the education of our kids, they don't. Only care about themselves. They want to come into work do what they want with no accountablity and no one telling them what to do. Get paid and that is all. Parents are don't say anything because they know it will be taken out on their kids. Please do say that doesn happen because it does. I have witness it. Always saying they are the lowest paid in this city. THEN LEAVE and go somewhere else. Taxpayer have had enough. No one can think for themselves or fight for what they believe in. People in charge in this city are ALL puppets. WHO the hell does Tsonos think he is to act like the superindenent at EP High graduation and pass out the diaploms. Who died and made him in charge. Shame and the loser are the kids. Anyone want to buy a home in EP? I'm getting out with my kids. This city sucks!!!
taxpayer
7:16 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
Cathy, right on target as always!!!
Carceiri passed out diplomas last year, but I guess he's special. And let us not forget the drinking party that Cirillo, Carceiri and Barham had after graduation 2 years ago.
Keep up the good work, you only help prove how out of touch you really are.
Rumford Resident
9:09 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
I'm surprised Kleyla didn't pass out the diplomas....
She is the liason from the council to the school committee right???
Maybe she could address the grads in EP about facebook? And how civil rights leaders called her out for having the 'n' word on her page?
Or maybe she could talk to the grads about the importance of gay marriage? and how she brought it up, and then suddenly dropped the issue?
The good news taxpayer is that we all know who is in charge of the city now....And who to blame when we get our tax bills, have a ratings agency downgrade, and file for bankruptcy.
But don't worry. Katie, and Mayor Rogers, and Asst Mayor Rose are on the case and will solve all of our problems.
And Tsonos, Furtado, and Tellier, and Rossi and Abedecola have our kids top of mind....IT IS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS!!!
Folks like me and Tony can move away.
The rest of the residents of EP are truly suckers and deserve what is heading your way.....
S
2:00 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
has anyone watch the replay of the meeting? Mary Texiera gets up and says you took 5% from me this is what we do to you. I guess we know who is in charge here. This school committee should not be setting educational curiculum or be involved in education in anyway there are highly trained and educated people in the administration to do that. These morons can't even understand education. Tsonos passing out diplomas how pathetic is that. He is like a little kid searching for attention and aceptance in the John Faria world.
You people are in deep trouble going in the direction you are going allowing this school committee to systematicly tear the educational institution in East Providence down they way they are going. Keep letting Val Lawson and the NEA dictate the way and you will all lose.
Tonya Borello
2:01 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
Cathy it is tough to take your comments seriously when you make little to no effort to ensure your grammer is correct or your spelling for that matter. Puppets?really??
S
2:10 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
Tonya there you go again
Why don't you look beyond the grammar (not grammer) and the spelling and look at what is happening. Yes puppets they are puppets Val Lawson and the NEA along with John Faria Paul Moura are dictating what this school committee is to do and when.
East Providence is going to lose a lot of very good people. teachers and administrators because of these idiotic moves the NEA has dictated this school committee to do. I hope they all sue the bejesus out of the school department and the city. Mark my words this is just the beginning. Don't forget the NEA and Val Lawson need their people in place for the negotiations coming up shortly. Lets see how good and what side Rossi is really on. We all know what side her husband is on.
Tonya Borello
3:31 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
"Grammer" is me making my point genius. "Val did this Val did that, NEA this NEA that" WHERE ARE YOUR BINKIES?!?!?
S
5:06 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
of course it is and grammar is me spelling in correctly for you. if your happy with the unions taking over then good for you I am not. I think this school committee like the city council is wasting time on problems that do not exist. get to the real problems and stop trying the hide behind issues that Val or the NEA wants taken care.
Hey but thanks for recognizing my genius, and I was never allowed a binkie as a baby, maybe I could be just like you if I was. Seems to me with your binki statement your a Coogan lover. Oh well
S
5:08 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
spelling "it" correctly for you ... just wanted to fix that so you could understand it.
that comes with my genius thanks again
EFT
6:48 am on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Mr Tellier has big plans for Mr. Feola. He is following the road of his mentors, Bob dasilva and John Faria pretty well. The interim superintendent- Daft, will probably be made into super w/ this SC. Like the mother who expressed her frustration with the spec dept, Mr Cirillo, I express my frustration when I had one encounter w/Daft while principal @ EP High School. Reached out to him for assistance and he turned his back on my son. You have to have your head in the sand, or have been away from EP if you don't believe that this SC has been completely bought by the NEARI-Val, BoB Dasilva and yes, John Faria. However, we as taxpayers allowed them to get away with it. Val, may be pres of the EP teacher's union, but I can honestly say, as a teacher, there is much to be desired. I had two children who had her as their teacher. Neither graded her highly as a teacher. If she spent more time trying to be a good teacher and less as a union activist, perhaps she would be a good teacher.
S
11:28 am on Friday, June 24, 2011
Tax payer you need to stop making up false hoods and use some real facts
Fact Cirillo was at 142
Fact the avg salary for a superintendent in RI is 147,342
Fact the highest paid superintendent in RI is 205,494
Fact the teachers pay in RI is well above (by 10,000.00) then the avg in the state of RI stop you belly aching and understand fact from fiction. These numbers come from you very own Robert Walsh
taxpayer
3:32 pm on Friday, June 24, 2011
"S"
My data is for 2010-2011; the NEARI website info is for 2008-09.
Let us not forget, in 2009 the then school committee unilateraly reduced teacher salaries by 5%!
Soooo....
If you pay has been cut by 5%, then you are not receiving the same pay as you were before.
Cirillo also recieved $18,000 in an annuity, plus other benifits...the $147 you quote is including all compensation as average for RI.
FACT is he is one of the highest paid supers in Rhode Island.
S
6:10 pm on Friday, June 24, 2011
Taxpayer once agian you do not know what you are talkng about, it is a direct comparison if you don't like it sorry, if it doesn't fit your lies sorry.
S
1:17 pm on Friday, June 24, 2011
"What luck for rulers that men do not think."
-- Adolf Hitler
Concerned
2:19 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
$
Exactly what has this SC done for the teachers, Val, or DaSilva? I have watched every meeting, seen every agenda, read every article, and am completly unaware of what you are refering to. I do see them asking for and requesting reports from Cirilo meeting after meeting. He dodges the requests at every turn. Enlighten me. I'm sure the teachers would love to know what they've gotten back too. You're the only one who seems to know about any of this.
Concerned
4:27 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
Fact the avg salary for a superintendent in RI is 147,342
Fact the highest paid superintendent in RI is 205,494
Submitted by $
These figures are absolutely inaccurate.
The fact that you are using false data to ty and support your viewpoint says it all.
Fact:
Barham's position eliminated=savings forever after this year
Cirillo benched = savings-he was increasing the debt every day he went into work
Reorganization by new SC = savings...this reorganization does not create many new administrative jobs like the last committee's reorganization.
I did not elect the present SC to develop educational goals for the school department. That would be the job of the Super.
It is their job to make sure the Super they have in the position is up to the task.
They see that he can't = JOB WELL DONE SC!!
Rumford Resident
12:19 am on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Concerned
Thanks for your 'facts"! Reality they are all NEA BS!
FACT: Dr Cirillo implemented Bradley Partnership. Deborah Gist said this is seen as a role model nationally. Will this SC end the partnership with Bradley?
FACT: Prior SC brought sanity to teacher comp. How did this add to the deficit that was there when Dr Cirilo inherited a deficit?
FACT: Dr Cirillo and prior committee budgeted more money on technology, text books, and school repair. What are this SC priorities?
FACT: Dr Cirillo and Lonnie Barham championed a referendum for a bond issue to repair our schools. Who will manage this strategic plan? A hack friend of a union hack?
FACT: This SC has done nothing! Brought recess back? FACT: It never went away!
FACT: Concerned and Taxpayer are teacher union apologists.
taxpayer
8:13 am on Sunday, June 26, 2011
"Rumford"
FACT: Bradley partnership is a plus for the district
FACT: ALL of the current school committee championed the bond issue, joined by concerned parents including Mrs Streit and Mrs Andrade!
FACT: This school committee brought FULL DAY K to Francis and Waddington!
FACT: Dr. Cirillo has obstructed and impeded the current school committee for the past six months.
NON-FACT: Prior SC brought sanity to teacher comp.
FACT: The prior SC was so concerned about children that they bussed the littlest ones from the Oldham school neighborhood, to Myron Francis in Rumford! Making 6-7-8 year olds ride on a bus for an hour or more benifits them how??
FACT: Cirillo added $1.2 million of jobs fund monies to the budget this year even though Commissioner Gist told districts not to!
FACT: Dr. Cirillo wants an addition to the high school due to the "overcrowding". Current enrollment is @1,400 students....historically the enrollment has been over 2,000...and now it's "overcrowded"? Oh that's right, his addition plan included more office space for administrators!
and lastly;
FACT: I am not now, nor have I ever been a member of a union!!!
Concerned
11:50 am on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Rumford
In earlier postsd you continue to state that this new SC has done nothing but given back to teachers and that they do Val's bidding. I asked you to tell us what those things are. You didn't answer. You merely conrinued with thee odd rantings with mistruths.
And why do you find it so hard to believe that most of the people who voted your grooup out are not union members. We just don't despise them the way that you do. We don't blame them for the mismanagement of former councils, for the condition of the economy, and mostly not for the the loss of revenue in this state and country because of the huge tax breaks and loopholes given the wealthier of us. Nope- we don't think that we should call teachers (most making a modest salary for the majority of their career) pigs. I reserve that description for a particular "party" that continues to want more at a great cost to our society as we know it. Truly sad. But I am encouraged however. East Providnce voters are among many national iniciatives that are not going to let it continue! We voter spoke loud and clear. You just need to listen so not to continue appearing foolish.
Rumford Resident
11:56 am on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Concerned
I think your spin comes right out of Greece. Or Central Falls. I'm not sure the mentality is so close.
Let me put in terms I think you can understand.
If I gave you $10k to invest, would you give it Tony Carcieri? Or Steve Furtado?
I would much rather depend upon someone who has a proven track record of accomplishment. Not beholden to unions or a party.
I think I asked in earlier posts for a detailed summary of what this school committee has done in 7 months?
Let me know when you can provide that.....
I know about recess? Still waiting on anything else that wasn't left for them from the prior school committee
taxpayer
12:44 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Rumford
You ask who would you give $10,000 to invest for you, Carceiri or Furtado?
Well given that 3 of the 4 budgets Carceiri was responsible for, including this years, resulted in adding MILLIONS to the deficit! I think that choice is clear!!!
You continue to denounce Mr. Vinhatiero, Dr. Ramos and MR. Rodericks...why???
If I didn't know better I would think that the 30+ years that Manny and Izzy dedicated to our students meant nothing. I guess you think it is better that we give our dollars to Barham for his 5 years or Cirillo for his 3 years service to East Providence.
Rumford Resident
1:45 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Taxpayer
Vinhateiro (squared) had a father in law on the SC for years. so the father in law can hire, negotiate, put friends and family into jobs.
So, Vinhaterio now has a 6 figure pension (which will grow and grow and grow), and double dips. Sorry, but that is why we are going broke.....
That is the history of EP schools.
Rodericks is a 'journalist' for the reporter now, pushing union drivel out as if it is unbiased.
Ramos sued the city!!!!! After benefiting all of those years, he didn't get a nepotism job, so he sued the city!!! and lost!!! And we are supposed to respect that.
these 4 say it is all about the kids. That is truly a crock.
They are a major reason for the deficit that was there when Tony took over.
Unfortunately time ran out.
The good news is that the city is going belly up and time will not be in favor of these 4
Concerned
2:00 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
"The good news is that the city is going belly up "
My goodness!
You sound like some national republicans who are threatening to let our country go into default by not votin to raise the debt ceiling. Very very stupid- they have no idea of the consequences of that
Rumford Resident
2:13 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Concerned
You sound like Obama. The reason why we are in debt is because government doesn't spend enough.
How is that stimulus working out for you? We spent a trillion dollars and what do we have to show for it?
I'll try to make my point so even you can understand.
The good news is that when we go bust, the union contracts and pensions can be negotiated to reasonable numbers. We can cleanse the unrealisitic spending of Vinhateiro, Faria, Moura, Ramos, etc.
Concerned would say that it is a good thing to raise the debt ceiling, borrow from my grandchildren, so union hacks can keep theirs.....
sorry, but economics are against you.
Just ask your neighbor who is from Greece. Or Ireland.... Or Portugal.... Or Central Falls.
You cant borrow forever, give it to the governement and expect the economy to grow.
Concerned
4:06 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
I never said why the debt was created(although that would be the deregulations that allowed the greed
of banks, mortgage companies, and Republicans to make insanely stupid mistakes).
Nor did I sy anything about the stimulus- which all economists agree if had not been implemented , the crisis would have been far worse
Nor did I mention the bailouts of the banks and car manufacturers using taxpayer $ (nobody bailed out the average Joe)
And 8 yars of a Rpublican president took us from 0 deficit to this - a mess Obama has inherited and Republicans won't work with- they refuse to play....they took their balls and went home this week
But, just to enlighten you, if this country or state goes bust (as you put it) everything's over-jobs, pensions, banks, 401ks, any and all businesses
One last thing- this is not Greece, Ireland, or Portugal- we have a strong middle class full of hard working, skilled workers who will not stand by and let business backed Republicans take what they want.
Just curious, which Republican are looking to for leadership? National or local! LOL
Rumford Resident
7:07 am on Monday, June 27, 2011
Concerned,
Last time I checked, the banks paid back TARP and the feds made a profit. GM took the money and ran after paying off the union and screwing bond holders.
Bush was left a recession by Clinton. Remember the high tech bust. I will not defend Bush's spending, as that is what caused the 2008 recession, along with Barney Frank, Fannie, Freddie, and the Dems wanting everyone to own their own home.
As to who I think is strong in the national Republican field, I would look at Chris Christie, and other strong governors in VA, TX, FL, WI, OH, etc. These are true reformers who recognize how public service unions need to be reigned in. Locally, like Avedesian, Fung, Doherty, Loughlin
May I ask who you like nationally? Cicilline? Kennedy? Weiner? Frank?
How about locally? Kleyla? Rogers? Rose?
Demographics have moved populations to states run by Republicans. And away from union friendly welfare states.
Concerned
12:18 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
I would give it to neither. Neither was sits on the council to invest money. You see, that was the problem. Carcieri thought it was the job of the council to do such things. They are supposed to hire and oversee the best administrators who are qualified to the job.
Steve Furtado knows this- that's why they have dismissed two of the administrators who made very bad financial errors. The deficit continues to grow with no recommendations or plans to stop te bleeding.
Now they can do their job as SC members, put put the right people in those positions, and truly help this city get this under control- not use "funny" math and accounting practices to hide it.
taxpayer
12:48 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
And concerned, did you notice elsewhere on the Patch that Mr. Furtado was recognized by the RI Assoc of School Committees for attending a Leadership Training Program.
Rumford Resident
1:39 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
So what was the point of a leadership program if the only job of the SC per your posts is to hire a superintendant and walk away?
Concerned
12:23 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
And I never claimed to be able to provide such a list. Again, initiatives to improve the system or cut spending come from a Super- not the council. You are absolutly right, we've gotten nothing from Cirillo for the past 7 months- guess thsat's why he in now unemployed
Still waiting for your list though.
Rumford Resident
6:55 am on Monday, June 27, 2011
I would take EP into the equivalent of Chapter 13. Similar to New Haven CT, Chelsea MA, and other communities that were decimated by years of Democrat leadership.
My list would start with a school choice voucher system. this would allow parents to place their kids in either public or private schools, with the cost per pupil made available by the district. We need competition in education in EP.
Teacher contracts would be negotiated to market conditions. Pensions would be moved to a 401k equivalent.
I would continue the partnership with Bradley Hospital.
As for getting nothing from Cirillo, I would say just the opposite. We have had a city council and school committee that has done NOTHING for 7 months now. Democrats have a 10-0 majority, and have zero accomplishments....Save for a deficit elimination committee who will seek a double digit tax increase to save all of the hack jobs and benefits....
taxpayer
6:52 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Rumford;
The point is that true leadership comes from seeking answers and asking questions; and then using the information to create policies that improve our childrens education, and manage the taxpayer's money.
"Hire a superintendent and walk away"? Isn't that what Carceiri, Santos and Faria did? They never asked a single question during the last term; and approved a budget that was over $1.2 million in deficit before this year even started.
Ask the investors at Enron what happens when you allow the so-called professionals to run the finances without any checks or balances or questions from the Board.
Rumford Resident
6:59 am on Monday, June 27, 2011
Forget about Enron.
Look at failed governments in Detroit, Chicago, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC
What do they all have in common?
They are all run by Democrats for close to 100 years.
Oh, and you can throw, Providence and the State of RI into that sample as well.....
What questions has this council or school committee asked? What is their plan?
Look at Warwick....Run by a Republican, and living through the same economy locally. And each able to manage a budget better than in the rest of the state