Letter To The Editor of The Standard Times.
On April 11, 2012, I personally attended a session held at Keith Middle School, to hear a presentation by the United Interfaith Action Group's, Educational Consultant, Dan French, on the small Autonomous Schools "Prospective and Proposal", for New Bedford's School District.
Needless to say, after hearing the Autonomous Schools proposal, by UIA's Consultant French, and having the opportunity to question him personally, there are no valid reasons for New Bedford's seven Elected School Committee officials to adopt or give Autonomous Schools, a Vote of Approval, and for the following reasons.
It is Important to note that during UIA's Consultant Dan French, public presentation, he gave instructive examples of what "Small autonomous Schools" would be, should be, how much resources, both financial, maintanance cost and other costs, yet to be determined, no dolllar figures for needed supplies, Utilities and other unknown factors, paid Administrators, including new and additional staff and teachers, who would pay Union dues, without Union Rights and Protections.
Where will all this money Come from?
There cannot be any overide of Proposition 2 & 1/2, for these flawed proposals and not sound educational ventures.
When I personally questioned consultant Dan French, on the financial costs and challenged him for a valid explanation, as to these autonomous schools absorbing and taking needed monies and resources from New Bedford's District School Budget, Dan French used words, such as "COST NEUTRAL", to describe the amount of money, while never giving a dollar amount.
There are no such School expenditures, that are "COST NEUTRAL".
"COST NEUTRAL", does not explain money value, and Consultant French further stated that an Autonomous School could be housed or located in the same public school buildings, such as Keith Middle School or any other public school.
Think about this for a moment, if there are failures at the Autonomous Schools (and there would be), the student goes back to New Bedford's Public Schools, but the money for these students do not follow them.
Recently I read an article published in the New York Post, and written by reporters, Yoav Gonen and Carl Campanile, which stated pertainng to Charter Schools in the State of New York, that very poweful politcal figures, including Harlem Assemblyman and Mahattan Democratic Party Chairman Keith Wright, would file legislation that would give 32 Community Educations district councils, the power to veto plans to put charter schools in buildings used by traditional public schools.
This New York legislative proposal limiting Charter Schools, is backed by both the New York Teachers Union and the National and New York Branches of the NAACP.
The National Association For the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), has a national policy which is "Against and Anti-Charter Schools".
This New York Legislative new proposed bill, includes blocking the openings of New Charter Schools.
Perhaps it is time for New Bedford citizens/taxpayers to request and demand of our local elected officials, State Legislators and Governor Patrick, that New Bedford recieve no further Charter Schools, or Charter Schools funding, and immediately put in place, a very strict admininistrative review and evaluation process for charter schools that presently exist in New Bedford and across the Commonwealth.
Why should requirements for the administration and evaluations of the Charter Schools be any different from our Public School System? After all Charter Schools are public taxpayer funded and supported schools.
In New Bedford, the legal granting authority for Autonomous Schools, as per State legislation, rests with the partnerships of the elected New Bedford School Committee, the Superintendent of New Bedford's Public School Disttrict, and the New Bedford Educator Association, (NBEA-Teachers Union).
Presently a vote of approval by all allowed participating parties is required, and cannot be determined at this stage of the game.
However, I do not believe, or think any proposal offered up for Autonomous Schools in New Bedford, is acceptable to the Teachers Union.
The hallmark in education, is the courage in this age, and at this time in New Bedford's history of conformity, is to stand up for what you believe, and more important, stand for what is right and best, for New Bedford's School children/students.
I further believe New Bedford has a good, challenging, rewarding and Improving educational system, under the leadership, direction and administration of Dr. Mary Louise Francis.
I also believe that the majority of parents, teachers and public-at-large, stands by, and totally suppports Dr. Francis as the Superintendent of the New Bedford School District.
Eddie L. Johnson
8 comments:
If the Uia wants these schools schools why don't their parishioners pay for the them?
Most of the people pushing these schools don't live in New Bedford. They don't want them in their backyards but they have no problem putting them in mine.
Eddie, of course these schools are cost neutral. Dan French said it, so it must be true. We all know that a high powered consulant from Boston would not withhold information so as to generate buisness for his company. We all know Dan works for free. I'm sure his motivation comes from love and not a desire to make more money. He didn't give numbers because he didn't want the good people at the meeting to get confused by all that useless information.
God bless Eddie.
Great letter Eddie. What does Dan French mean when he says it will be cost neutral? Is he in dreamland? All new ventures have start up costs.
These innovation schools are not cost neutral. That is an outright lie. Are we really back here again? If they want these schools so bad then why don't they try a district that has the money to spare it. I'm so sick of these conversations. We already have 2 charters. What have they done thus far to address the problems of this district? Nothing. They just drain money from our schools making it harder for us to do our jobs and address the needs of ALL the students including the ones no one else will take.
Dan French just made a presentation in Fall River at Talbot Middle School... cost a pretty penny to bring him in just to speak about the autonomous school proposal... I onder if the parishoners know where their donations are going?
While the Uia is destroying new bedford schools Dan French will be laughing all they way to the bank.
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