Half way but hard climbing ahead

After 3 productive meetings (8 hours total) we completed 20 articles and got more than half way through the warrant. TM adjourned until JUNE 15th which seems ridiculously late in the fiscal year (which ends June 30), but there it is. This late date was decided because we won't have enough clear budget/revenue information until then so we're holding out, or waiting. It seems the longer we wait the worse the numbers get. I guess we can hope for State leadership to come up with some revenue enhancement ideas (read taxes) but even if they do, in my opinion we are going to face serious reductions in services AND we're going to have to take responsibility for our own future (read taxes).

TM members have been very diligent about their responsibility and have shown up on time and each night we have had a quorum (which allows us to start) just a few minutes after our proposed start time (7:30pm) And the comments from the floor have been respectful and generally helpful. There is a predictable tension in the body regarding how long to debate (call the question: I doubt it) and there is a difference of opinion about how to spend CPA money but the democratic process gets us to a vote, and we move on. It seems strange to discuss spending money on land for open space purposes or a tomb reconstruction when we know other committees are grappling with drastically cutting programs and even closing a school. But designated funds are just that; designated. We can't use that CPA money to fund our schools no matter how much we wish we could. I spoke on the floor of TM about how proud I was of our community that we honored our rich heritage now during our 250th anniversary by caring for things like our history (West Cemetery and the Civil War tablets). While the larger town/school budget is going to be painful, it seems to me these CPAC decisions are a worthy investment.

May is a busy month in school for the kids with lots of activities, including MCAS testing, so getting out to TM has been tricky. The more efficient we are the better. Perhaps pushing the rest of TM to 6/15 could be one way to really test our efficiency!

Spring 09 TM is well underway

Spring 09 TM has started with lots of new members and is being well attended. Monday we had about 80% attendance, which is great. We met Monday and Wednesday night and managed to get through even more articles than our Moderator predicted, since we went past the motion sheet handed out. The mood of the body has been serious and business-like. Although a few amendments had to be made, mostly the articles have been approved as presented. We tackled a bunch of housekeeping stuff and only a few zoning articles about taxi service zoning and downtown parking districts (which won't creep in to residential streets now that it's amended) and some work to increase residential density in downtown and village centers. All our money or budget articles are still to come. This coming Monday we will tackle the CPA spending and then we will put off our big bad budget decisions until June 1st.
As you walk in to the Middle School to go in to the auditorium, there are 2 large beautiful white crab-apple trees that smell glorious. Going inside in this weather has been a drag, but as long as the body move along purposefully to actually get the work done, I don't mind too much.

Alberto Rodriguez hired as next superintendent

It wasn't easy, but the SC had enough votes to hire Florida Rodriguez as superintendent. There was some drama and strong opinions shared, but the majority of the SC had confidence in him and I share that confidence. He has experience and passion for helping kids succeed and will offer a perspective that frankly we haven't seen here. I do hope that ALL members of the SC and our community can come together around this decision and we can move forward with the agenda of getting through this economically challenging time and improving our schools all at the same time. 

Sup candidate Rodriguez of Florida

I enjoyed meeting Dr. Rodriguez who brought along his wife from Florida. He spoke passionately about his work helping to close the achievement gap in the schools he has lead and yet he had a calm and measured approach. I wondered why he would want to leave Florida after spending his whole life and career there and he said he feels they have lost thier focus, and he is attracted to Amherst for our energy toward our schools. Unlike the other candidates, he doesn't have the same experience of being a superintendent of a district our size, but he certainly has broad experience that I think could be a dynamic fit for us. He has a unique perspective that could help shake up our system and yet appears to be a humble, kid-focused educator who could work with a broad group of people.

Sup Candidate Sklarz

I was hugely impressed with Sup Sklarz. He has been refining his craft for many years, in impressively different places like Charleston SC, Santa Cruz CA and West Hartford. He really gets the issues we are facing and in fact is dealing with them creatively in his present post. He has vision for schools, for kids, for teachers. He is exciting, dynamic and even funny. I left the interview enthused and hopeful. hmmm, where else have I had that feeling lately? (yes we can, yes we can)
Now we need to wait until after the break for the last candidate, Rodriguez from Florida.

Interviewing the Sup Candidate: I. Rodriguez

Last night at least 50 parents came out to meet Isabelina Rodriguez who is presently the Sup over in Northampton. She came across as a very nice woman who says she is loyal, committed and loves kids. She told us she has been having a similar experience (with budget cutting and possible school closing) and that would translate well for her to take on our school system. She seemed to me to be a very earnest, sincere and nice person. I don't really feel comfortable "grading" her until I meet the other candidates. But I am really glad to see so many interested parents take the time out to participate in this process. I plan to attend the other interviews.

My first TM term is up

So my first 3 year term on Town Meeting is up. Surprisingly I've enjoyed my experience serving on TM and I'm glad neighbors like Mary Snyder encouraged me to serve. So I've decided to offer myself again and my neighbors in Precinct 8 will have to decide if I'll be staying. I asked my husband if he was interested (instead of me) and he quickly declined. I've asked my friends and neighbors to join me. Not too many are willing/able and I understand that. This looks like it could be a very important year due to the budget constraints, the decisions facing the schools and the emergence of the Master Plan as a tool to guide decisions. I would like to be a part of this process.