Errr...Excuse Me, Can Someone Explain Why Our School Ranking Sucks?

I received the email below last evening.  I clicked on the enclosed link and found a chart of all the Massachusetts school systems, listed in according to rank as well as their proficiency in English, Math, and Science, their 4 year graduation rate, and the spending per student.

"This is so wrong......why is this not an issue in town?
Tantasqua Sr High (acedemic) #96 of 344 - .......nice
Southbridge High #306 of 344
Tantasqua Vocational #314 of 344  REALLY!

Tantasqua's student/ teacher ratio 10.2
Tantasqua Vocational student/ teacher ratio 26.6

http://www.golocalworcester.com/news/chart-massachusetts-top-high-schools-2013-from-1-to-345/

                                                                                                        -- Alan Curboy"

The most interesting ranking is for the Vocational School at 314.  It ranks smack dab in the middle of schools from Lynn, Roxbury, Worcester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, Fall River, Lawrence, East Boston, Chelsea, Charlestown, Everett, Boston Lowell, and Revere.  All inner city schools, and then there's Tantasqua Vocational School.

As Big Bird used to sing, "One of these things is not like the other.  One of these things just doesn't belong."

I am totally in the dark on this one, so if you can, please enlighten us.



Tantasqua Senior High

Enrollment: 784
Proficient or higher English Language Arts: 95%
Proficient or higher Math: 85%
Proficient or higher Science: 74%
Reading SAT: 518
Writing SAT: 495
Math SAT: 543
Student / Teacher Ratio: 10:2
4 Year Graduation Rate: 86.9%
Spending Per Student 2011-2012: $12,611

Tantasqua Regional Vocational 

Enrollment: 405

Proficient or higher English Language Arts: 87%

Proficient or higher Math: 69%

Proficient or higher Science: 59%

Reading SAT: 482

Writing SAT: 445

Math SAT: 510

Student / Teacher Ratio: 26:2

4 Year Graduation Rate: 97.4%

Spending Per Student 2011-2012: $12,611

A Company Car, Stipends; What's Next?

Really?  Now, as our tax rate is through the roof the selectmen have voted to give themselves, and the members of the Board of Assessors, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Board of Health, and the Recreation Commission a stipend?

Meetings are the name of the game.  Suck it up, or step down, and pass the baton to another more willing to give of their time.

Do you  feel that the town should pay them for doing the job they were elected to do without a stipend?  Especially now?

City/town Sturbridge Fiscal Year 2013 Residential tax rate 17.95% Residential rank, statewide 45 Commercial tax rate 21.38% Commercial rank, statewide 79 Industrial tax rate 21.38% Personal property tax rate 21.38%

From the Worcester Telegram
April 30, 2013

STURBRIDGE - The Board of Selectmen voted in favor of giving stipends for themselves, as well as to the town moderator and all the members of the Board of Assessors, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Board of Health, and Recreation Commission.
In a 3-1-1 vote, selectmen approved an $850 stipend for each of its members, as well as a $200 stipend for the town moderator and each member of the other five boards.

In all, the selectmen voted to dish out $9,050. The voters will have the final say at the annual town meeting June 3.

At a special town meeting held June 8, 2009, the voters eliminated stipends for all boards, committees and commissions, beginning in fiscal 2010.

Chairman of Selectmen Thomas R. Creamer, who had never taken a stipend before, said the vast number of meetings that he and fellow selectmen attend justifies stipends. Selectmen Priscilla Gimas and Mary Redetzke also voted for the stipends.

“Already this year, the Board of Selectmen has had 20 meetings,” Mr. Creamer said. “At this point right here, I’ve already been to 36 meetings, and we are only a quarter of the way through the year.”

Mr. Creamer said he attended 76 meetings last year and 78 meetings in 2011, with 51 and 53 of those meetings, respectively, being Board of Selectmen’s meetings.

Selectmen Mary Blanchard voted against the stipends, and Selectman Mary Dowling abstained.

“I’m not in favor of the stipends at this time,” Mrs. Blanchard said. “We seem to be reluctant to pay our town employers who work every day, have meetings and also work extra hours. Yet we’re willing to give us a stipend. I think it really should come from a complete study.”

“I’m very much in favor of stipends,” Ms. Dowling said. “But I, too, would like to study it further.”

— Craig S. Semon  

Sunrise

I believe I have "fixed" the issue with some folks not being able to read some text on this blog because of the background.  I changed the color of the text, and I changed the background image.

The background image is not one of my own, although it well could be.  I chose it not only for what it offered graphically, but what it offered symbolically.  Sunrises can mean so many different things to people, but most often it represents renewal.

It can also symbolize a new begining.  Renewal is beginging the same thing again.  A rising sun renews itself each day, but it is only by choosing what we do with that new day can there be a new beginning.

A new start.  Brand new. Never done before.  No "re" anything.

New.

Time for a New Beginning.  Time to turn out those that have the "it's all about me" attitude, instead of the it's all about them commitment.

It's time to begin to work on the process of removing those that do not perform the way we want them do.  They garnered our votes, and their performance, attitude, and behavior has shown our votes were ill spent.

Those sitting behind the tables at the Town Hall do not rule us, they represent us.  We put them there to do just that, and when their behavior is such that it makes us uncomfortable, when their performance is making us poorer, and when their attitude is hurtful to others that have given so much to all of us, then no more renewals; we need to start over.

I am merely a catalyst, and my words in this post today will spawn more words in the comment section, but unless each comment offered is also accompanied by a suggestion for change, for this post, I will not post it.  Unless, your comment can offer something substantial in the way of fixing the problems we have seen, and read about here in Sturbridge, I will not bother to post it.  It would only be more of the same.  Nothing new, and you will have become part of the problem.

So, before you offer yours words of support, or non-support, think, and include what you believe can help us all.
.
One more thing; include your full name.  This is so important, and the time is so critical, that we do not want to play games with nicknames, and anonymous postings.  If you have a well thought out plan, or suggestion, or want to take an action to make this town better such as offering up your living room for a meeting with like minded folks, then own your words.  Own your actions.

Discontent is obvious, dissatisfaction, as well, but no more whining.  Keep in mind, there are those that know you will only keep belly aching, and accepting your fate.  Prove them wrong.

The sun is going to rise again, what are you going to do with it?

Crossed The Line

I don't think I have ever made a stand in favor of any particular person here in town before.  Yes, I've given my opinion about how I feel a person has performed, or has been treated, but never have I stood for, or against, the whole person.

Today, I will.

In August of 2000 I came to live in Sturbridge.  The first neighbor I met was Vernon Jackson.  "Butch", as he has always gone by, welcomed me to town in his own quiet style.  Butch is a quiet man, a loyal, and caring man.  He loves this town with all his heart, in fact, he was born right in a house on the Town Common.  Since that time, he served his country,  married the love of his life, had three children, and a whole bunch of grandchildren.  He has also been in each, and every home around the common, and elsewhere in town, helping with repairs, lending a tool, and his expertise.  Without out so much as a wince, he lent me tools, and his know how to help in my rehab of the house I once lived in.  He never expected anything in return, but instead he would invite me, and others to his house on the lake for a cookout.  He never asked for anything in return. He only gave.

He has been there to lend a hand, and to help, no matter what life has thrown your way, all his life.  That's just the kind of man he is.  Never negative.

One thing that I enjoyed hearing from Butch was the love of the towns fire department.  He was a Captain, had been on the department for decades,  and played Santa at Christmas time on the common.  His love for people showed in his commitment to keep them safe as a firefighter.

I had grown up in a town where a large group of us "townies" had begun to serve as volunteers on the fire, and police department at an early age.  I recognized the commitment, and love for the job Butch did at the fire department immediately.   That loyalty to the department, and his commitment to make others safe at risk to his own safety has only heightened my respect for Butch.

If you have ever had contact with the man, then you know I speak the truth, and if anything, I have not spoken highly enough of him.

Now, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, has had Butch terminated from his civilian position of Assistant to the Fire Chief he has held since January because, according to Butch, how he spoke up, and questioned the methodology, and conclusions of the report written by the consultant hired by the town.  He has also been accused of harassment by Tom Creamer.

"Harassment".   Really?  Butch Jackson?  I don't think so.  Explain this to me.

In addition to the debacle we have seen regarding our Fire Chief, and the recent announcement that he is retiring ASAP, we have the Chairman firing Butch in closed door session of the BOS.

Enough.  Now, I'm pissed.

Article published May 11, 2013 Veteran Sturbridge officer slams fire report Chief ousted after document released By Jim Russell CORRESPONDENT STURBRIDGE —  A longtime worker for the Sturbridge Fire Department is questioning the motives behind a controversial consultant study that resulted in the indefinite suspension of the town's fire chief. Vernon L. “Butch” Jackson, 77, a lifelong Sturbridge resident, claims the report is part of an effort by Thomas Creamer, chairman of selectmen, to reform the town's fire agency, but which instead is creating turmoil in the fire department and the town. Mr. Jackson also maintains that he was removed from his civilian position with the fire department because of his criticisms of the report's methodology and conclusions. Mr. Jackson served the fire department since 1952 and was captain for 36 years, until November. He was a civilian assistant to the fire chief from January until April 22. Mr. Jackson, of 10 Charlton St., is critical of the fire department study, which was completed March 28 by consultant Ernest Horn. In an interview, Mr. Jackson said the consultant asked his opinion the first week in April, after the study was published. The Horn report includes details of the department's organizational structure, noting there is a chief, a captain, seven full-time firefighters, 19 call firefighters and a part-time clerk, but it does not mention the assistant-to-the-chief role Mr. Jackson provided. In his “Fire Department Report/Operational Study 2013” to selectmen, Mr. Horn accused Sturbridge Fire Chief Leonard Senecal of a failure in leadership, saying numerous problems included “deplorable and negligent” equipment maintenance and “extremely poor morale” in the department. Chief Senecal says he has worked diligently to fix inadequacies. He says no deaths from fires in Sturbridge have occurred since 1984, and that no firefighter has been injured because of equipment failure at a scene. As with all department heads, he said, he has been under constant pressure to keep expenses down. Mr. Jackson said Mr. Horn showed potential bias by not contacting him until after the report was provided to selectmen. He said Mr. Horn telephoned him two days before the selectmen's April 5 public release of the report. Mr. Horn has refused to disclose with whom he spoke on the fire department. Selectman Mary Dowling had publicly pressed Mr. Horn for specifics, wanting to see responses to questions, to know whom he had talked to and what they said. At the April 16 selectmen's meeting, the consultant told Ms. Dowling the information was confidential. The selectman told Mr. Horn that made it impossible for her to verify information in his report. Mr. Jackson said he asked Mr. Horn about whether those who inspected the fire vehicles were properly trained, licensed and certified. He was not satisfied with Mr. Horn's responses. Mr. Jackson said when Mr. Horn telephoned him in April, he told Mr. Horn “morale was good” among the call firefighters. He said their conversation lasted about five minutes. The Horn report states there is “a complete lack of a successive command structure in the absence of a ranking department officer.” Mr. Jackson said that is untrue, that the chain of command was clearly written down and posted on the bulletin board. Mr. Jackson's civilian job with the fire department ended when selectmen axed him during a closed-door meeting April 22. Mr. Jackson said he was not informed by Mr. Suhoski or by selectmen that he was on the agenda for that meeting and was told after the meeting his job was gone. “When you do it behind closed doors and not even tell me, it is cowardly; it is illegal,” Mr. Jackson said. The retired captain said Mr. Creamer, instead of the town administrator, initiated an investigation of him involving an unsubstantiated “harassment” allegation. With the heading “Harassment,” Mr. Creamer sent an email April 11 directing Chief Senecal and Mr. Suhoski to investigate Mr. Jackson. “I have received a number of complaints suggesting that a civilian employee of the fire department — recently retired due to age well beyond the state mandate — is engaged in what has been described as `harassment' of on-duty members with respect to the study conducted by an independent subject matter expert … Please review this matter,” Mr. Creamer wrote. Records show that only one of the other four selectmen was copied on the Creamer email. Mr. Jackson said the investigation was retaliation. He said Mr. Creamer wanted to silence him for questioning the qualifications, methodology and conclusions in the Horn report. Mr. Creamer “is out of control. He is an embarrassment to the people of Sturbridge. He just does things regardless of the law. I can't figure out why. To serve 60 years and get thrown out like this is a disgrace,” the retired fire captain said. In a lengthy telephone interview this week, Mr. Creamer responded to Mr. Jackson's statements, saying it may have been a mistake to rescind his civilian position with the fire department during executive session and that the action should have occurred in public view. Mr. Suhoski said, “There is no exemption (to the state's open meeting law) that allows you to rescind an appointment in executive session — I have to take responsibility for that — it was a six-month appointment.” Mr. Creamer also said it was a mistake to have hired Mr. Jackson for the civilian role in January, saying, “Quite frankly, the creation of this position was a mistake on my part.” Asked if the harassment allegation had been substantiated, he said: “To my knowledge they were not,” adding, “I personally made no claims of harassment. I forwarded that to the town administrator.” The chairman said: “A number of individuals … said they were subject to what they called harassment. … The individuals themselves did not want to come forward because they were concerned about repercussions.” Mr. Creamer said his leadership is bearing fruit. “If you fix the problem head-on, you are always going to be accused of creating turmoil. I wish other selectmen and other town administrators created some turmoil,” he said. “Butch is entitled to his opinion. He served 12 years beyond his retirement,” Mr. Creamer said. “What's a disgrace is that since 2001, other boards of selectmen, former town administrators and the chief” looked the other way. “That to me is the aspect of someone being cowardly, partly because no one wants to upset anybody's feelings and hold anyone accountable to state laws. This board took action,” he said. Selectmen Vice Chairman Priscilla Gimas said Mr. Jackson “is sour grapes against the study,” adding: “if he was truly dedicated to the fire service, he would be worried about what should be done.” Mr. Suhoski said action on Chief Senecal's future is expected during a closed-door meeting Monday.  Order the Telegram & Gazette, delivered daily to your home or office! www.telegram.com/homedelivery Copyright 2013 Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp.

Sturbridge, Beware!

The following was submitted by a reader.--ed.


by Marilyn Desy

Having attended a kick-off for Route 20 improvements in Sturbridge/Fiskdale I must ask the registered voters in this town to please attend the upcoming town meeting.

 As soon as information is printed and available please read it very carefully. Life as we know it here could be about to change not only at our expense, but, to my mind, to our detriment. 

Can you imagine having 2 or even 3 rotaries within the span of  Route 20 at New Boston Road and the corner of Route 148 and Route 20 ?  Can you imagine one of the travel lanes on Route 20 being removed and made into a bicycle lane?  Can you imagine this span of road being tightened up to be come narrower? These are only some of the serious proposals, with monies being spent right now.

Would you approve of the destruction of Turner’s Ball Field to be used as a parking lot? That’s not as likely because they are presently turning the field around, yet its destruction was suggested by a Conservation Committee member at the meeting, and a member of the Planning Board said that if such a thing was done, we could just find another parcel and build yet another ball field.

$128,000 was approved at last year’s town meeting for consultants, engineering, etc. for kicking off these proposals. That money, or most of it, has already been spent.

There were just a couple of us that showed up and spoke up against most of the ideas. I was told pleasantly told that we really shouldn’t have shown up because we were not in favor of these projects.

This is not the Twilight Zone folks, it is real and coming unless we put a stop to it.

                                                                                   --submitted by Marilyn Desy