Letter to the Editor: Questions to the School Committee

The following letter was submitted by Paul Antonangeli.

To the Editor:

After reading about the transportation forum in the Concord Journal to be held on Feb 1., I felt I had to write and ask the School Committee for the truth.

If we are looking to outsource transportation why was it proposed $90,000 for a new bus? (CCHS adopted 2012 budget) Did bid packages go out the day after the high school vote? Did the bids come back from Student First and Eastern Bus Co. in the $3 million range?

Why, if the present administration wants to downsize the maintenance department by two or possibly four people, did they need to spend $50,000 on a new truck — presently parked at transportation until it can be lettered — for the department? Since we are getting a new high school, was it necessary to spend $75,000 on new kitchen equipment at the old high school? Mostly, why if we are downsizing staff at the Ripley building are we spending money to build new offices in the little theatre?

After I looked at the proposed budget for CPS and CCRSD I can't understand why we would layoff hard working, dedicated people unless it was to make sure those at the top got their 3 percent. I have to give them credit though, this year's holiday party, paid for by the taxpayers of Concord, will not be served on the finest of china. They scaled back and are using the finest of Chinet. Enjoy the meal as it may be the last one they can slip in under the budget. Maybe it's time to find out what they really spend our tax dollars on because it is not all for educating the children of Concord.

Paul Antonangeli,

Concord