Letter to the Editor: Great Strides Made in Eliminating 'Us-Them' Attitude

To the Editor:

Two years ago the citizens voted me in to the School Committee.

From the start I have advocated that we need to remove the adversarial relationship that was prevalent at the time. I think with the first effort to collaborate with the town on maintenance, coupled with the new working School Committee relationship, got us started.

We have made great strides in eliminating the old “us–them” attitude. Further, we the School Committee were elected as representatives of the community, of which we are an integral part.

As Roger Kuebel has pointed out, this year’s budget reflects this change in relationship. I should like also to also point out the (Superintendent) Dr. (Michael) Harvey, through his due diligence, has cleaned up the accounting system leading to a high confidence level in our finances.

One of the School Committee accomplishments was to vote a policy that essentially will give back any excess money over an Excess and Deficiency amount of 3 percent. As you know, budgets to some extent are best estimates. The towns are the source of this money and I believe that if we do not use it, we should return it. I believe this nurtures a level of trust not seen in a long time. I should not want this momentum to change direction.

You will be given a choice this election. It would be totally counterproductive to vote in a member of the old regime. This would set back all the strides we have made.

In coincidence with this I am also running for Hamilton Selectman. Note that town counsel has stated that I can hold both offices. Being on both the School Committee and Hamilton Selectman will give me a unique position to continue this joint collaboration between the schools and the towns.

Bill Dery

Chebacco Road, Hamilton