The Crumbling Foundation

If our schools are the foundation of our community, then why are they in such deplorable condition?  Where was the money spent that was allocated for maintenance?  Public buildings are just like private residences and need to be cared for.  Why should we have to pay now for the mismanagement of resources in the past?

Defeat this Phase 2 renovation plan and take another serious look at closing the Haigh!  It looks like there is no real need for it as a school in the future and savings in payroll and maintenance will have an effect on our tax rate, even though the School Department will find something else to spend any savings on.  The effect on the neighborhood students will only last as long as it takes the current first graders to move onto Junior High and probably not even that long as young children adapt to change readily.  Thousands of children change schools every year due to parents relocating.  Sell it to the town for a future police station!

I also can't support giving teachers raises when they are not educating our children to acceptable levels.  Get rid of the unions and start paying for performance.  Unions are controlling our town and preventing the town from operating efficiently.  Take a look at how many disciplinary actions are halted due to union intervention.  They aren't interested in the well being of our town.  They are interested in the union members only.  Join the union and get a job for life.

If the teachers were measured based on the progress of their students there is a good chance that Salem students will perform better in the future.  Merit raises work in private industry, make them work in public education!

Since I respect the opinion of others, my blog on the Salem School System, whether it be the foundation of our community or not, is open to comments.

Vote NO to the renovation plan and raises!