Barrington: The Healthiest Horse In Rhode Island's Glue Factory!

I read Steve Primiano's letter, " We Can't Sustain The Status Quo". I found myself agreeing with just about everything he wrote.

The teachers' raises, which have averaged about 6% over the last 25 years. That is the actual raises including the Cola's step increases and the increases for higher education. That means with cutting everything else, we look at 4-5% increase every year. It cannot be sustained.  

And as the communities throughout the state fall into financial ruin, you can hear them falling Thud, Crash, one by one. The outstanding prudent financial management has kept Barrington's head above wate

There are still measures to be taken to hold back the tide. measures that will make some people unhappy but we can raise a few hundred thousand more dollars.  Every dollar, I mean every dollar has to be picked up, and  not given away to outside interests.

If we are diligent, we will last longer than everyone else. But if you do not address the teacher contract in a full and substantial way it won't matter. A tsunami will overcome even the best swimmers.

We will hold out longer but we to will eventually go under. The math is inevitable.

About 60 percent of all dollars the town collects in taxes is spent to just the teachers contract. So, Steve, here is your problem as head of the Republican party in town:

The last teacher contract in town, signed in October of 2008, was signed when the evidence of upcoming financial problems were evident to everyone. It guaranteed that teachers would keep getting raises, and high steps and COLAs. For the state mandated 3 year limit.

At the time it was a questionable contract. In hindsight it was a very bad contract for the town. AND IT WAS SIGNED 9 MONTHS EARLY! Pushed through by the Republican-controlled School Committee in October before the new elections were announced and the Republicans fell from power. Chaired by the one person in town who feels that teachers need to be paid more. This is in the public record.

The same man, Patrick Guida, who chairs the school committee now, since the Republicans again have control. That contract is reason number one why are taxes go up and there is no denying it.

So Steve, I appreciate your letter. You are absolutely correct. We cannot maintain the status quo. It is the teachers contract that needs to be adjusted since it is 86% of the budget.

My question to you is: Can you get the Republicans to go along with you?