Sparsely attended school committee meeting, tonight. The only thing that has inspired note is the announcement of a retiring teacher. The notable thing is how young he looks.
That’s wonderful, by the way. I wish I’d found a career path that headed in that direction when I was young enough to take it. (As it is, I’m still searching.)
Of course, I’d disappoint my detractors were I to fail to mention that teachers shouldn’t take such benefits for granted. Most of us have heard the common understanding that public-sector jobs once paid under market value, so government bodies compensated with benefits and security. Now, especially in Rhode Island, it’s no longer a balance, but a tipping scale.
7:33 p.m.
Superintendent Bill Rearick is explaining the state’s newly proposed funding formula. As you might imagine, Mr. Rearick is not happy with it, but as I’ve already said, Tiverton should have expected to be among the districts that lost money.
Director of Administration and Finance Doug Fiore is explaining, however, that the state aid for next year looks likely to be calculated based on the current budget with stimulus funds included. Because the district had been predicting a 5% cut based on the budget without the stimulus, the district’s proposed budget is now only $500,000 over the tax cap.
7:58 p.m.
Nothing was resolved. Everybody wants more money, obviously. Some discussion of the fact that the news is relatively good, compared with expected cuts, but will seem less good in subsequent years.
Also, as I was typing, Supt. Rearick made an announcement that one of the unions (the town’s Council 94 local) agreed to reopen its contract because of the difficult economic times.
8:06 p.m.
And they’re done.
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