Brian Medeiros took a break from unfair attacks against TCC and unreasonable demands for elected officials to step down before they’ve actually done anything, last Saturday, to offer his reasons for his activism. Look past his vague and unsubstantiated claims that “there’s no shortage of people who want to move here” and focus on this heartfelt testimony:
I can say that with both of my kids, our experience with Tiverton schools has been remarkable. Nothing’s perfect, and I sometimes may have an issue with the school department, but given the enormous challenges they face, I believe that overall, our schools serve our town and our kids well. Like most services, education isn’t just an expense, but an investment in our own future. I speak not in political terms, but as a parent of a 7-year-old who loves his school, loves his teachers, loves his classmates, and is doing phenomenally well. I see every day the hard work of dedicated professionals.
As well meaning as they may be, folks like Mr. Medeiros will soon find themselves fighting a rear-guard action to preserve a shell of the services that they characterize TCC as attempting to dismantle. To the contrary, TCC is working — and withstanding the vitriol and defamation that such activity inevitably draws — to ensure that his children see their educational opportunities increase, rather than deteriorate. As a former member of the Town Council, Medeiros bears minimal responsibility, but during his time in local government, this was the trend in school district funding:
At the latest PTO meeting for Pocasset Elementary School, Principal Fran Blaess noted that the school lacks the funds to replace a broken ring in its playground. And yet, the district’s working budget documents (PDF) call for more than a half-million-dollar increase in salaries, with another $200,000 increase for medical benefits. When the administration and School Committee do speak of decreasing payroll, they always lead with layoffs — equivalent to a reduction in services and programs. They don’t want to presume even to appear to be unilaterally dictating contract terms.
Well, they should be dictating terms, and they shouldn’t see their action as unilateral. They should see it as backed and supported not only by taxpayers who, themselves, have been watching their incomes shrink, but also by parents who are dispirited that they must pay for private school in order to procure the services that they enjoyed in public schools as children.
As nerve wracking as it may be, sometimes the boat has to be rocked, not to destroy it, but to save it.
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