Bob Testa is a member of the North Stonington Board of Education and a recent candidate for first selectman.
The Day By BOB TESTA
N. Stonington needs the facts on its schools
At a recent meeting, the North Stonington Board of Education voted not to approve a letter proposed by Chairman Darren Robert that would end any further work on a feasibility study about the future of the school system and its high school. In creating the letter, the chairman had no input from other board members and it was not provided to the board prior to its public reading.
I fear my position voting against adoption of the letter, and my push to pursue a more accurate study, have raised concerns and led to confusion. I take this opportunity to address those concerns and clarify my position.
I am not advocating for the closure of our schools. I have always fought to provide the best education possible for our children, while fulfilling my obligation to taxpayers. I believe efforts should be focused on preserving our current school system by making informed decisions. Only in that way can the town meet the needs of its children now and into the future.
This does not mean ignoring the challenges facing our schools. The school board has received zero budget increases for the past two years and will probably be faced with a third straight zero increase. Our enrollment has seen significant declines and North Stonington is unable to provide the variety of academic, extra curricular and athletic programs offered by larger schools. The board is continually faced with the challenges of meeting changes in educational mandates and there is a clamor for a major building project. In light of these facts the board has an obligation to explore all options.
The intent of the feasibility study was to present an independent evaluation and inform the residents of the current status of the school system, provide a comparison to other schools, and help guide the board in deciding how to best meet the educational needs of its high school students— by investing in its existing high school or sending students to other high schools in the region. This information is one piece of data and was never meant to be the determining factor or looked at in isolation.
Unfortunately, the school district provided erroneous financial numbers and information for the study. I understand that there is an emotional connection to Wheeler High School and I also understand that there are those who are concerned about future employment. These are not reasons to make a study, which we paid for, rendered invalid by providing erroneous data.
Those hired to complete the study were informed that the cost of operating the high school was $2,724,138. Recent information provided by the superintendent’s office shows that the actual cost for operating the high school is more than $4.8 million per year. The study reported yearly savings of $20,368 to $436,530, however, by using the true operational costs, the savings could actually be $2 million to $2.4 million annually and these figures do not include the cost of any building project.
I must stress that any decision should be based on a multitude of factors, not just financial. However, we must acknowledge that finances are always a concern when utilizing taxpayer dollars. There is no need to manipulate the data if there is such confidence that we offer the best educational option. The board and administration must be prepared to withstand any scrutiny and justify the added costs to the taxpayers.
North Stonington can only have stability within its school system and community if elected officials are honest and transparent about the situation the town faces. Myself and other board members have been criticized for insisting that the study information be truthful and accurate. The motives of those individuals who seem to be afraid of the truth should be questioned, not those of us who are trying to properly represent this community.
North Stonington residents need all the facts before deciding such an important issue. If that happens, I will support whatever decision is made.
01/22/2012
Wyassup Dam repairs have begun. The Lake will be lowered to allow construction repairs and is anticipated to continue throughout the Spring and Summer with ...
www.northstoningtonct.gov/Pages/.../FB119C8F-3B9ACA00?...
01/25/2012
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to North Stonington Bible Church Building Fund, PO Box 28, North Stonington, CT 06359. Arrangements are in the ...
www.legacy.com/obituaries/theday/obituary.aspx?n...ann...
01/25/2012
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Second Baptist Church, 12 Stillman Road, North Stonington, CT 06359 or Apple Rehab, 28 Broadway Ave., ...
www.legacy.com/obituaries/theday/obituary.aspx?n=alice...
01/28/2012
NOMINEES SOUGHT FOR WHEELER HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI HONORS...The Day
Nominees are now being accepted for the 2012 Wheeler High School Distinguished Alumni Program.
The program, sponsored by the North Stonington Education Association, will accept nominations of any Wheeler alumni that graduated more than 10 years ago.
Nominees, who can be selected from the areas of academic/career, athletic or cultural accomplishments, will be accepted through March 2. A release from the school said nongraduates can be nominated if they have had major contributions to Wheeler High School.
“This is a great program which highlights the accomplishments of our graduates and inspires our current students,” Wheeler Principal Christopher Sandford said.
Nomination applications are available on the school’s website or by contacting Wheeler High School at (860) 535-0377.
01/28/2012
Patrons jump out of the way to avoid incoming Hummer
■ Restaurant open today while some minor repairs are done.
By A.J. ALGIER, Sun Staff Writer
N. STONINGTON — A customer at Mystic Pizza 2 gave new meaning to take out Wednesday night when she hit and damaged the building as she was attempting to leave the 209 Providence-New London Turnpike restaurant in her Hummer.
No one was injured as the vehicle smashed through a wall as diners jumped out of the way after hearing several loud bangs before the vehicle came crashing into the restaurant.
Connecticut state police say charges are pending against Jill Morgan, 35, of 39 Fowler Road, North Stonington, as a result of the 8 p.m. incident.
After the crash in which Morgan suffered facial injuries, police said she fled into the nearby woods on foot. Police with canine units searched unsuccessfully for Morgan in the area but later located her at The Westerly Hospital where she apparently went for treatment. North Stonington fire department personnel and the building official were on the scene to assess structural damage. North Stonington ambulance was also called.
Diners were asked to leave the restaurant following the incident and many were shaken, saying they were so surprised by what happened that they had little time to move as the Hummer hit the building.
The restaurant is open today while minor repairs are done.
aalgier@thewesterlysun.com
02/02/2012
N. Stonington holding focus group for superintendent selection
N. STONINGTON — A focus group to help select a new superintendent of schools will be held at the Wheeler High School Shaw Media Center on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Any interested parents or community members are welcome to attend. The meeting will be about 60 to 90 minutes long and no pre-registration is required. Anyone who cannot attend the meeting can send written comments to search@nesdec.org or to James Connelly, NESDEC, North Stonington Superintendent Search, 28 Lord Road, Marlborough, MA, 01752.
The focus group will be led by James Connelly and Carolyn Burke, search consultants with New England School Development Council. They will be soliciting community input about the attributes, experiences and desired goals for a new superintendent to replace retiring Superintendent Natalie Pukas.
02/05/2012
