Joint statement from Mayor Finch, Superintendent of Schools John Ramos and Board of Education President Barbara Bellinger. The BOE will take up the resolution for state control of city schools tonight. Are they quitters or reformers?
Mayor Bill Finch joined Superintendent John Ramos Sr., and Board of Education President Barbara Bellinger in supporting a resolution that will come before the Board of Education at a special meeting on Tuesday evening calling on the state to provide assistance to the local board.
“As a public school parent I realize our school system is at a critical crossroad,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “I believe State oversight will be the best way to calm the waters, take politics out of the process, and allow us to put a renewed focus on improving outcomes for our students. State oversight is an important first step in achieving this,” Finch added.
“I remain committed to working together with the Board of Education and the state during the next few critical months to continue to identify cost-savings in areas which will least affect our students–as the challenges of the school system have increased so has our combined focus and diligence. We will continue to work around the clock with our Superintendent, our Board of Education and state officials to resolve this critical issue. With two children who will attend our public schools this fall, rest assured I believe there is nothing that is more important.”
“We have reached the point of no return. This is a major crisis, and the board members and I realize we can’t continue to function the way we have. We’ve drawn a line in the sand by saying we can’t function with the amount of money we’ve been allotted,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Ramos.
“This has been a long and difficult process for our board. We need to remember what’s most important in this equation are the children, who deserve a quality education that will enable them to compete on a level playing field with students from around the state,” said Board of Education President Barbara Bellinger. “During the past few years, the Board has struggled to gain a consensus on many issues. Without a laser-like focus on student achievement we are unable to dramatically improve student outcomes, our most important mission.”
The board is meeting Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. in Cesar Batalla School, 606 Howard Avenue, Bridgeport CT.
Why should Ramos care? He’s going to take his lifetime health benefit and move on to $$$ Greener Pastures. This is going to be Bill’s Waterloo.
How to fix: Education
If the goal is to give kids the tools to succeed, then our educational system gets a D+. And yet, year after year, complacent school boards, administrators, teachers, unions, textbook publishers and other interest groups just keep on doing the same things that didn’t work last year.
articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/HomeMortgageSavings/HowToFixEducation.aspx