Restoring trust in Warwick schools

To the Editor:

The School Committee’s newest member, David Testa, stated in a letter to the editor, that my comments about the School Committee are a “Theater of Absurd.” He claims that my letter of 2/23/17 shows that “He evidently has no understanding of what our Charter says with respect to schools, their governance and their financing.”

Let’s see if he’s right.

In the Warwick Public Schools “School Committee Powers and Duties” (file BBA), it states,

“The School Committee shall determine and control all policies affecting the administration, construction, maintenance and operation of the public schools in accordance with the Warwick City Charter.”I think I understand that. I think it means that the School Committee is responsible to spend our tax dollars “responsibly.” Right? The School Committee is responsible to “maintain and operate” our schools, right?

Just since Mr. Testa’s letter of March 9, Warwick Schools have had sewage backup into a Vets art classroom under. They have also had a fire alarm that was out of order for weeks before it was reported. This is a report card of the School Committee (SC) just since March 9. What kind of grade do you put on the SC? The kind that deserves a raise? An $85,000,000 raise? If an organization is spending money this inappropriately, that organization deserves LESS not MORE! Just ask the 80,000 taxpayers. They’re the ones that are paying the tab.

The SC receives $160,000,000 of taxpayers’ money each year.

That’s over a billion dollars since 2009. Do you think it’s “absurd” for me to think we should refuse to give your organization another dime? We taxpayers give more money to the SC than all other departments put together. Can you say with a straight face that you spend it wisely or honestly? That we should trust your organization with more? We have these safety issues because the SC is criminally irresponsible. Period! Vice Chair Gene Nadeau was quoted as saying he was “unconcerned.” For 30 days the SC made the conscious decision to mislead the public. Clearly, they can’t be trusted, but we can’t blame everyone.

The fire department acted immediately upon being notified. I can’t see how they could have done a better job. Can you?

As far as Superintendent Thornton, he apologized and stated at the School Committee meeting last night (4-4-17) that “the buck stopped with him”. The question that I can’t answer is this. Is Thornton the spokesperson or is he the decision maker? I don’t know. I tend to believe he is the spokesperson/scapegoat. Here’s what I do know. Bethany Furtado is the Chairperson of the SC. She can’t plead ignorance. She had to know. Therefore…She has to go. We can’t trust her with the safety of our children. One SC member, Karen Bachus, focused on the solution. Smart! She made a motion to get the schools immediately hooked up to sewers, and it was approved. Terri Mederious suggested that the City should pay. She is very wrong. The school committee powers and duties clearly states that the SC is paying this one, not the city.

Finally, let’s get back to you David Testa. I was honestly very impressed with your comments last night. You separated the events in two categories. What happened and how it was communicated. You admitted that the communication part was poorly handled and you took your share of the blame. I respect you and thank you for saying that.  It showed leadership. Maybe you are part of the solution. Maybe you will help Karen Bachus reform the School Committee. Maybe then you won’t think that I am so “absurd,” especially in light of the recent events. Maybe you will even agree with me that the SC needs an independent audit, from an independent outside source. Maybe you actually do want more transparency, like I have been campaigning for, these past three years. Maybe you will help rebuild trust in the School Committee.

Maybe. I hope so. Happy Easter everyone.

Rick Corrente

Warwick