SRC can't afford to leave democracy behind

Submitted by Helen Gym on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 12:56 Posted in Blogger commentary | Permalink

Thursday’s move by the School Reform Commission to hire a Chief Recovery Officer who will be advised by an "outside team of experts" signals a potentially troubling path around both mission and process for the School District as it struggles to keep afloat amid fiscal chaos.

District 1201 union President George Ricchezza, whose 2,700 members have all received layoff notices, said what’s on many people’s minds: “What I see here is a dismantling of the public school system."

To be sure, no one can deny the District’s devastating financial situation. A $715 million budget gap. $61 million to close by June. A projected $300+ million deficit in FY2013.

On top of all that was a ruling that the city and School District had lost a state court appeal around property taxes that could result in $45 million less in tax revenue for the schools.

The current leadership of the SRC needs to take swift fiscal action. No one denies that. It is also a given that schools, school personnel, and classrooms will need to make more compromises on top of the ones they already have made.

But here’s where the SRC leadership needs to act with caution.

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Opinion: A fresh start for the SRC? Part II

Submitted by Helen Gym on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 14:00 Posted in Blogger commentary | Permalink

Earlier this week, I wrote about the need for a fresh start to the SRC and how frequently challenges can come up. Today’s meeting on the facilities master plan will be just that kind of challenge. 

For starter's, today's FMP meeting showcases the strange approach the District has to starting difficult conversations – surprise the public.

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