HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-13-2012 public forum speak_1This is what I know about the last couple years:
15 teachers lost over the past 5 years(2006-2011) this doesn't take into account the
loss of Library Aids/Custodians/Administrators/staff.
approx 9+% increase in overall students over the past 5 years.
We have a brand new : Police Station, Library, Fire Station (Station 1 main st),
DPW, and Victory Field while our schools were built in:
High School: Built 1930 renovated 2004
Middle School: Built 1922 Renovated 1998
Lowell School: Built 1927 Renovated 1996
Cunnif School: Built 1954 Renovated 1997
Hosmer School: Built 1967 Renovated 2002
Phillips School: Built 1937 Renovated 2001
I see that in the next 2013-2017 Capital Budget we have 8.1Million in
maintenance/updates to all of the schools over the next 5 years while the Park and
Recreation department is allocated 9.1 Million over 5 years.
What is the 10 year plan for our schools..especially since most are at max capacity
and we are building more and more units in town?
I see a trend which is very discouraging. We have more students and less teachers
over the past couple years. Each year I see that we have been allocated enough
money to be below services. I understand that the economy has been tough but
this only compounds the problem over years and makes it worse. I would like to
see the Town Council and the School Committee work well together. In order for
that to happen, straight forward /respectful communication between the Town
Manager and the School Committee also has to occur.
I believe that Watertown residents are what makes our town stronger, the more
participation the better. In order to have more constructive input,
I would ask if the department budgets could be posted online in a
legible/readable/searchable form in order for the public to reasonably digest.
I would also ask to see all the departments run efficiently while maintaining the
separation between Town and School departments.
And most importantly,
I would like to see the children of Watertown prioritized and supported by creating
a plan to bring back and maintain level services for all our children.
How can we all help to make this happen?