[Local-Maine-Schools] Bulletin: Governor's Budget Change Package
Ted Spurling, Jr.
jerited at spurlingdesign.com
Sat Apr 7 05:19:22 EDT 2007
Hi, Paul, I'm not sure if you had sent this to the group or not, but--
If anyone lies or is incompetent, he or she should be called on it,
and by naming the individual. That's not what I meant by getting
personal. I'm afraid that some of the comments have deteriorated
enough to hurt our own cause more than to inflict any pain on the
regime. By all means let's identify names in the counterattack when
appropriate.
Ted
At 09:53 PM 4/6/2007, Paul Murphy wrote:
>If the governor behaves badly, and he has, he should be called on
>it...personally. If the commissioner lies, and she has, she should
>be called on it. If she is incompetent, and she is, she should be
>called on it. If her department is a national laughing stock, and it
>is, it should be called on it. The bad plan is upon us because
>people put it out there stupidly, if not maliciously. They should be
>called on their incompetence and bad faith.There are times that ad
>hominem focus, schoolboy or not, is entirely appropriate.
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <mailto:jerited at spurlingdesign.com>Ted Spurling, Jr.
>To: <mailto:jpmarch at verizon.net>John March ;
><mailto:hannah at pingree.com>'Hannah Pingree' ;
><mailto:paul at exploreacadia.com>'Paul Murphy' ;
><mailto:gmarshall at wildmoo.net>'Gail Marshall' ;
><mailto:koffman at coa.edu>koffman at coa.edu ;
><mailto:dsdamon at panax.com>'Dennis Damon'
>Cc: <mailto:breilly at mcht.org>'Brian Reilly' ;
><mailto:fourlobsters at peoplepc.com>'Heather Jones' ;
><mailto:jewett at downeast.net>'Tina Jewett' ;
><mailto:smcfarland at u98.k12.me.us>'Scott McFarland' ;
><mailto:harborview at prexar.com>'Joe Saunders' ;
><mailto:sparkflashgap at gmail.com>'Brian Hubbell' ;
><mailto:mia at knowlesco.com>'Mia Brown' ;
><mailto:khenry at prexar.com>'Eric Henry' ;
><mailto:lrobbins at midmaine.com>'Laurel Robbins' ;
><mailto:bhodgdoncyc at adelphia.net>'Ben Hodgdon' ;
><mailto:cwchaplin at acadia.net>'Kate Chaplin' ;
><mailto:mjeffery at acadia.net>'Margaret Jeffery' ;
><mailto:westsideflorist at acadia.net>'Gail Royal' ;
><mailto:pstrong at adelphia.net>'Skip Strong' ;
><mailto:rliebow at u98.k12.me.us>'Rob Liebow' ;
><mailto:jerited at spurlingdesign.com>'Ted Spurling' ;
><mailto:wfd at midmaine.com>'Barbara Meyers' ;
><mailto:rebeccalenfestey at hotmail.com>'Rebecca Lenfesty' ;
><mailto:youngsinswh at verizon.net>'Amy Young' ;
><mailto:erickson at vision.eri.harvard.edu>'Liz Erickson' ;
><mailto:newflnd at midmaine.com>'Amy Murphy' ;
><mailto:nedjo at acadia.net>'Ned Johnston' ;
><mailto:jtb3 at adelphia.net>'Tom Burton' ;
><mailto:perf3170rag at verizon.net>'Richard Gould' ;
><mailto:atlee at umd.edu>atlee at umd.edu
>Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 9:32 PM
>Subject: RE: Bulletin: Governor's Budget Change Package
>
>Once again (no: ongoingly) John's pithy remarks belong in Bartleby's quotes.
>
>But, more importantly, he sticks to the point in question, namely,
>that we should make no concessions in our fight against "the
>principal issue, which is the wholesale transfer of power from the
>local level to Augusta." He is right to remind us that concessions,
>even to us outer islanders, are red herring--diverting our attention
>from our main objective: " to kill the entire bill."
>
>The governor put his cart before the horse with his budget when he
>assumed that the bill would pass. If he didn't leave himself a back
>door, that is his problem; we are not obliged to save him from his
>own mistake, nor are the legislators.
>
>John, your comparison to Soviet central planning; and yours, Dick,
>to the faulty rush to squash WMD, are right on target. These, and
>the Governor's plan, are "paper tigers" that rely on authoritarian
>measures to solve problems that don't exist.
>
>I'd like to caution the rest of us, though, to keep from getting
>personal in the attacks. If the governor's plan stinks, attack the
>plan. If the Commissioner is off the wall, say why without the
>schoolboy insult. But by all means keep up the counterattack.
>
>And where are the Democrats, anyway?
>
>Ted Spurling
>
>At 03:46 PM 4/6/2007, John March wrote:
>>Hannah:
>>
>>Thanks for your response. A few thoughts in return:
>>
>>(1) Here on MDI you would find little support for an SAD
>>structure. What we have---a school union---isn't perfect, but it
>>works well enough. Please ask your colleagues to leave us alone in
>>this regard. Indeed, in all regards.
>>
>>(2) Who the hell is David Silvernail to suppose that we care what
>>he thinks? Forgive my ire, but to me this typifies what's wrong
>>with the whole process. A professor at the University of Southern
>>Maine who is, I think, merely a consultant to the legislature or to
>>the Commissar (sorry, the Commissioner), is presuming to say that,
>>since we've been good, we might qualify for special treatment when
>>the favors are handed out. What's wrong with this picture? Local
>>control ain't in it if we have to seek a special dispensation that
>>may or may not be granted.
>>
>>(3) Requiring a 2/3 vote to over-ride EPS does in fact get us
>>closer to making EPS a de facto ceiling for local school
>>expenditures. If not, why not leave it as a simple majority vote
>>instead of exerting that extra pressure?
>>
>>(4) Seeking exceptions for offshore islands is fine, but it seems
>>to concede the larger issue to the opposition: that mandatory
>>consolidation is inevitable and the best we can do is ameliorate
>>the worst aspects. I understand that you have to look at all sides
>>and all possibilities and save what you can, but I'm troubled by
>>any approach that concedes the principal issue, which is the
>>wholesale transfer of power from the local level to
>>Augusta. Seeking exceptions for the offshore islands is a
>>rear-guard action. It's fine as far as it goes, but I would prefer
>>to see you endeavoring to kill the entire bill. If the governor
>>has to start over from scratch and build a new budget, so be
>>it. He created this mess; let him clean it up.
>>
>>John March
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Hannah Pingree [ mailto:hannah at pingree.com]
>>Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 3:13 PM
>>To: Paul Murphy; John March; 'Gail Marshall'; koffman at coa.edu; Dennis Damon
>>Cc: 'Brian Reilly'; 'Heather Jones'; 'Tina Jewett'; 'Scott
>>McFarland'; 'Joe Saunders'; 'Brian Hubbell'; 'Mia Brown'; 'Eric
>>Henry'; 'Laurel Robbins'; 'Ben Hodgdon'; 'Kate Chaplin'; 'Margaret
>>Jeffery'; 'Gail Royal'; 'Skip Strong'; 'Rob Liebow'; 'Ted
>>Spurling'; 'Barbara Meyers'; 'Rebecca Lenfesty'; 'Amy Young'; 'Liz
>>Erickson'; 'Amy Murphy'; 'Ned Johnston'; 'Tom Burton'; 'Richard
>>Gould'; atlee at umd.edu
>>Subject: Re: Bulletin: Governor's Budget Change Package
>>
>>Paul,
>>
>>A few thoughts:
>>1. I don't think I have ever been on the fence. I have been a
>>vocal advocate for our schools and finding a solution that protects
>>small schools and MDI schools from the beginning. I continue to
>>advocate for my position as a member of leadership and while you
>>might not read my comments in the newspaper daily (I don't think
>>that is the best way to get things done), I am working very hard
>>from the inside. I will not vote for a plan that is unreasonable
>>and I will certainly be in touch when there is a plan I think I can
>>support. I have been advocating for preservation of local control,
>>local say in any administration consolidation effort, and
>>elimination of the 2500 requirement. As I relayed to Gail in
>>Augusta, David Silvernail said to me that MDI is a very high
>>performing, efficient district and should be left alone as a Union
>>or perhaps SAD as is. I have also been pushing to exempt off-shore
>>islands, as I believe their circumstance are especially unique and
>>even some of the collaboration models would prove difficult for
>>them to comply with. Consider Frenchboro's ferry schedule!
>>2. I have checked with several people and can't figure out
>>where the EPS ceiling concern is coming from. Even Emily Cain who
>>has worked on the Appropriations sub-committee said that is not
>>part of their discussion or plan. I know there is a group working
>>to make a 2/3 vote part for increasing over EPS a part of a
>>different tax reform plan and I have been a vocal opponent of
>>inclusion of this in any tax reform effort. I won't vote for any
>>effort that makes EPS a ceiling and think most legislators would
>>agree with you that this is the wrong way to go.
>>
>>I think this debate is far from over. I have been working with the
>>Republican leader of the House, Josh Tardy closely, who is the
>>first person I heard say "rural cleansing act" and I believe I
>>relayed that comment to Gail.
>>
>>I am sorry I can't respond more frequently. Things have been nutty
>>in Augusta and folks had put budget/school negotiations on the
>>shelf for a bit as we focused on reporting out a bond package. I
>>think the negotiations will be refocused next week. Will try to
>>keep you updated.
>>
>>Hannah Pingree
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>on 4/6/07 2:35 PM, Paul Murphy at paul at exploreacadia.com wrote:
>>As I said the other night, I think the administration will be
>>satisfied to be able to enforce EPS if their consolidation attempts
>>fail. It is and has been an underlying goal of this whole mess.
>>
>>Where have the Democrats gone? Has the party of the people moved so
>>far away from its ideals that it can no longer support a quality
>>education for all? Have they bought the federal administration's
>>apparent belief that quality education is for those that can afford
>>the tuition and not us poor slobs?
>>
>>Do you folks (legislators) not understand that, even at current
>>levels, if EPS becomes an insurmountable ceiling there will be no
>>quality in public education. It makes the Commissioner's goal of
>>preparing every student for college even more laughable than it is on its face.
>>
>>Have you not noticed that any talk of consolidation actually
>>improving instruction has fallen by the wayside? At least there is
>>no longer any artifice...it is a shameless, mercenary incursion on
>>our lives. It certainly is as one of your fellow legislators so
>>aptly phrased it "the rural cleansing act".
>>
>>Please do not stand by and let this happen. We need more than your
>>votes. We need your energetic advocacy. Certainly you have all
>>heard from your district- from the "self interested" education
>>community, the select boards, the citizens. Understand that we are
>>uneasy that you have not given us the comfort we need that you are
>>on our side. It is clear that anything coming from Appropriations
>>will be antithetical to our notion of local control and will
>>include or be coupled with measures that further harden the
>>perversion of EPS from a floor to a ceiling.
>>
>>The time to get off the fence is now. Until now you could
>>reasonably say you were awaiting a product from Appropriations. We
>>now have a very clear understanding of what that product will be.
>>It's stench has reached your district. Stop it on behalf of your
>>district and your state..
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>
>>From: John March < mailto:jpmarch at verizon.net>
>>
>>To: 'Gail Marshall' < mailto:gmarshall at wildmoo.net> ; 'Hannah
>>Pingree' < mailto:hannah at pingree.com> ; koffman at coa.edu ; dsdamon at panax.com
>>
>>Cc: 'Brian Reilly' < mailto:breilly at mcht.org> ; 'Heather Jones' <
>>mailto:fourlobsters at peoplepc.com> ; 'Tina Jewett' <
>>mailto:jewett at downeast.net> ; 'Scott McFarland' <
>>mailto:smcfarland at u98.k12.me.us> ; 'Joe Saunders' <
>>mailto:harborview at prexar.com> ; 'Brian Hubbell' <
>>mailto:sparkflashgap at gmail.com> ; 'Mia Brown' <
>>mailto:mia at knowlesco.com> ; 'Eric Henry' <
>>mailto:khenry at prexar.com> ; 'Laurel Robbins' <
>>mailto:lrobbins at midmaine.com> ; 'Ben Hodgdon' <
>>mailto:bhodgdoncyc at adelphia.net> ; 'Kate Chaplin' <
>>mailto:cwchaplin at acadia.net> ; 'Margaret Jeffery' <
>>mailto:mjeffery at acadia.net> ; 'Paul Murphy' <
>>mailto:paul at exploreacadia.com> ; 'Gail Royal' <
>>mailto:westsideflorist at acadia.net> ; 'Skip Strong' <
>>mailto:pstrong at adelphia.net> ; 'Rob Liebow' <
>>mailto:rliebow at u98.k12.me.us> ; 'Ted Spurling' <
>>mailto:jerited at spurlingdesign.com> ; 'Barbara Meyers' <
>>mailto:wfd at midmaine.com> ; 'Rebecca Lenfesty' <
>>mailto:rebeccalenfestey at hotmail.com> ; 'Amy Young' <
>>mailto:youngsinswh at verizon.net> ; 'Liz Erickson' <
>>mailto:erickson at vision.eri.harvard.edu> ; 'Amy Murphy' <
>>mailto:newflnd at midmaine.com> ; 'Ned Johnston' <
>>mailto:nedjo at acadia.net> ; 'Tom Burton' <
>>mailto:jtb3 at adelphia.net> ; 'Richard Gould' <
>>mailto:perf3170rag at verizon.net> ; atlee at umd.edu
>>
>>Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 1:38 PM
>>
>>Subject: RE: Bulletin: Governor's Budget Change Package
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>As I've said before, logically the next piece of legislation
>>should be a bill to change the state motto---from Dirigo ("I
>>lead") to Dirigo in praecipitium ("I lead over the precipice").
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Gail Marshall [ mailto:gmarshall at wildmoo.net]
>>Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 1:25 PM
>>To: Hannah Pingree; koffman at coa.edu; dsdamon at panax.com
>>Cc: Brian Reilly; Heather Jones; Tina Jewett; Scott McFarland; Joe
>>Saunders; Brian Hubbell; Mia Brown; Eric Henry; Laurel Robbins;
>>Ben Hodgdon; Kate Chaplin; Margaret Jeffery; Paul Murphy;
>>Gail Royal; Skip Strong; Rob Liebow; Ted Spurling; Barbara Meyers;
>>Rebecca Lenfesty; Amy Young; Liz Erickson; Amy Murphy; Ned
>>Johnston; Tom Burton; Richard Gould; atlee at umd.edu; John March
>>Subject: Fwd: Bulletin: Governor's Budget Change Package
>>
>>
>>
>>To our representatives:
>>
>>
>>
>>With the receipt of the below message, I am compelled to ask: Is
>>there no outer limit to the preposterousness of
>>this administration's efforts to destroy our educational system?
>>
>>
>>
>>The only appropriate course of action for you to take is to
>>proactively work to KILL all forced consolidation efforts. This
>>administration and the appropriation committee with their
>>troubadours in the Press Herald and BDNews have made a great deal
>>of noise, and have worked hard to stir up the very same rabid
>>tax-cutters the Governor and legislators allege they seek to save
>>us all from. But they have failed to present a sound, reasoned
>>financial or educational analysis that proves that they
>>have properly diagnosed a problem, or that their prescription is
>>formulated to cure it. (Please go to our web site
>>www.mdischools.net
>><http://www.mdischools.net><http://www.mdischools.net> and read
>>Gordon Donaldson's concise data about this debate if you have not
>>yet done so.) Trying to forge a compromise or "do something" when
>>the debate has been chaotic from the very beginning is like trying
>>to get out ahead of a stampede to stop it. There would be a
>>"price" to pay for "failing" to pass a consolidation bill, but the
>>Governor and Commissioner have caused this chaos, the committees
>>have fed it, so they and not our children and
>>communities should pay the price for that.
>>
>>
>>
>>DOE"s recklessness with the budget proposal discussed below is
>>entirely consistent with the way we have come to expect them to
>>operate. (NO "extracurricular" expenses are "essential"??
>>No bands? No sports? No Drama? No French clubs? No student
>>councils? No National Honor Society? and on and on) Imagine for a
>>moment DOE is put substantially in charge of reorganizing the
>>administration of all our schools with a matter of a few months.
>>We are, and as a result we aren't sleeping very well these days.
>>
>>
>>
>>Further, it is imperative that you understand how damaged and
>>damaging the EPS system currently is to Maine's schools. Any
>>attempt to strengthen it will have the potential to
>>cause catastrophic harm to MDI schools. I strongly urge you to
>>take the time to talk with Rob LIebow about how it really works.
>>
>>
>>
>>We are witnessing the approach of a runaway train. I hope you know
>>how to pull the emergency brake. We need to hear your voices
>>raised in a leadership manner to attempt to steer this debate in
>>an appropriate direction. Just voting when the time comes is not enough.
>>
>>
>>
>>Thank you.
>>
>>
>>
>>Gail Marshall
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>From: Dick Durost <DDurost at mpa.cc>
>>Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2007 11:55:02 -0400
>>Cc: Larry LaBrie <LLaBrie at mpa.cc>, Phyllis
>>Deringis <PDeringis at mpa.cc>, Jeff Sturgis <JSturgis at mpa.cc>
>>Conversation: Bulletin: Governor's Budget Change Package
>>Subject: Bulletin: Governor's Budget Change Package
>>
>>I'm emailing this from the Appropriations Committee room.
>>
>>The Governor's budget change package has just been presented and
>>contains at least two key decreases in educational funding.
>>
>>Issue number one decreases EPS funding for FY 08 by $17,000,000.
>>This slows the ramp towards 55% state support of EPS. For those of
>>you who have spoken with your superintendents, this reflects "plan
>>B" of the financial scenarios recently sent to superintendents.
>>
>>The second issue eliminates all ESP support of co and
>>extracurricular activities beginning in FY 09. In other words, all
>>costs would become local funds with zero state support.
>>
>>Dick
>>
>>____________________________
>>Dick Durost, Executive Director
>>Maine Principals' Association
>>PO Box 2468 ~ 50 Industrial Drive
>>Augusta, ME 04338-2468
>>
>>
>>
>>------ End of Forwarded Message
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>________________________________________
>For architectural design services visit us at: http://www.spurlingdesign.com
________________________________________
For architectural design services visit us at: http://www.spurlingdesign.com
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