SURVEY SAYS...Perform Operational Audit of the Hamilton/Wenham Schools

For the past ten days I have run a poll on this blog site with the following question:

Would you like to see an expert independent operational audit of our schools to improve efficiencies?

The results are now in and although I am not particularly surprised, I think perhaps the School Administration, the School Committee and the members of the Blue Ribbon Committee might want to reconsider their positions opposing an operational audit.

Why?

Because overwhelmingly the majority of citizens who responded to the poll WANT an expert and independent operational audit of the schools.

89% of respondents voted YES.

Only 11% of respondents voted NO to such an audit.

It shouldn't come as a big surprise that the School Administration does not want an audit that could possibly illuminate inefficiences or uncover poor management systems and/or processes. We already know that they have been unable (or unwilling) to account for hundreds of thousands of your tax dollars that were earmarked for school maintenance. What else might an operational audit uncover?

While I understand the administration's reluctance, wouldn't you think that the School Committee officials would feel obligated to those that elected them to support an audit that could likely save their constituents money...or point out ways to more efficiently run our schools? Or are they afraid that an operational audit will prove that they have allowed your tax dollars to be poorly managed, all the while telling you that the yearly budgets they have presented you are "cut to the bone"?

Let's not forget that the schools have asked for and received 10 overrides since 1998 that have cost the taxpayers in Hamilton and Wenham more than $39 million over that period.

Why is it that so often our elected officials support the citizens' causes...until they get elected? And then they ignore what the voters clearly want them to do.

News Flash To Our Elected Boards:

Residents of Hamilton and Wenham support an operational audit of the school system.

So how about it?

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On another note...They're baaack!

Look out. Here comes the School Department with another capital debt exclusion override request. This one is for over $1.5 million to replace the boiler at the Cutler School. Oh yes, and to install and upgrade air conditioning as well. We're being told that this is an "opportunity" for the taxpayers in our towns because the state will reimburse 40% to 48% of the costs.

Can you recall other times that argument has been used to cut into your paycheck?

The joint library comes to my mind. Beautiful building and all, and nice meeting rooms and computer stations, etc., but do you know what it costs to run each year? Last year it cost the taxpayers $572,291.00.

So hang on to your wallets, residents of Hamilton and Wenham, and just remember this:

Every Tax is a Cut in Pay.

Can you afford a(nother) pay cut today?