SCHOOL UPDATE FROM STEVE STYCOS, FEBRUARY 10, 2007
The Cranston School Committee will start to cut and trim the superintendent's budget this week at meetings Monday, February 12 and Thursday, February 15. Both meetings will allow public speaking at 7 PM at Western Hills Middle School.
Superintendent Richard Scherza's budget has a $2.5 million "budget gap," plus $1.8 million in personnel cuts, assuming that the City Council gives us the maximum budget increase allowed by state law. Several of us on the committee are looking ways to eliminate the gap, and then reverse some of the personnel cuts. This is not as impossible as it may seem.
Governor Donald Carcieri's budget proposed a $1.1 million increase for Cranston schools. Assuming the legislature will at least provide that much, the gap is reduced to $1.4 million. Assuming the council will pay for new textbooks out of a separate capital fund, as they did last year, the gap is further reduced by $438,450.
Our digging has revealed other adjustments that should narrow the gap without affecting the classroom. First, the distict's energy conservation program is budgeted as a $281,250 cost, although the consultant's contract states his fees are paid from energy savings and in no case will the district lose money. We also have $54,641 in surplus funds from last year that have not been budgeted this year and therefore can be carried forward into next year. I also discovered that retiree health care costs wereoverstated in the budget by $63,110. Finally, our property insurance estimate, according to business manager Joe Balducci, is $30,000 too high. Together, those "cuts," if approved Monday or Thursday, would reduce the gap to about $550,000.
Other ideas or alternate cuts could reduce the gap to zero. It is unclear whether they will win the four votes needed to pass, however. If the gap is eliminated, we can then try to reverse personnel cuts like the cutting of six teachers at Cranston East and the elimination of the library secretaries.
Parents need to keep attending meetings and speaking for those budget items that are important to them. So far we have had good participation from the public. The more people who stand up and say they are upset about class size, the more attention all of us will pay to the issue.
VOLUNTER COACHES
Monday night, the school committee will consider a new policy on volunteer coaches. The proposed policy, which will also apply to active band parents, requires that the school committee approve appointment of volunteer coaches, allows the superintendent to dismiss volunteer coaches at any time and prohibits volunteers from running practices or transporting students.
It all sounds reasonable to me. To read the proposed policy, go to www.cpsed.net, then select "school committee agenda", then go to the end of the agenda and look at the second to last attachment to the agenda. Policies must be approved by the school committee twice, so the proposal will be voted upon again in March.
RENTALS
A new policy setting fees for use of school buildings for sports, PTO meetings or afterschool programs is also on Monday night's agenda and can be found on the school department's web site.
MILK
Whole milk will no longer be served in the school lunch or breakfast programs after a parent complained that a new state law prohibits serving it. This is not a huge issue to me (I wish kids would drink more milk of any kind.), but it is the law. Food service director Mike Marrocco made the decision, sold the remaining whole milk and in the future will offer 2 percent milk, skim and flavored low fat milks.
the end.
AL GORE COMES TO EDGEWOOD!!!
The evening of Thursday February 22 Friends of the Pawtuxet will show the movie "Inconvenient Truth," at the William Hall Library on Broad Street in Cranston.
My wife and I hesitated to see this movie, not wanting to be lectured or depressed by Al Gore. Nevertheless we went and found it entertaining, intelligent and a compelling call to action to save the planet. A few sappy moments about Gore's life sneak in, but they are a minor part of the film. It is a must-see depiction of what will become the leading issue of our time. Save the date. More details will follow.
STOP THE CONCRETE PLANT!!!!
The group fighting the half-built concrete on the Pawtuxet River sent along the below request. They would like people to attend a Cranston Zoning Board hearing February 28 and to write Mayor Michael Napolitano and DEM in opposition to the plant. The details are below.
SUBJECT: Letter writing campaign against Cranston Concrete Plant is needed NOW!
Here is an update on the current situation.
Superior Court:
2/12/07 - Cullion will present and defend a motion in Superior Court. This motion seeks to bypass the Cranston Zoning Board of review on the grounds that the Zoning Board is too biased to make a judgment in Cullion's case. More importantly Cullion & Co. will be moving to have the
automatic stay (which prevents further construction of the concrete plant) lifted if the Court decides to override the Cranston Zoning Board - in other words Construction could resume until Superior Court decides the building permit appeal [which could in fact take years while the concrete plant is completed and possibly allowed to operate.]
We also still need individuals to join our pending motion to intervene in the Superior Court lawsuit - so far Cullion has been effectively in slowing down all challenges and Knocking the City Council back on its heels - our lead Attorney Richard Crowell would be glad to talk to anyone
inclined to help our cause on this very important front with respect to understanding the legal ramifications of joining the suit.
Cranston Zoning Board:
2/28/07 - Cranston Zoning Board will meet to review CCRZD's appeal of the Cullion permit. CCRZD has paid $500 to present this appeal. Through our lawyer, we are preparing to present our appeal to the Zoning Board with testimony and "expert witnesses."
~~~ We need you at this meeting in support ~~~
D.E.M.
Cullion Concrete Corporation has applied again for a permit from DEM (the Application No. is 06-0557 under "Karleetor , LLC." Their extension of the original permit was not granted. If their modified 2nd permit application is granted, our case will be set back substantially - however the DEM process is a lengthy 2-step Application which will allow input -
you are all encouraged at this stage to write the DEM director [ Dr. W. Michael Sullivan, RI DEM, 236 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908 - Fax No. (401) 222-6802, email Michael.sullivan@dem.ri.gov ] and strongly voice opposition to this application. You should also request that the current 50% completed structure be issued a permanent cease and desist order and DEM require Karleetor/Cullion to return the construction site to its former state given the fact that all Such construction occurred without any DEM approval to alter wetlands at all. It goes without saying that the Governor and local state reps and senators should hear your voices on this issue as loudly as possible!
Mayor Michael Napolitano: While campaigning, Mr. Napolitano stated he was against the concrete plant. Why is this battle still going on? Why hasn't he instructed the building inspector to revoke the permit?
AN AGGRESSIVE LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN TO THE MAYOR AND D.E.M. IS NEEDED NOW.
We hope that a majority of you will contact the Mayor and DEM. In addition, a letter to the editor of the Cranston Herald and/or The Providence Journal would be effective.
The sooner you write the better. Letters should be in the mail by Thursday February 15th. We are up against the deadline dates above.
Below are some guidelines as well as contact information.
If you would like some individual guidance or to answer some questions, please don't hesitate to contact us directly using our e-mail or phone number listed at the bottom. Someone will contact you for any assistance you may need. We will also be happy to provide stationary, stamps or other materials.
CRANSTON CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT
Writing to your Mayor, Department of Environmental Management, Local Politicians And Newspapers
Best options for writing to the above:
. Letters are always more effective if the letter and envelope is handwritten.
. Use the talking points included below, change the order, and handwrite or type your own letter. This is the most effective option.
. A FAX is the next most effective means of communicating.
. An e-mail is less effective.
. Clearly include as much contact information as you are comfortable with: at least your name and address. [phone, e-mail also helpful]
. Make 2 copies: Please send us a copy of your letter(s) so that we may reference the number of complaints &, keep one for your records.
Talking Points
Mayor & Local Politicians Ask to revoke the building permit granted to Karleetor/Cullion Concrete Corporation.
Rationale: Such a plant would place your family's health and safety at risk, lower property values, create more traffic congestion on Pontiac Ave. and abutting streets, reduce air quality, significantly increase noise pollution and jeopardize a wetlands area and two rivers leading to
the bay. The permit was rushed through just days before new plants were banned citywide.
Department of Environmental Management [D.E.M.] Note the flooding, construction debris in surface water, the proximity to the Pocasset River, Pawtuxet River and eventual discharge into
Narragansett Bay. Assert knowledge of the harm and damage a concrete plant can cause: emission of crystalline silica, concrete truck and plant cleaning runoff, etc.
Ask to issue a cease and desist order, require Karleetor/Cullion to tear down the structures, ask to reject any permit modification or new permit application requests and ask for a hearing.
Newspapers
Express how this plant personally impacts you and your family. Use items from above where appropriate.
CONTACT LIST
Mayor
Michael Napolitano
Cranston City Hall
869 Park Avenue
Cranston, Rhode Island 02910 780-3113 (Fax)
D.E.M.
RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
Mr. W. Michael Sullivan, PHD (401) 222-6802 (Fax)
Director
Mr. Dean Albro, Chief (401) 222-3811 (Fax)
Office of Compliance and Inspection
Mr. Charles A. Horbert, 401) 222-6177 (Fax)
Permitting Supervisor Office of Water Resources
Newspapers
Cranston Herald
c/o Beacon Communications
1944 Warwick Avenue
Warwick, RI 02889 (401)732-3110 (Fax)
The Providence Journal
75 Fountain St.
Providence, RI 02902 Editorials 401-277-7439 (Fax)
Cranston Citizens for Responsible Zoning & Development
P.O. Box 20442
Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
(401) 467-6791
e-mail: stopcranstonconcrete@gmail.com
Web Site: http://www.stopcranstonconcrete.org
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