Testimony was given by Kieran Fitzgibbon (right), whose statement was delivered in Spanish by fellow K2 parent Ingrid Escobar (left).

Prior to February vacation Curley parents again attended the School Committee meeting, the third such Committee meeting of the year. Testimony was given by K2 parent Kieran Fitzgibbon, who spoke passionately in particular about the state of our libraries. Translation into Spanish was provided by fellow K2 parent Ingrid Escobar. City Councilor Matt O’Malley also attended and gave testimony in support of our school, proudly wearing a Curley shirt.

City Councilor Matt O'Malley speaking on behalf of the Curley

In an unexpected development, we were invited to a side conference room immediately after Kieran and Ingrid’s testimony for a brief meeting with Seth Racine, Deputy Chief Financial Officer for BPS. He told us of Dr. Carol Johnson’s decision to recognize two-site schools less than one mile apart, including the Curley. Due to the unique needs of such schools, the decision was made to add $50,000 to our foundation budgets, bringing the total amount to $250,000. Mr. Racine offered to come to the Curley to discuss our questions and concerns in the near future. Information about when this meeting is scheduled will be shared here.

Though this was welcome news, we still believe there are needs that cannot be met under the current proposed budget even with the additional $50,000. We will therefore continue to attend School Committee meetings to give our testimony and communicate how the budget crisis is impacting the teaching and learning taking place within our school on a daily basis.

The video from the meeting is below:

http://www.cityofboston.gov/cable/video_library.asp?id=2434

• Councilor O’Malley delivers his remarks around the 57 minute mark.
• Kieran Fitzgibbon and Ingrid Escobar appear at the 1:01 mark.

Statements made at the School Committee meetings so far:

• February 15, 2012 statement to the Boston School Committee (bilingual)
• February 1, 2012 statement to the Boston School Committee
  (English version)
• February 1, 2012 statement to the Boston School Committee
  (Spanish version)
  
• January 18, 2012 statement to the Boston School Committee
  (English version)
• January 18, 2012 statement to the Boston School Committee
  (Spanish version)

The next School Committee meeting is a budget hearing on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:00 pm. This will take place at the Lilla G. Frederick Middle School at 270 Columbia Road in Dorchester – directions to the Frederick, which is a 10-15 minute drive away, are the Curley.

We look forward to another great parent turnout in support of our parents Andres Barraza and Katie Fitch who will speak in support of our children, and the teachers and staff of the Curley.