Two more parents deliver detailed BPS-wide funding proposal to School Committee

Parents Jessica Ormsby (above, left) and Lisa Kincade (above, right) both spoke at the most recent Boston School Committee meeting on behalf of the Curley. Jessica, who became the 11th Curley parent to address the Committee this year, spoke during the open Budget Hearing. Lisa, the 12th Curley parent before the committee this year, then spoke during the public comment period of the regular meeting that followed. Each time a large number of Curley parents stood in silent solidarity, each wearing their Curley shirts, and each time were joined by Mather parent Andy Berg.

Jessica presented to the School Committee in detail the same proposals parents discussed with BPS Assistant CFO Seth Racine on Tuesday, March 20. She also spoke about her own experiences as a parent of a K2 child at the Curley who is trying to remain committed to BPS despite the proposed budget cuts.

Mather parent Andrew Berg delivering his statement on proposed budget cuts faced by the Mather next year. He graciously thanked the BPS for averting some, though not all, of the cuts the school faces.

Lisa spoke equally passionately about her fears of what the proposed budget cuts would mean for her 7th grade son Willie, who suffers from autism. She believes the cuts may lead Willie to regress, losing the progress he has made at the Curley. The Curley is Willie’s seventh school, and since being here, he has made the Honor Roll both terms and has earned the Principal’s Award. Willie had to move to the Curley from his previous school, Mildred Ave., because of budget cuts.

Video of the meeting is available on the City of Boston’s site here:

http://www.cityofboston.gov/cable/video_library.asp?id=2488

Mather parent Andrew Berg’s eloquent statement on their school may be heard at the 11 minute mark.
Jessica’s statement is at the 14 minute mark.
BPS Assistant CFO Seth Racine’s comments to the Committee about the Curley are at the 21 minute mark.
Superintendent Carol Johnson also made some very profound remarks (at the 41 minute mark) on funding levels district wide, noting that “I am not suggesting that the budget that we bring forward is adequate for all we want to do.” Her full remarks on the subject are well worth listening to. Committee member Mary Tamer later took this issue up as well at the 56 minute mark, asking how the district in the future can really define what is meant by “adequate” in a constructive manner.
Lisa’s statement is at the 1 hour 20 minute mark.

Last School Committee Meeting is this Wednesday

The last School Committee meeting of this year’s budget cycle is this Wednesday at 6 p.m. where a formal vote on next year’s budget will taken. After that, discussions will move to the City Council. Matt O’Malley, Felix Arroyo and John Connolly has also received our presentation outlining our proposals. We look forward to discussing them with each Councilor as they consider the budget between mid April and the end of June.

In the meantime, on Wednesday, our final School Committee speaker will be parent Dan Barcan. Please try to come and support him at this last meeting. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. and the public comment period begins at 6:30 p.m. and last for an hour though it may be done sooner. The meeting again takes place at 26 Court Street. Remember to wear your Curley shirt!

Past Statements to School Committee

All statements we’ve made to the School Committee so far, beginning with Lisa and Jessica’s statements, are listed below: