Quotable Quotes 7

Terribly behind on these...all these are comments from last Thursday's School Committee meeting (4/10/08):

Jack Foley: We want to work with the City Council and the City Manager on a real solution...not us against them...this is under the jurisdiction of all of us.
We now have two issues: one, the deficit for fiscal year '09; two, what is an adequate level of funding for schools? Right now, we are barely above the floor: 100.3%.
We cannot authorize funding; we work with those who can.
The school system is in crisis...we have to raise this issue.
We still have a $3.1 million deficit. If we do get to zero, there is no need for rejoicing. We are still in a horrible budget.

John Monfredo: Nothing is more important in our economy than our public schools. (He then asked if we had any commitment from the city regarding a 50/50 split of new revenue. The answer was "no.") Boston has more than a 50/50 split with its schools. Providence is giving all of the new revenue to schools.

Brian O'Connell: "We" and "they" often emerges...we are all part of the same essential package. The City Manager makes the crucial decision. The Council can reduce the bottom line, but can only recommend additions. The City Manager sets the bottom line.
The state pays $180 million. The city pays $92 million. Two-thirds of our budget comes from the state, one-third from the city. We are asking for a very modest increase to 102%. Even this is a bottom level...our school system is on life support, not on the road to recovery.
We should look at 2001-2002, adjusted for inflation, as a reasonable level of funding...a long-term fiscal plan for quality education.