Saying it doesn't make it so...

Let's check our math here, folks...

"Combined, these contributions and avoided costs generate over $7.8 million in resources that otherwise would have been unavailable or consumed by skyrocketing benefit cost," Mr. O'Brien wrote in his budget message. "This effective increase to the Worcester Public Schools to provide services in the classroom is more than 103 percent over the state-mandated minimum." Worcester Telegram and Gazette, 5/6/08, pA12

The key word there is "EFFECTIVE." It isn't an increase of $7.8 million. The various health care savings, while great, were ALREADY in the budget. They've now been redirected to the classroom. They haven't suddenly appeared in the school budget; they've been moved from one column of it to another.

The foundation budget is a very specific list of things put together by the state. It isn't what the City Manager wants it to be to suit his fancy.

The real percentage is 100.5%.