Liveblogging budget hearing: intro from the School Committee

Coming out swinging!

Chair of the Business subcommittee Jack Foley:
"our public school system in Worcester is an outstanding public school system"
Outstanding administrators working for our children every day, working for our children
"a wonderfully transparent budget and budget process"
FY10 is "an inexact science"
what are the most important elements as we are drafting our budget
"a very transparent budget process"
"to bring to the public exactly what has happened over the past 7 years"
nice words for Stephen Mills


Monday evening meeting in joint session


O'Connell repeats strong support for administration: "their dedication to our children was in some ways its own reward"
graced with support by parents, legislative delegation, City Council
unwaivering support of groups like Stand for Children
"we can bemoan what we don't have"
Stimulus package $ --opportunities to restore what has been lost; we cannot just carrying on several positions as they are--need to be invested
"positive, proactive, and measure real dollars as we move forward"

Bogigian: taxpayers have stood with the schools through thick and through thin
Have seen and heard of parental support of WPS
"teachers are mavelous"
"backbone of a dedicated, talented teaching staff"
special thanks to Loughlin
"outstanding teacher, an outstanding educator....exemplefies a true professional...has all the answers at her fingertips"
"a very difficult role"
"I am very optimistic about the future" speaks here about Dr. Boone