The following letter to the editor was submitted by Trish A. Orlovsky of Iroquois Road. She writing as an individual voter and not representing any group.
That I am writing this letter to support two new faces on the school committee surprises even me. After strong support to both Cindy Stark and Jeff Thielman in the past election I am supporting the two non-incumbents: Matthew Pallett and Jim Flanagan.
I am very concerned that the present members have not asked the hard questions of school administration regarding the handling and accounting of funds, and the lack of transparency about how budget decisions are made.
In the case of the current Chair of School Committee, Ms. Starks has stymied open discussion about poor performance and compliance by the Department of Special Education as detailed in the August 2011 Coordinate Program Review, a six-year analysis by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which found many of the same violations and high rate of violations as six years previous.
After serving her term on the committee, she still does not understand fundamental issues about student’s special needs and the federal and state obligations of the School Committee and district to support them with free and appropriate public education.
I respect Jeff and his years of service but believe the lack of leadership in holding the superintendent accountable has led to loss of confidence in his judgment. I remain concerned with how hiring decisions have been handled overall, and the 11th-hour hiring of the superintendent after a screening committee labored thoughtfully to bring other candidates to the district.
I am also deeply concerned that given the superintendent’s track record with decisions based on no or little data, inaccuracies in budgeting and funds, difficulty meeting deadlines, poor accountability for athletic and other funds, and high rate of noncompliance on the recent six-year program review, that her performance rating reflected none of these concerns.
The school committee is charged with many duties, some of which involve responding to parent concerns, addressing pressing issues about student learning, performance and safety, and ensuring the district is in compliance with state and federal special and regular education requirements.
In several of these areas, I disappointed in the lack accountability by these members of the current School Committee and chagrined and that they would support the administration when there has been misuse of public funds, loss of trust in leadership, disclosure of sensitive information about students with special needs, and support to practices of money handling that lose and then find $1.5 million in special- education funds — funds sorely needed by students and staff.
Finally, I am also very concerned about issues of student safety regarding the high number of traumatic head injuries due to antiquated equipment and the failure to put student safety at the top of our list.
Matthew Pallett will bring a fresh perspective, a strong background in financial accountability, and the perspective of a parent with two young children in the school system. He has experienced the benefits of what the town offers as well as the struggles of a parent of a child with disabilities.
He is not afraid to ask the hard questions, to advocate strongly for the health and safety of our children, and require that budgets be transparent and dollars allocated in the school budget are used for the purposes intended. He will bring a much needed voice of frankness and courage to the table.
Jim Flanagan has a history in the town and young children in the schools. He brings a dedication to maintain what is working but knows that practices of fiscal fuzziness and rubber stamping decisions, that are not based on sound and thorough analysis of data and factors, are not taking the schools to the level of greatness.
Nor have such practices served the needs of staff and students. Jim will be a strong voice that seeks a full discussion of issues, and asks for transparency and accountability in decisions and budgeting.
I respect the current members of the School Committee but am no longer confident that their decisions support the honesty, clarity, and accountability that our children and our tax payers deserve. New members with strong understanding of collaboration and budgeting from the business world, and proven qualities of leadership and commitment to Arlington, will bring better practices to our schools.
My vote on April 10 go to Matthew Pallett and Jim Flanagan. New voices for a new direction.
