Consolidation Is Not A Done Deal
To the Editor,
On October 21 the Berlin CSD Board of Education voted 4-3 against the building project that would have been a big mistake. Mr. Paine likes to think that he and two other board members know what is best for our school district [see Paine’s letter in the November 21 issue of the Eastwick Press]. After attending many meetings and observing the process it has been all too clear that the three board members who voted for this project were never interested in doing anything but closing schools. They never swayed from this consolidation plan and were unwilling to consider any of the many other options that were put forth by the other four board members, even when options that could save the district money and preserve the community schools were suggested!
After doing much research I suspect that our previous and current superintendents were involved in a plan with BOCES/Questar and certain individuals at state education to consolidate our school district with adjoining districts. Reducing the number of school districts in New York State has been going on for many years and the only beneficiaries have been BOCES. Another level of administration is added that ultimately cost the tax payers more money. Commissioner Mills has always given his full support to this plan. The money Mr. Paine suggested that state education offered was never guaranteed and, given the current fiscal situation the state is in, may never happen.
If Mr. Paine, Zwack and Mrs. Miller were truly concerned about ADA compliance, why has it taken so long for them to make any attempt to bring the district in compliance? If the state were to pull the certificate of occupancy in any of the buildings, they would be responsible for the lack of action over the past 20+ years. Voters approved a referendum to spend a meager $100,000 to begin addressing these compliance issues last May, and as far as I can see no work has even started. The new outdoor volleyball and basketball courts took priority! It’s a real shame that the promises certain board members made to a young lady in a wheelchair over two years ago were never fulfilled! She came and gave a great presentation regarding the difficulties she faced entering and exiting the high school. Mr. Paine should be apologizing to her for the lack of action in that area. This building plan has taken up so much of the board’s time that improving the academic program has rarely been discussed by the three who voted in favor of the building plan. Not to mention the fact that last year there were at least 16 students who dropped out and so far this year there has been 10! These are the issues that need to be discussed. If this continues our enrollment numbers will surely decline as predicted.
I would like to say, “Thank You,” to Mrs. Darling, Mrs. Stewart, Mr. French and Mr. Morelli for making the right choice.
Thank you also, to Andy Zlotnick for your commitment to our children and keeping our communities informed! I would also like to say to editor Kramer, I guess the stray black dog at Berlin Elementary was not an indicator that “consolidation is a done deal!” There is no reason we cannot maintain three “small” elementary schools!
John Nash
PO Box 32 , Grafton
A Concerned Citizen of the BCSD
Editor’s Reply: I guess I have to agree with Mr. Nash that dogs can’t tell the future. For our readers who may have no idea what he is referring to in his last paragraph, the following began my report on the Berlin Town Board which appeared in the May 16, 2007, issue of the Eastwick Press: “Okay, so there’s a little black dog that wants to improve himself. He goes to Berlin Elementary School everyday, reported Dog Control Officer Doug Goodermote. Is it evolution or a message from the animal world that school consolidation is a done deal? Whatever the reason, unleashed dogs are not allowed at the school…”