Monday, October 26, 2009

Letters To The Editor:

A letter to The Herald editor (10/23/09) by Peter Kochol, “ Stewart disingenuous ...” as well as incorrect assertions by Democrats, Sherwood and O’Brien at the LOWV/HERALD Candidates’ debate on Tuesday, 10/20/09 prompts this editorial.

First. At the “debate”, Democrats asserted over and over (especially Sherwood & O’Brien) that NB schools are overcrowded. This despite a direct challenge to that assertion by Stewart Team Aldermanic Candidate, Marco Villa (BOE employee) that the assertion was false. An administrator at the BOE central office was called to ask him about school population numbers. This administrator said that in fact, our schools are NOT overcrowded. He explained further that there are approximately 500 students enrolled in out of town magnet schools. This means that fewer teachers were needed resulting in higher enrollments in some classes. Enrollment at NBHS is also lower.

Second. Kochol’s use of the term “disingenuous” when referring to Mayor Stewart is way off base. He asserts that Stewart did not wish to receive proposals for magnet schools - this assertion is what is really disingenuous. The DiLoreto School is a type of district magnet school (K - 8 Dual Language School). The Stewart Administration has supported this concept. The Stewart Administration held discussions about inter district magnet schools years ago. At that time, both city and school administrations did not wish to commit to the inter district magnet school proposal. It turns out, that was a good decision; in the past couple of months a serious problem has arisen especially in the Hartford magnet schools with regard to lower than expected per pupil funding for the schools from the State. There has been much discussion of this problem in the media. Why did the city/BOE decide not to commit to a inter district magnet concept years ago? The reasons are/were many faceted: where to put inter district magnet schools; increased funding necessary for staffing, etc.; no firm commitment from surrounding towns to participate - suppose towns committed at first, then, after getting things in place decided to back off a commitment? ; NB would be held “holding the bag.” Etc., etc.

Democrats are desperate to find issues they feel might serve them well in the upcoming election so they try to paint the Stewart Team as anti education. In light of the fact that there is a global recession and that the city underwent a revaluation (mandated by the State) the City and School Administrations had to be prudent financially to keep property taxes from skyrocketing.

Education progress in has been advancing in New Britain the past six years in spite of the fact that the state's share of the education budget has actually diminished during Tim O'Brien's time in the state legislature, from 62.2% in 2001-2002 to 59.3% in 2007-2008. This has increased the burden the city must carry. This is in conflict with the claim by Mr. O'Brien that he has increased state aid to schools during his time in office.

A few things that have been completed/accomplished during the Stewart Administration: reroofing of elementary schools; new playscapes at schools, 16 room addition for the Freshman Academy at NBHS; reroofing of NBHS with Solar electricity generating panels installed; Alternate School built at NBHS; sports improvements to Veteran’s Stadium; DiLoreto School has revamped building and curriculum concept (See the lead story in The Herald, 10/24/09). The list could go on and the facts show that the Stewart Administration has been only pro education for New Britain.

Alderman Lou Salvio, 225-9992, New Britain
Alderman Mark Bernacki, 223-8995, New Britain
Anthony Kane, BOE Candidate 229-8757, Stewart Team New Britain

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

School board member Ayalon was making outlandish statements when doing the phone calling for Rep O'Brien blaming Mayor Stewart for siding with Superintendent Kurtz and the democrat controlled school board to NOT further the inter district school for DiLoreto. What?
President Kochol resigns from the board (why?) and also makes these statements.

Ayalon also used the talking points of Stewart INCREASING taxes.

The closer to the election it gets the greater the lies. How can these people look themselves in the mirror? Liberal lies..lies..lies..

Anonymous said...

More lies.. Now Rep O'Brien is accusing Mayor Stewart of taking a raise that was proposed and approved by the super majority democrat controlled city council IN 2007!

Salvio and Bernacki gave back 5% of their pay several weeks ago and the same democrats accused them of grandstanding? To date, NO council democrats have given back a portion of their pay. The democrat controlled council gives the Mayor a raise two years ago and then complains about it?

This is more than stupidity.

IF.. If these dems get elected who is going to believe a word they say?

Anonymous said...

Aram Ayalon started his stint on the BOE like a hurricane force wind and ended up becoming more like the breeze from a Japanese fan.
Is Doris Kurtz wrong about everything?
Should the Mayor not talk with her?
Should the Mayor not agree with her and work with her when Kurtz is correct?
Was Kurtz not involved in making DiLoreto a model, in-the-district dual language magnet school?
If you think that why not tell it to the hundreds of parents who delight in their children having that experience?
Mr. Ayalon, HELLO! Your Democrat controlled legislature is reponsible for any tax increases. Wake up Mr. Ayalon, it's not Howdy Doody Time where everthing is fun!

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