As many of you already know, I am running for School Committee in Cranston, Rhode Island's second ward.
See the ballot
I am submitting another letter to the editors of the Providence Journal and the Cranston Herald.
It is in response to my opponent's claim that she voted for my daughter's school.
What do you think of this?
Referring to "Infrastructure, funding focus in school board races" in the October 10 West Bay section concerning Cranston's School Committee, incumbent Ms. Greifer said she voted against the closing of Horton. Her statement was misleading.
The committee had tried to pass a budget that excluded Horton but the parents caught it. The community responded, in fact it took a special meeting forced by the community to have the committee admit that Horton was to be closed. (Cranston Herald, Feb. 8)link
Archetto and Stycos provided two budget amendments to save Horton, to close and sell the Sprague Avenue facility and dealing with the Charter School costs. Greifer did not support them. If she had, and if she had lobbied her fellow members, the pressure could have convinced just one more to switch their opinion. That was the plan, to get three members to pressure the possible swing voters to flip. Greifer turned her back on Horton and sided with the closure with a vote of 5 to 2. (Providence Journal, Mar. 2) link
"I am extremely disappointed at the five school committee members who made no efforts whatsoever at making any significant changes to the school administration's proposed budget. What they did was irresponsible and this city cannot afford a $12 million increase," said Councilman Fung. (Cranston Herald, Mar. 9)link
Councilwoman Fogarty said: "I am disappointed in the school committee budget process. This is my fourth budget with the city, and I have never seen the school committee make any more than perfunctory changes to what is presented. Why not bypass a school committee process completely, and just have school administration present the budget to the mayor?" (Cranston Herald, Mar. 9)link
The committee made no effort to change the budget. Greifer did try to save face by proposing to add $740,000 to the administration's request and leaving the school's fate in the hands of the mayor and the council. That was rejected 4 to 3. Greifer voted for the budget with former mayor Traficante. She offered the amendment to provide cover but never truly fought for the school when it mattered. With that vote, she said, "I don't have the composure to speak". (Providence Journal, Mar. 2) link
The community wanted blood, sweat and tears and got only tears. The community wanted a war hammer but was handed a rubber stamp. The closing of the school saved the administration only $400,000 and yet it still faces a deficit of at least $1.2 million today. Waterman now faces the same threat. If Greifer would not fight for her own school, why should anyone think she would for Waterman or any other?