Dealing With The Real Problem With Southbridge Schools I

In the preceding article I highlighted that the fundamental problem confronting Southbridge schools is the socio-economic environment provided by the town.

In this article I want to highlight one area that can contribute to addressing this issue.

There is little doubt that any plan that might be advanced to deal with our community’s economic plight is going to cost money. With resources on the verge of dwindling, one can reasonably ask where such money might come from.

One area that has gone on for years with precious little attention from the public is in the area of Community Development Block Grants. 

The Real Problem With Southbridge Schools

The DESE Board's level of concern about the Southbridge Public Schools grew following the release of a recent district review that found:

• Southbridge was among the lowest performing districts in the state in terms of the percentage of students who scored Proficient or Advanced on the 2015 MCAS assessments;
• 34 percent of students at Southbridge Middle/High School failed at least one course in 2015;
• 19 percent of students at Southbridge Middle/High School were suspended at least once in 2015;
• The needs of English language learners were not being met, and the district was out of compliance with regulations regarding English language learners; and
• The district has had seven superintendents and seven high school principals since 2011. 

Rosemary Scrivens - Economic Development Director Candidate - Background

Experience

Regional Director

MA Office of Business Development

June 2010 – April 2015 (4 years 11 months)Worcester, Ma

• Managed the State’s Economic Development Incentive Program for the Central region (66 communities). This program provides two levels of tax incentives for businesses investing in the Commonwealth and creating jobs.
• Facilitated rapid connections to wide array of resources and incentives for businesses of all sizes and industries throughout the Central region. These included non-traditional financing, workforce training and development services, site searches, exporting guidance, marketing and business plans. 

Raise Taxes Or Increase Debt?

Ken O’Brien

At tonight’s meeting the Town Council took up the capital budget. This is a long needed as well as long neglected element of the town’s finances. Its very size is an indication of the extent to which the town has neglected its capital stock.

During the discussion of this matter the Council sidetracked once again into a discussion of its prior decision not to raise taxes.

That discussion centered on whether or not it was wise to incur additional debt obligations. It was estimated that doing so would increase the cost of these projects by an additional $240,000 over the ten year life of the bond. Councilor Steeves argued that it made no sense whatsoever to finance the cost of these projects through debt when it could be done through taxation within the levy limit without the associated interest cost. 

UPDATE: Is Southbridge Being Hyde-Jacked?

Updated at 8 am, 3/19: Hyde spokesman admits “some work” going to Canada.

Ken O’Brien

Nine days ago The O’Zone published an article titled, “Is Hyde Mfg. Moving Jobs To Canada?”

Yesterday The O’Zone published a follow-up piece titled, “Is Southbridge Being Hyde-Jacked?”

In both articles I was quite straightforward in saying that what I was reporting was based on anecdotal information from current and former employees of the company.

In addition I indicated that, rather than having any animosity toward the firm, it had a warm place in my heart.

However, the company is a foundation of what remains of employment in Southbridge as well as its industrial base.

So, given these factors, I was seeking any kind of denial that what I had been told and was therefore reporting lacked substance.

In what is now bordering on a week and a half there has been no such denial. 

Let’s Waste More Time and Money

Ken O’Brien

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” ― John Lennon

In January 19^th’s Southbridge Evening News the headline read, “Seeking vision, town needs people for master plan process”.

The article went on to say, “To Economic Development Director Sandy Acly, ‘The master plan is definitely a visionary process.’ As such, it will need as many people to be involved as possible.”

Well, That Didn't Work!

Ken O'Brien

About a week ago the signs disappeared.

The "Make Southbridge Home" campaign skulked quietly into oblivion like so many other schemes of the current town administration.

Announced with all the fanfare of a new street sweeper on the front page of the Southbridge Evening News of  March 15, 2011, this was the bone thrown to Southbridge homeowners who wanted to follow the advice of our current council chair. You remember that immortal dictum where she told us that if we didn't like the way things were being done we could sell our homes and move.

Unfortunately, residents found that homes in Southbridge were selling as quickly as loofahs in a leper colony.

Like Mighty Mouse our Economic Development and Planning Office stepped in to save the day.