Every spring, in Auburn, residents are forced to view the same B-rated horror flick titled, “The School Budget.”
The superintendent comes looking for money that taxpayers do not have, and when the City Council tries to hold her in line, she makes budget cuts that will draw the maximum amount of emotions from parents.
She then mobilizes the children and parents to flood the council chambers, chanting, “We need more money, we need more money” — most, having no clue about what the money will be used for or how much is actually needed. They are driven purely by emotions.
Thinking about it, it is a very well-oiled machine.
I have a solution though.
Members of the School Committee needs to realize that they do not answer to the superintendent, the superintendent answers to them. Then, the School Committee needs to set an environment where teachers can come forward with input on what is best for the children while providing teachers an environment free of retaliation.
We need to put emotions aside and start having serious talks about what is really best for the children.
Throwing money at the problem, year after year after year, is not the solution.
Robert Sevigny, Auburn
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