The proposed $115 school plan – complete with two new 900-student schools for kindergarten through eighth grade – got a gold star from at least some of the candidates seeking City Council seats during a political forum Monday.
"I believe that the new schools are the way to go," said incumbent Democrat Kevin McCauley.He said a 900-student school is "two schools in one" and fiscally responsible. The school plans show elementary and middle school wings that are separated with shared offices. "The benefit to us is that it saves us on the cost," McCauley said. He said they also serve both older and younger students well.
His Democratic running mate in the 2nd District, newcomer Bruce Lydem, also said it's “time to build new schools.”
During the Federal Hill Association’s wide-ranging forum at City Hall, Lydem said he has "the utmost faith in the Board of Ed."
Other candidates in the 2nd and 3rd districts were much less confident that the Board of Education’s plan for new K-8 schools in Forestville and the western part of Bristol were a good idea. The plan also includes closing four older schools, including Memorial Boulevard School.
Independent council hopeful Mark Blaschke, also running in the 2nd District, said that educators are “rushing everything in” with too little public input.
“They're hurting the kids. They're hurting the taxpayers of this city, and they ought to start over again," Blaschke said.
City Councilor Frank Nicastro, a Democrat running in the 3rd District, said the city has to do what's best for the children, but he has “concerns” about the plan.
Calling for city-sponsored public hearing on the issue, Nicastro said that leaders have to make sure "whatever we do is not going to paralyze this city."
Robert Merrick, the sole Republican in the 3rd District race, said that smaller K-8 schools might work, but larger ones might not. He said kids "want to feel comfortable in a small environment."
Merrick said that children in a 900-student environment, divided or not, "can get overwhelmed. If they get overwhelmed and anxious, they can have a hard time learning."
"We need to hear much more from the public," Merrick said.
City Councilor Craig Minor, a Democrat in the 3rd District, said he is "not thrilled" with the 900-student school because neighborhood schools can't be that big.
He said that even though students don't walk to school anymore, the community still needs schools that serve neighborhoods.
"I don't know if the idea of a mega-school is right for Bristol," Minor said.
Ken Cockayne, a GOP council hopeful in the 2nd District, said the city should look at renovating schools.
"The schools are our first priority," he said, and officials haven’t proven to the public that change is needed.
“Why do we need a 900-student school?” Cockayne asked.
“Changing buildings won’t change academics,” said Joe Geladino, the other Republican in the 2nd District race. He said smaller schools “give the children a more personal touch.”
McCauley said that the school board needs do better in communicating its plans to the public, especially to parents with children who would be affected. Lydem agreed.
Candidates also slugged it out on issues that included whether to switch to a city manager form of government, if there should be a large council, how to attract more industry to town, how to revitalize downtown and more.
About 60 people attended at least a portion of the forums Monday, each of which lasted about an hour and a half. Nearly everyone there was active in city politics.
For a detailed accounting of the issues discussed, please read reporter Steve Collins’ Bristol Blog at http://bristolnews.blogspot.com, where the forum was blogged live.
Another forum Wednesday
The Federal Hill Association is sponsoring another forum on Wednesday, beginning with the 1st District City Council candidates at 6 p.m.At 8 p.m. is the first mayoral showdown between Democrat Art Ward and Republican Ken Johnson.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
34 comments:
Yeah, I know they talked about a lot more than education. You try to boil down three hours of talk by eight different candidates into 600 words. It's no fun.
And, rest assured, some of the rest of what they had to say will appear in subsequent stories.
Is this McCauley's words or a scripted agenda from Ellen? She was a big supporter of the K-8, becasue of O'Brien. K-8 is not the way to go, Scalia Pits is also NOT the place to build any school.
Oh brother, here we go again with the stupid scripting. McCauley has a mind of his own. Zoppo is out of the picture. Let's remember that McCauley wasn't accused of scripting so it's time to MOVE ON! By the way, I find it fascinating that Cockayne's kid goes to St. Anthony's. How would he know what the parents of this town want for a school when he won't even send his to Bristol's public schools? Seems to me he wouldn't put him there even if the school was new. I guess he just doesn't trust our teachers will be able to teach his son properly or at least according to his standards.
And Tom O'Brien NEVER went to public schools and neither did his kids, so tell me how does he know that a K-8 systemn is better for Bristol.
Where parents choose to educate thier kids is thier busniess and none of ours.
What about a Chippens Hill teacher (Merrick) who also doesn't send his kids to public school? He'll take a paycheck, but he won't trust his kids there? What's wrong with this picture?
McCauley needs to explain how a 900+ K8 school is going to benefit the academic achievement levels of the students.
His notion implies that by dividing the mega school in half, the negative effect of large school size will be negated or neutralized.
This notion is contrary to over 25 years of social and educational research. The two things that all researchers in education agree upon, and has been proven time and time again - against all age groups, against all income levels - is this: socio-economic status and school size are direclty related to academic achievement levels of the student population.
McCauley needs to demonstrate that the "divided school\mega school" concept which he supports, results in increased academic performance.
Why else should the city make the investment in this model?
Where are those research studies where this concept has been tested, analyzed, REPRODUCED. Has this model been demonstrated to be successful in the municpalities across this nation?
McCauley needs to do more than just "say" this is the way to move Bristol forward. He needs to PROVE it.
Investing tax dollars in bricks arranged in configuration that is essentially "eye candy" and actually a barrier to academic achievement, is a complete waste of money and the waste of an innocent student's future.
has anyone thought that perhaps people send there kids to Catholic schools because of the faith? Maybe it has nothing do at all about the Public schools!
Although some parents do send their children to faith based schools for chosen religion purposes, the majority of parents send their children to religious and other private schools because the class sizes are significantly smaller which enables the teachers to expand their cirriculum, thereby enhancing the education of the students.
Another reason we shouldn't encourage mega schools.
How about a debate between Tom O'Brien and Bob Merrick on the merits of K-8? I bet a lot of people would show up for that!
I don't understand how Nicastro can vote to support the establishment of school building committees to find sites for the BOE endorsed K-8 mega schools, a few weeks ago; but now turn around and say he has "concerns" about "the plan".
Where was his "critical thinking" beforehand?
Spit it out, Nicastro.
What are your concerns?
Give your potential voters a glimpse into what your really thinking.
Seems like Bruce Lydem would have a huge conflict on the issue of building new schools because of his carpenters union position. Obviously he would be in favor of building new schools.
Cockayne and Geladino are right on the schools. Just say NO!
All the Dems want to do is raise our taxes...
I'm not one to say too much, but I hardly believe that Cockayne sends his kid to a catholic school for religious reasons and these are not mega schools. Chippens hill, which is only three grades, will be larger by 300 students. Mega school is definitely the wrong choice of words for the new schools. Apparently some of you haven't done YOUR homework with regard to the school plan. McCauley has looked at it and is just reitterating what has been presented to him and everyone else. If you want answers, go look at the plan and ask the BOE since they are the ones who started this whole thing in the first place. I don't see anywhere in the quote where McCauley says the students' academic achievement levels will increase, which brings me to a very important point. The real people who should be put under the microscope for this are BOE and the people running for the BOE. They're the ones who decided we needed new schools. They're the ones who are charged with implementing the project and coming up with a plan. They're the ones with the answers. The councilmen have no say in what goes on with this plan. After all is said and done, it goes to the council for their vote, but their input is not part of the equation as most people, I believe, feel it is. Why isn't there a forum where the existing BOE and the candidates for the BOE are questioned extensively on the plan and where they stand? I find it disturbing that they are unusually quiet while the council takes the heat for something they have no control over the implementation of. The citizens voted them in so let the BOE be held accountable to the citizens.
Tom O'Brien's kids went to Hubbell School with my kids. If there aren't going to be constructive posts on this site, why bother? Every time an interesting thread is developing some person makes it personal or tries to spin it. Enough!
The only way some people feel they can be heard is to skew the truth.
"McCauley has looked at it and is just reitterating what has been presented to him and everyone else."
That's the problem.
Is he a parrot?
Is it too much to ask that this Councilman explain the relationship
between academic achievement levels and the K8 mega school model that he supports to his constituency?
On the contrary, McCauley has a direct say on what the BOE does, and what gets implemented in this city.
He has a final say!
Do not make the assumption that someone who posts an critical comment hasn't done their "homework".
And where did the O'Brien kids go after Hubbell school? I assume they were educated beyond 5th grade.
"Is it too much to ask that this Councilman explain the relationship
between academic achievement levels and the K8 mega school model that he supports to his constituency?"
Yeah, it is. He isn't running for Board of Education so don't expect him to be an expert on education. Expect him to demonstrate a thoughtful process that includes relying on the advice of professionals, and then allow him to come to a different conclusion from you.
Mr. McCauley is free to consult any professional he chooses.
He is also free to do his own independent research.
He can come to his conclusions.
But, he needs to explain how he arrived at his "decision" to his constituency.
Once again, my question is a fair question.
Mr. McCauley supports a "divided mega or super school concept for Bristol's children.(900+). He stated this in a public debate.
I'm asking a follow up question.
Where has this concept been implemented? How has it affected the academic performance of the children.
Surely, Mr. McCauley's "education professionals", that ones he has relied upon for advise must have indicated to him the "Who, what, where, why , and when, and how many times this educational model has been implemented?
And, what the results were?
They must have since he now supports the model!
So, it's not too much to ask, how did McCauley he arrive at his conclusions?
What was the nature of his "thought process" on the matter in relation to academic achievement levels ?
Did this factor have any weight in his "thought process"? Did other factors carry more weight?
These are fair questions.
Anon @ 12:54 PM - It is without question Mr. McCauley's duty to the electorate to explain how he reached his decision. In the end none of this will go forward without the majority vote of the city council. This cock & bull tripe that the politicians are not in a position to question or reject the BOE's decision because it is based on "expert research" is ludicrous and needs to end. Before I vote for a candidate who will have that much spending power I want to know that he/she has more than just tacitly approved a plan and that they have asked the hard questions of the board or committee that developed the plan. In my opinion Mr. McCauley has failed on all counts. His position that this plan is somehow "fiscally responsible" is comical. In two years he has failed to demonstrate any fiscal responsibility. Combine this with his "I'll give you your opinion" attitude toward the voters/taxpayers and it becomes clear that this is not a sound choice for the city council. Time for new leadership.
Since the Board of Ed and the candidates running for the BOE have remained so quiet on this important issue maybe the answer is to not vote for anyone of them and start over!
"Mr. McCauley supports a "divided mega or super school concept for Bristol's children.(900+). He stated this in a public debate."
You gotta suspect the motives of someone who uses the "still beating your wife?" line of attack. 900 is not a mega-school and your Orwellian repetition of that phrase won't fly. 900 is smaller than Chippens Hill is now.
Actually, at the end, after the committees have come to an agreement on where and what will happen, McCauley votes as does the rest of them. Since when has this become a McCauley issue? Nice of the Republicans to target one person when all of them voted to have the school committee. They are all educated on the concept. Unfortunately, the question did not ask him or any of the others to answer it in detail so making assupmtions that he doesn't know what he is talking about is down right untruthful. He is very well aware of what it is about. Remember they get two minutes and the question didn't call for him to give a dissertation on his full knowledge of the schools. If you're so interested in how much he knows, why don't you ask him yourself? Also, the people you should be asking the question about where they stand who have the most control over what happens to it is the BOE candidates. Why don't you ask them? Probably because you couldn't care less. You people are obviously targeting him otherwise you would drag Lydem, Nicastro, Minor, Rimcoski and Ward into it. Don't forget that this was a forum ... not a debate. Also, the council has no say when it comes to the committees themselves. They have to wait to see what the committee comes up with. Then ALL of them will vote on it. Let's tell it like it is, shall we?
I've been reading the comments on this blog and find it fascinating that you're singling out one councilman when all of them want the schools. Also, the questions you ask, if you really want an answer to them, should be posed to the BOE. They have all the data and as far as I know will be putting together the project. Didn't they hire the "experts"? If you're testing him, why don't you contact him to ask him? Wouldn't that be the way to go? I believe his number is listed as are the other councilmen whom you should also ask the same question to.
It is disturbing to see one person being raked over the coals when he has not even been asked these questions directly. The question of what the school plan is all about was not asked at the forum. I don't believe any of them could answer that question in two minutes. Did I hear Cockayne describe the intricacies of the K-8 plan? No, I didn't. Did I hear Geladino say he knew all about the k-8 school issue and describe it in any detail? No, he did not. The question should be asked of everyone; not just one person in an attempt to unfairly discredit him. Apparently the Republicans feel the only way to win a seat in the 2nd district is to falsely slander and attack the encumbent. I have no problem voting for any party as long as I feel they have character and can show me personally why I should vote for them; not by attacking the opposition just to keep the spotlight off of them, which is obvious what is happening here. Haven't we had enough with the mayoral primary?
Wow, the lies just keep coming. Not once has Mr. McCauley EVER given an attitude of "I'll tell you what your opinion is." What a lie! This is an honest man and the voters will see through every one of these slanderous comments. Many people know him to be hard working and knowledgeable and that is why the Republicans are trying soooo hard to hurt him. Demanding answers from him is fine, but why don't you do it to his face so he can answer you instead of mouthing off on this blog? You're hiding behind your anonymity. If you had to give your names, you would be as quiet as a mouse. Shame on all of you!!!
McCauley is not fiscally responsible? Are you kidding? With he and Frank Nicastro being on the real estate committee, they have given back to the city more than $700,000 in the form of properties sold and those properties put back on the tax roles which will generate many more dollars in the years to come. Why don't you see what DIDN'T get done with that real estate committee before he and Nicastro were put on it. Also, assuming he didn't ask the hard questions is absured otherwise he wouldn't have taken the stance that he has. There's one candidate in particular that, as others have said on this blog, shifted his position based on its popularity. Why aren't you attacking him? That's right, because he's a Republican. Well, if that's what you want on the council, then apparently you don't want someone who will stand by his decision making regardless of whether it's popular or not.
Not once has Mr. Cockayne nor Mr. Geladino explained to us, the voters, what the K-8 plan is all about and how it was arrived at. I think a thorough explanation is in order. They should explain the graphs and the voluminous materials that were provided by the hired professionals. I know they are not experts, but that would be fair, don't you think? As one person put it, the "who, what, where, why, when." After all, if they want to be on the council, some unrealistic voters will obviously demand that they know the ins and outs of the plan.
What's wrong with these council people, and those seeking their seats?
Can't they write a Letter to the Editor to clearly explain themselves about these schools to the voters?
We need to get beyond the 60 sec debate response mode from these people.
Also, why haven't the members of the Board of Ed written something to the voters?
For those that were not at the Forums, let me tell you first hand, as someone that was present for the whole forum on monday, that not all the candidates support the k-8 Mega school.
Ken Cockaynes' Exact answer was the most honest of all the answers when he said " I Dont Know" and went on to say neither do the citizens of Bristol.
Ken and Joe both stated that they would like to know more before judging whether or not the schools are a good idea.
It is my opinion, as well as many in Bristol, that smaller class sizes would result in a better learning enviornment and ultimately result in higher scoring.
As for writing a letter to the editor, in case you havent noticed pro republican letters, sound offs and/or articles rarely, if ever, get published in the bristol press!!!!
Finally to the person whinning about people being to scared to post under their real name, I didnt catch your name anonymous!!!!
Apparently you haven't been reading the papers, because Cockayne liked the schools AND even went so far as to say it should be considered for the mall site. Then people had a fit and he changed it to perhaps we should renovate the old schools. Let's tell it like it is instead of coming right out with it. Joe has said he's not crazy about it. At least he wasn't afraid to speak up.
Maybe pro-Republican letters don't get published because there aren't any!
What Ken and Joe are really saying is I better not take a stance on this, because it could cost me the election. Same with Cockayne. You can only change your mind so many times before people catch on. Hey boys, We're not that stupid!
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