Neil Diver
The following was submitted by Neil Diver, a member of the new group Focus On Weston (FocusOnWeston.org):
You may have seen Focus on Weston articles in the Town Crier describing some of the financial and leadership challenges facing our town. And if you are on one of the Weston Facebook pages, you may also have read related comments, some of them constructive, others sarcastic and/or ill-informed.
In early May, just a few weeks from now, we will elect town leaders who have the authority and responsibility to manage important aspects of our local government. And the following week, at our annual Town Meeting, we will vote on the town and school budget, and other issues that will determine our property taxes for the next year.
Wicked Local
TO THE EDITOR:
The Weston League of Women Voters will sponsor a Candidates Night on Thursday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. We have invited the candidates for the contested board seats to participate Chris Houston and Keith Johnson for one seat on the Select Board; Ken Newberg, Tricia Liu and Attia Linnard for two seats on the School Committee; Jennifer Kickham, Heidi Wyle and James Bradner for one seat on the Board of Health; and Melissa Crocker, Marcy Dorna and Peter Hill for two seats on the Recreation Commission.
If you have a question for a candidate, please submit it in advance to tackc@aol.com. There will be no live questions, but we will pose as many questions as time allows. The link for the event will be made available a week in advance.
OPINION: Time for a reckoning on Weston s school report card
John Sallay
The following was submitted by John Sallay:
Relative to comparable affluent Boston area school districts, Weston Public School academic performance is not exceptional, despite per pupil expenses that are 26% higher than these comparable districts. In a town so dedicated to academic excellence, these facts are doubly concerning since the School Committee rather than urgently addressing these issues is now proposing another budget increase, despite declining enrollment, and an $80,000 recreation planning study. This study will most likely result in plans for more school athletic facilities, on top of the $5 million we spent to renovate the football field and track a few years ago.
Frank Caine
The following was submitted by Frank Caine, a member of the new group Focus on Weston (FocusOnWeston.org):
Because “Hope is not a strategy, successful organizations create plans that outline goals, actions and accountability. The Weston Public Schools needs to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure its long-term success, a plan that focuses on outcomes (again, are we getting what we are paying for?) and lays the groundwork for creating reasonable budgets, measured success, and a competitive advantage over other towns.
Now is the time to act, as there are several key challenges facing the district:
1. Our school enrollment is shrinking and is projected to do so for the next 10 years.
Annunziata Varela
Special to the Crier
In 1985, when Marty McFly was trying to get back to the future, Ed Taff was focused on securing the future of the Weston Public Schools (WPS). Taff, a Weston resident, helped launch the Weston Education Enrichment Fund Committee (WEEFC), which has provided more than $8 million toward grants to help foster innovation and excellence throughout the district. This school year marks WEEFC s 35th anniversary as the organization kicks off a 35-themed fundraiser to reflect on its past and address budget shortfalls in the present.
History of WEEFC
In anticipation of budget constraints following the passage of Proposition 2-and-a-half in Massachusetts, Taff proposed a charitable foundation to receive tax-deductible contributions for the enrichment of the town’s school programs.