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.
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.
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The following was submitted by Frank Caine, a member of the new group Focus on Weston (FocusOnWeston.org):
Just about one year ago, I submitted a letter to the Town Crier in which I summarized my reactions to the presentation by the Weston School Committee regarding its proposed fiscal 2021 budget. I said in the opening paragraph of that letter that I am not an educator, but I have the highest regard for those who are. And that is still true. And I care about Weston students getting the best possible preparation for college and for life.
But I would like to frame, once again, the issues that I believe exist in the school portion of the town budget because we are beginning to enter the FY22 budget season and the issues haven’t really changed very much. Even though none of this is new, it is still important, and as residents and parents we do have another opportunity to ask ourselves, “Are we getting what we’re paying for?”