jackiedoherty.org

Today’s Boston Globe had an interesting column by Adrian Walker in support of Election Day Registration. I agree with Walker: “The real issue here isn’t lack of money, or fraud. It’s inertia. There just isn’t any sense of urgency about voting issues. The way people register and vote now has worked just fine for the people who already hold office. Why change it now?” In an earlier post, I discussed reasons why Massachusetts should join many other states, including neighbors New Hampshire and Maine, and allow people to register AND vote on election day. According to this New England Cable News interview between Chet Curtis and Avi Green, executive director of MassVOTE, a non-partisan voters rights organization; Massachusetts ranks 21^st in voter turnout. (Green does a decent job of addressing opposing concerns during the interview.)

As our own recent local elections have shown, we in the Merrimack Valley are not strangers to voter apathy. What is strange, however, is the apparent silence from the Lowell Sun on this issue. Despite its regular lament on poor voter turnout, which is often accompanied by a suggestion for an appointed school committee as if that would induce more folks to vote (a pet peeve of mine), the local paper has not written one editorial on Election Day Registration. Meanwhile, the bill languishes while the clock is ticking to pass this legislation in time for the upcoming presidential election. I heard our own State Senator Steve Panagiatakos is working out a compromise to make it happen—thanks Steve! But from where I sit, S2514 should pass: We’re looking at voter increases of about 250,000 more young people, minorities, and perhaps even those who had given up on the system. The fact is, without voters, we don’t have a democracy, and this bill will help bring voters back. Then again, we could just go to appointed school committees (selectmen, councilors, whatever) and forget the whole election thing…

LiL has also written on this issue with 30 comments responding to this post.

I tuned in late, but was impressed by the school department panel who answered parent questions (see below for full panel) at last night’s Citywide Parent Council meeting.  The CPC had three broad questions for the whole panel: 1. How will budget changes affect their jobs and the students they serve (I missed this one, but the meeting will be rebroadcast on LET Channel 22, starting next Monday night.) 2. What can a parent expect from their school, and what is the best way to communicate a concern (one way to answer the last part of this question is to see the CPC’s excellent “How-to Guide for Parents in the Lowell Public Schools.”) 3. What change would they make if money were no object? The answers to the last question were great, especially from Jim DiProfio, who wished for money to “level the playing field,” and give kids what they need, whether it’s a bus pass, a meal, or a visit to a college campus.  Eilish Connaughton agreed, adding she’d restore Allied Arts to the middle schools. Cut in 2003, industrial arts, cooking and sewing programs may seem like fluff to budget hawks, but as Principal Connaughton pointed out, they offer hands-on opportunities that open doors for some struggling students, especially during those difficult middle years.  

A timely question, this one by email, was whether a young family should leave Lowell because of budget cuts to our schools (see comments under previous post). The answers were illuminating: Pam Buchek shared testimony about Lowell teachers who have been to workshops in other districts returned marvelling at how far ahead our schools are in curriculum and instruction; Jean Franco spoke of student diversity; Wendy Jack mentioned that four LHS graduates will attend MIT and one will go to Harvard this year. And Fred McOsker talked about the ability to go from pre-K to a doctoral degree without leaving Lowell. (Lots of our local leaders talk about the K-16 and beyond pathway available in Lowell which is an exciting way to think about it!) It was great to see the commitment and passion these educators bring to their jobs; thanks to the CPC and the Lowell Public Schools for producing such an informative meeting!  more »

A subcommittee meeting tonight, May 20, at 5 pm in Council Chambers may determine the fate of recycling efforts in Lowell, according to an update from my husband Jay Mason, who is a member of the Citizens Action Committee (CAC) for recycling. Interested folks should attend the meeting because even though it looks like the recycling program will continue—at least for now—how that happens has not been decided yet. The manager and council must modify the program, which has been costing the city millions, to see whether residents will improve recycling from the current rate of 10% up to 30% at least. The CAC advocates a plan that combines an increased base fee with a pay as you through (PAYT) program. The base fee would increase from $100 to $150 per year, and residents would pay $1.50 per bag for trash disposal. Even with this plan, however, Lowell’s recycling program will not pay for itself, but the city’s cost would plummet from a $4.4 million deficit to a $200,000 deficit—a major step in the right direction. Also, depending on ordinances for bulky items and electronics, the city could do better financially. The increased base and PAYT system will offer citizens a disposal program that incentivizes recyclers, makes those who don’t recycle pay for it, and provides an affordable way for the city to be environmentally responsible. How can we not do it? Note: Earlier posts on this topic can be found here, on Dick Howe’s blog, as well as on LiL.

The Citywide Parent Council will meet tonight at Lowell High School, in the LET Channel 22 TV studio for a question and answer session with a panel of LPS administrators, including principals from each level and representatives from central office. Given the planned budget cuts and change in leadership at the district level, this will give parents a chance to air concerns and get information.  The meeting will be broadcast live on channel 22 and viewers can call in with questions or email to lowellcpc@comcast.net (questions may be sent in advance of the meeting). 

In addition, the CPC will be electing officers for next year.  Jackie and I both served on the executive board of the CPC and found it a rewarding experience.  You don’t have to be an officer to be on the board, and it is a great way to get the ‘big picture’ of the Lowell schools, meet other involved parents, work closely with the superintendent and her staff, and make a real difference for all Lowell school children.  If interested, contact any of the current board members or show up tonight and sign up; it’s as easy as that!

Today’s article in the Globe about a non profit that builds and donates raised-bed gardens to low-income households along with Dick’s post on Victory Gardens got me thinking about The Omnivore’s Dilemma again. As I’ve said before, anyone who eats should read this book by Michael Pollan – it will truly change the way you think about food! Of course, whether that translates to changed behavior is a different story.  I haven’t eaten fast food for over 20 years, ever since I realized how bad it made me feel, and I avoid transfat and processed foods, but I have not become a “localvore,” the term for those who only eat locally produced food; I still buy strawberries in the winter and make salads every night, all year. The new dilemma is:  how much can one person do, and will it make a difference anyway?  A recent column by Pollan in the New York Times Magazine, entitled “Why Bother,” takes on this malaise and with typical Pollan thoroughness digs down to find its cause.  He traces it to the division of labor, allowing specialization, which has given us our modern civilization with all its advantages, but which has also created, in the words of the poet, Wendell Berry, whom Pollan quotes, “a split between what we think and what we do.”  Berry was writing about this issue during the oil crisis of the seventies (remember that quaint time of lines at the gas pump, when everyone was driving smaller cars, turning their heat down and not using their automatic dishwashers or clothes dryers?)  which he called a “crisis of character” caused by our overreliance on specialists to handle our every need.  This dependence has led to a feeling of helplessness in the face of an overwhelming problem such as climate change, so we decide to “cross our fingers and talk about the promise of ethanol and nuclear power–new liquids and electrons to power the same old cars and houses and lives.”  But Pollan is not hopeless, and his point is that we can, and should, bother, that we can and should try to grow a little of the food we eat. The benefits are many and to quote Berry again, “is one of those solutions that, instead of begetting a new set of problems — the way that ’solutions’ like ethanol or nuclear power inevitably do – actually beget other solutions”  (increased health and well-being for starters).  Can we really feed ourselves?  Maybe not entirely, but Pollan points out that the World War II Victory Gardens invoked by Dick Howe supplied more than 40% of our produce.  So, I second the motion, let’s get out there and plant something!

As noted in today’s Sun, Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch informed Superintendent Baehr yesterday that the city could provide an additional $200,000 in funds for the schools next year, enabling the restoration of four key positions to its FY09 budget. The enhanced communication between the city and its schools, along with an early commitment from the state on its education funding, have improved the school budget process—even though the approved budget required extensive staffing cuts due to limited resources. The school committee today voted unanimously to present the city with a total budget of $137,161,454, a less than 1% increase over last year and an amount that falls within the committed revenue. The loss of 60 positions will impact the quality of education students receive, effect class size and cause major staff disruptions particularly at the elementary schools, while demanding more from staff at all levels. This is the seventh year in a row of school cuts that total 360 positions eliminated since 2002. The committee also unanimously decided, however, to provide the council with a list of “priority positions” to be restored if additional funding is available. The superintendent will present that list at the next school committee meeting on Wednesday, May 21, in a tiered approach—with the most important restorations first. Despite the difficulty of making these cuts, the spirit of cooperation from the city has me hopeful (perhaps overly so?) that restoring more positions may be possible. The improved communication between the two sides of local government underscores how we’re all part of this community and we must all be invested in the education of our children even during difficult times. Without that commitment, I’m concerned the progress we have made in our schools will be diminished.  

The school committee will hold budget hearings tonight at 5:30 pm and tomorrow morning, 9:00 am, in city council chambers.  It is vital that parents and concerned citizens be on hand to see where the inevitable cuts will be made.  Chapter 70 funds (the money that the State allocates for education) for Lowell are being increased by less than 1% over the current budget.  Dr. Baehr’s budget of $136,961,454 calls for 61.5 positions to be eliminated and one school, the Varnum Elementary, to be closed.  Everyone knows we are in tough fiscal times, but these cuts will surely be detrimental to the progress our schools have made and everyone should be aware of what we stand to lose. I’ve been going to budget hearings and speaking out at city council meetings in support of school funding since 2003, and while we have seen our school system improve dramatically under Dr. Baehr’s leadership, it has been in the teeth of constant funding shortfalls.  I still regret the programs and services lost in 2003 that were never replaced – things like preschool transportation, enrichment classes at the middle schools, and science teachers at the elementary schools.  In fact, the Lowell Public schools have eliminated 300 teaching, support and administrative positions since 2002!  So, let’s be informed about the budget process, let’s be aware of what is being lost and ask ourselves as a community what we are willing to pay for.

Imagine if schools were judged not only for their MCAS scores, but also for how well they encourage student creativity, health, and engagement in a variety of activities—from debate teams to science fairs and art festivals. Given today’s tough fiscal climate and the narrowing of curriculum to meet test standards, this concept may seem like a fantasy, but the reality is schools need to do more than simply focus on reading and math. Last week, I attended a meeting on educating the “whole child,” an initiative of the Mass. Assoc. for Supervision and Curriculum Development (MASCD), the state chapter of a national group. In Lowell, our youngest students spend more time on math and reading that ever before—obviously important skills; but they no longer have science in the elementary grades, and across the district, music, art, gym and hands-on programs have been the most impacted by years of budget cuts.

Yet at the Bartlett School, due to a successful partnership with UMass Lowell, students enjoy art, dance, theater, fitness, and science experiments after school.  A week ago, I visited the program and was truly impressed. For instance, I watched as a spellbound audience of parents and children were transfixed by a student performance of The Untold Story of Little Red Riding Hood. Later, a group of youngsters did a riveting dance to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. As shown by the photos below, the quality of art work, created by children no older than eighth grade, was exceptional. 

These youngsters were engaged in painting, dancing, and experimenting with concepts of flight and electricity as an extension of their school day. With so many children checking out of school, either by literally dropping out or simply not trying, providing more opportunities that interest and engage them in learning is not only necessary for a 21^st century education, it’s vital preparation for their role as future leaders.

Another group focused on improving education statewide, Citizens for Public Schools, is sponsoring a campaign around educating the whole child; the whole child initiative is also part of Governor Patrick’s readiness project for improving public schools.

Fellow bloggers LiL and Richard Howe both post today on the recycling debate before the Lowell City Council. At issue is the fact that the city recycles at a rate of only 10% which results in a $4.4 million deficit in the cost of running the program. To recoup these expenses and encourage recycling, Lowell should do a combination of pay-as-you-throw (PAYT)—one bag a week per household with additional bags costing $1.50 each—along with a slight increase in the base fee (from $100 to $150 annually). This way, the city’s recycling program will break even while also encouraging more folks to recycle. Consider this: Brockton, a city similar in size and demographics to Lowell, recently instituted PAYT along with an annual base fee of $280; initial results show improvement, with 23% recycling. Worcester, a much larger city although also similar in demographics, has been charging PAYT since 1988 with great results—44% recycling. In Lowell, landlords pay the base fee for each unit, condo residents do not pay for recycling but do contribute to the general fund which is impacted by the deficit, and there is no overall requirement to recycle. Lowell should have an ordinance that mandates everyone recycle because even though it’s the right thing to do, unfortunately that’s not enough motivation for some folks. (Nor is the fact that it will save us all money in the long run.) Disclosure: My husband, Jay Mason, is a member of the city manager’s Green Building Commission and has been actively involved in the citizens’ movement to improve recycling in Lowell.

The Boston Globe did an article on walkable neighborhoods last week with a link to walkscore.com, a website that will calculate the ‘walkability’ of your neighborhood.  You don’t have to fill in a survey!  Just enter your address and they will figure out your score.  Of course, the system is not infallible, it just gives an approximation of how walkable your community is based on the proximity of businesses, schools, libraries, etc.; the highest score goes to those neighborhoods where you could actually conduct most of your daily business without needing a car.   My neighborhood in the Highlands only scored 43 out of 100, and while I walk a lot, I have to agree that it’s not prime walking territory. 

Speaking of walking, the McAuliffe Elementary School is participating in “Walking Wednesdays” this year, with their first walk to school event today!   I helped out with this effort at the Lincoln School last year; it was a lot of fun and a great way for families to walk together with teachers and administrators.  Walking Wednesdays is part of the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program which is a collaboration between State and Federal departments of transportation.  Good luck McAuliffe staff, students and volunteers – enjoy your walks!