Please see attached Letter from the Superintendent. Kim Eves
Director of Communications
Greenwich Board of Education
290 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
www.greenwichschools.org
Phone: 203-625-7415
e mail: kim_eves@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Fax: 203-869-8003
Letter from the Superintendent
February 12, 2010
To The Greenwich Community:
As part of the BET’s annual budget review process, the Superintendent, Board of Education Chairman, and the BET Budget Committee met on Thursday for an in-depth, five-hour discussion of the schools’ 2010-11 Budget request. The Greenwich Time chose to focus a front page article with a sensational headline on a two-minute exchange that took place at the Thursday meeting and thus missed the essence of the conversation onresource allocation and accountability.
I was asked to comment on the comparison of our buildings to those in other districts with which I am familiar. My frank response was that overall our buildings are not as well maintained or up to date as those in some other districts. I stated that while much is provided for in the way of technology, furniture and supplies, the physical buildings are not what I would have expected in a community such as Greenwich. While I acknowledged the success and importance of tax rate stabilization, I questioned whether the current practicesfor funding were serving the schools’ needs. Had the discussion continued I would have applauded the Town’sspending of over $60 million on two new schools, Glenville and Hamilton Avenue, and the millions of dollars spent for repairs and maintenance over the last several years.
The BET, RTM and the First Selectmen have to make tough financial decisions. Allocating resources requires planning and priorities. My perspective by the nature of my responsibilities is focused on the schools. I will always strongly advocate for our children. As I frequently state to the Board of Education, “I propose, but you dispose.” So, it is at the Town level too. I meant no criticism, despite the paper’s headlines, and I look forwardto my continued cooperative working relationship with everyone in our great Town.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sidney A. Freund
Superintendent
Greenwich Public Schools
HERE IS THE GREENWICH TIME
FRONT PAGE NEWS STORY:
Freund gives town low marks on schools upkeep
By Colin Gustafson
Staff Writer
Greenwich hasn't been taking good enough care of its schools -- and the long-standing reluctance in town to add to the tax burden is partly to blame.
That was the message first-term schools chief Sidney Freund had for finance board members Thursday when asked to speak candidly about the condition of schools.
"(The schools) are not in nearly the condition that I would have expected from Greenwich," Freund told the members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation's Budget Committee during a review of the school board's capital budget at Town Hall. His remarks came in response to a question by long-time BET member Larry Simon.
"I don't think you've done a good job improving and maintaining your facilities (based) on what I've seen in other districts a lot less affluent," added Freund who took over just over seven months ago.
Town schools have languished, inside and out, with aging furniture, building spaces and other facilities in need of repair or replacement, the superintendent said. ....
....One official defended the funding philosophy, saying it's helped sustain the town's financial health.
"Overall, the town is the single most successful community in this country, financially," said BET budget committee member Michael Mason.
"I'm not saying it's not," Freund replied. "We're talking frankly. You asked me your question, I gave you my honest answer."....
...."we have grossly underinvested in our schools and our capital projects overall," Simon added. "If (Freund) thinks it's bad today, he should have been here eight years ago."....
....A message seeking further comment was left for Freund Thursday.
A Message Was Left On Wednesday For Greenwich Time Cub Reporter Colin Gustafson, But He Was Too Afraid To Return The Call.
Apparently Colin Can Dish Out Phone Calls That Make Administrators Sweat, But He Is Not Man Enough To Return A Tough Phone Call About The January 4th Anthony Byrne Memo.
Cub Reporter Colin Had Time To Blog About The Phone Call That He Was Too Afraid To Return.
However, Colin Did Not Have The Guts To Pick Up The Phone And Dial Up Greenwich Roundup,
Even Though Colin Promised His Readers That He Would. Make The Call.
You Just Can't Trust Colin Or His Reporting.
Greenwich Roundup Would Like To Point Out That Greenwich Time Cub Reporter Did Not Interview One Parent About The Condition Of Their Children's Schools And Educational Equipment And Supplies.
Nor Did The Cub Reporter Reference What Community Leaders, Principals, Teachers And Parents Reported In The Last Harris Survey On School Satisfaction.
PLEASE SEE:
02/10/10 Greenwich Roundup Once Again Catches Colin "BOE BROWN NOSE" Gustafson Inaccurately Reporting The News
FOR THE RECORD:
Greenwich Schools Chief Dr. Sidney Freund Is 100% Correct About How The Schools Have Been And Are Currently Maintained.
The Only Reason The Town Had To Shell Out Town Over $60 Million on Glenville and Hamilton Avenue Is Because The Board Of Education Had Ignored Greenwich Children Year After Year After Year.
It Is A Shame That The Powers That Be Made Dr. Freumd Take Back And Modify His Honest Assessment Of The Condition Of Our Public School Facilities.
Things Are So Bad That Parents On The East Side Of Town Are Starting To Raise Serious Concerns About Their Elementary And Middle Schools.
There Have Been Mold And Other Problems In Cos Cob.
And Virtually No One Is Happy With The Condition Of Greenwich High School.
Parents Should Fully Support Dr. Freumd Desire To Improve Our Childrens School Facilities.
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