Short-sighted decision on Chelmsford override

Nicely said Mr. Shiau.

He was taught how to read by his parents, as was a number of other great people . This letter is nothing more than a disgruntled school committee backer that favors small class sizes and huge amounts of taxdollars being poured into a corrupt system. The extra curricular activities that your son/daughter is involved in your direct responsibility, why should the taxpayer have to pay for your kids chance at getting a sports scholarship? We are already footing the bill for their education, and thats what a "School" is for, not for throwing a football.
The reasoning that you give for class sizes is completely unfounded teachers union nonsense. If a child has the will to learn and his parents are equally active in their lives then they will excel at academics. Take Washington DC as a scenario: they spend more than double than what most school districts do around the US and yet their sat scores are one of the worst in the country. Also you can look at the NY school system as it is in the same boat. Money and small class sizes do not teach children the willingness to learn. If a child has parents who really care, then they will instill a willingness to learn regardless of whether there is 200 kids in their classroom. Your letter has no credible factual evidence and is only a poor portrayal of how the school depts across America have literally taxed the people into a corner. The fact in Chelmsford is that the School Dept wanted the overide to pass because they wanted a huge chunk of the cash (MILLIONS), so they could continue to get nice fat raises. The municipal side was asking for under 900k. But the school dept in their corrupt greediness had to put in on the ballot as "all or nothing". The health care costs for the school dept is entirely born on the municipal side making it even harder for the FD and PD to make ends meet. The bottom line is that Dr.Yeoman and his 165K per year salary is running a "HUGE Cash Cow" and finally it has been stopped.

Prop 2 1/2 was put into place to protect the taxpayers. Of course when one fails they raise existing fees and even put some new ones into place. When an override attempt fails the people of the town are saying that they can't or don't want to pay any more but the town officials, those that are elected to represent the people's will, don't. They think higher taxes and fees is always the solution. It's the easy way out for sure if it passes. That way none of those elected officials have to think.

Josh, for those that have to pay the $200 bus fee, there really isn't much difference between those dollars and override dollars unless a family has more kids. Honestly, I could make two piles of $200 and ask you which pile was for what and you couldn't tell.

A lot of people voted for the override even though it failed miserably. Talk to them, get them to make a large check out and donate it to the schools. Ask them to organize fund raisers for sports and other after school activities. I doubt you'll find many people willing to do that.

You know guys you lost me about a sentence or so in. Please, pause for a second. Did YOU (or, more likely, kids with more ambition than you) have to pay for those things when you were in school. NO

To me, that's the end of the discussion, it's your social obligation and responsibility to pay that forward.

If you want to argue about new programs and whether or not they deserve funding, well then, that's a discussion to have. But to try and deny today's kids the things you were provided is morally corrupt, plain and simple.

And to "Abraham Lincoln," that whole attitude YOU put forth is so insane even "Tyngsboro" would have to disagree with it. And he just sits on line all day looking for stuff to post about.

The last thing the Chelmsford SD needs is more $. They absolutely refused to look at the big picture - declining enrollment & a Town that can't afford to give the SD any more than the $45 MILLION they got. They never cut any admin positions and the IT department is grossly overstaffed and overpaid. They have a little private empire and no one is going to tell them what to do with "their" money. The new superintendent talks to Chelmsford taxpayers like we are 2nd graders - it is absolutely obscene he makes $165,000 a yr. The school committee are a bunch of wimps - they have seeded all decisions to the super- who refers all questions to 'Bob'- the business manager - who is a big part of the problem (but he only makes $117,000 a year).

Daniel wrote:

To me, that's the end of the discussion, it's your social obligation and responsibility to pay that forward.
But to try and deny today's kids the things you were provided is morally corrupt, plain and simple.

We are paying. As far as denying today's kids the things I was provided while I was in school, I agree 100%. Here you go:

My first 3 grades were in the same one room school and one teacher taught all three classes. There was no special ed, there was no kindergarten, there were no after school programs, there were no sports, there were no teachers aids, no paraprofessionals. There had to be 100 or more kids in the room. Grades 4 through 9 we had physical ed but no sports, I never took a school bus in my life. All schools were in Lowell.

So THAT explains why you're a cold, heartless, bitter old man! You're like a modern-day scrooge behind a computer all day! You don't wish anything better than what you had for anybody else! Man I am dying laughing here!

This is so rich! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

"The truth hurts" as that guy in Lowell says, huh?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA This is so great!

Daniel wrote:

You don't wish anything better than what you had for anybody else!

"But to try and deny today's kids the things you were provided is morally corrupt, plain and simple." Those were your words, Daniel, not mine.

You're living proof that an override, or any amount of money, won't make kids any smarter. The desire to learn is instilled by parents that care about their children. Yes, there's that exceptional teacher that comes along once in awhile but it's a rare occurrence.

BTW, I'm not bitter, cold, or heartless. Quite the contrary. I'm also very generous. You couldn't know otherwise.

Oh my God, nice work Daniel, this is too funny. Now I have it, he's an old dude somewhere in tyngsboro wearing a wifebeater and boxer shorts eating lobster from a can and tap tap tapping on his keyboard ALL DAY trying to irritate people with his crotchety rantings! The truth does hurt! Huh?
Oh man, what a coot!
He wants kids to be 100 in a classroom, with no heat I'll bet, HAHAHAHAHA What a joke!

Wow he claims he made it to ninth grade! That's a crock! There's no way! His thoughts are way to clowded, he's an 85 year old with a spell checker and a sixth grade education, I'd bet his SS on it!

Haven't we beat this poor dead horse for far too long? It's time to move on. The override lost and that's that. Get over it. If you're still in denial then go see a therapist.
There are far more important current issues to talk about like the oil/gas price crisis.

Hey! Tony's back! Where you been you little dickweed we missed you!

The truth hurts wrote:

His thoughts are way to clowded, he's an 85 year old with a spell checker

You should look into getting a spell checker too. Find one that does grammar as well.

This is what are schools are turning out.

The truth hurts wrote:

Oh my God, nice work Daniel, this is too funny. Now I have it, he's an old dude somewhere in tyngsboro wearing a wifebeater and boxer shorts eating lobster from a can and tap tap tapping on his keyboard ALL DAY trying to irritate people with his crotchety rantings! The truth does hurt! Huh?
Oh man, what a coot!
He wants kids to be 100 in a classroom, with no heat I'll bet, HAHAHAHAHA What a joke!

Opportunity for you, I went to Nashua the other day and Tyngsboro Dunkin Donuts had a 'now hiring' sign out front. A giant step up for you if you can get the job.

Alright grandpa, that was ALMOST funny, NOT! WHAT AN OLD COOT!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA

Taxpayer in Tyngsboro wrote:

Alright grandpa, that was ALMOST funny, NOT! WHAT AN OLD COOT!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA

Two fact for you, truth,
1. I wasn't joking.
2. With a little luck everyone will get to be old. I hope your world is filled with people like you when it's your turn.

Daniel wrote:

Nicely said Mr. Shiau.

Sounds like sour grapes to me!

Taxpayer wrote:

<quoted text>
Two fact for you, truth,
1. I wasn't joking.
2. With a little luck everyone will get to be old. I hope your world is filled with people like you when it's your turn.

They are all ready for the "soylent green" philosophy. Their days will be worse! If in fact the population at that time doesn't decide to euthanize them because they are a burden to society.

Alright, you old jerks have a fun week without me, I have to go pack for Palm Springs. I'd send a postcard but you'd probably eat it.