Newark Schools cutbacks: They were only kidding

Having written here February 1, 2007 that Newark School Board had agreed to listen to taxpayers

and on January 30, 2007 that ...

the board was to be congratulated for slicing unnecessary jobs, programs and extra-curricular activities

and on January 21, 2007 that ...

implementation of student fees was on target ...


... I take it all back.

I was wrong to believe in the board's willingness to follow the desires and needs of taxpayers. The whole thing was a PR stunt to placate the pissed-off masses.

After all that posturing, the board has already - lo, these few months later - decided to hump property owners again for an additional $3.5 million which will allow the schools to restore about half of what was cut. Whether it is up for vote next election or not, this is what has been decided, based on published reports.

Meantime, they continue to hold as a club over parents within two miles of each school the prospect of having to provide their own student transportation.

Taxpayers to Newark Schools should know by now that if the district wins this vote, it will be back a few months later asking for more. School administrators, teachers, and unions work for one thing and that is self-enrichment. Living within a set budget and of being up front with citizen-taxpayers is a temporary PR gimmick.

Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice? I don't think so.