Curbside, School Bond Fail; SB2, Contracts Pass
6,500 ballots weren't enough for an unprecedented election.
More people turned out for the 2012 Salem town and school elections than any of its kind in recent memory.
The town and school district printed 6,500 ballots, 50 percent more ballots than the approximately 4,400 cast in the 2010 election, which also had a school renovation bond up for consideration.
By the scheduled poll closing time of 7 p.m., all six locations ran out of ballots. Ballots then had to be photocopied and after the extended poll closing at 8 p.m., those ballots had to be hand-counted.
Originally, ballots were expected to be counted and results reported by 8:30 p.m. Because so many votes had to be hand-counted, that extended past midnight.
Town Moderator Chris Goodnow, who expressed apologies throughout the evening for what happened and bore sole responsibility for the problems, said 6,836 ballots were cast in this election, representing about a 40 percent turnout.
When the results were tallied and reported at just before 2 a.m., the voices of Salem voters could finally be heard loud and clear.
A nonbinding referendum on curbside pickup was soundly defeated by a 5,353-1,466 margin.
This coming Saturday will be the final second deliberative session of town meeting (where a binding article on curbside pickup will be considered) after an article to adopt the SB 2 form of town government shattered the required 60 percent majority to win 4,342 to 1,577.
The school renovation bond on the school warrant, which would have bonded $21.5 million to renovate the Fisk, Soule and Haigh Schools, fell short of the needed 60 percent majority by about 300 votes, failing with 3,654 in favor and 2,928 against.
All 10 union contracts on both sides of the ballot passed, attempts to change the Planning and Zoning Boards from elected to appointed failed, both town and school operating budgets passed while a requirement for sprinklers in some new homes in Salem was repealed.
Jim Keller and Everett McBride were elected selectmen, defeating Ron Belanger, Tony McKeon and Carl Swiderski.
"I'm very, very excited," said McBride. "Every issue I campaigned on went exactly the way I asked voters to support it."
McBride said he plans to continue to push the conservative issues he championed during the campaign.
"I'm thrilled," Keller said. "We worked hard and I'm glad we worked hard. It was pretty darn close. I'm humbled and it's time to get to work."
Belanger was upset with the voting problems in the election and said voters were "disenfranchised" after the polling hours were extended to 8 p.m. He felt some voters may not have been aware that would happen and left before 7 p.m.
"That's over with," Belanger said. "You don't cry over spilt milk. You go forward. I'm sure both of them will do a good job."
Bob Bryant, Dane Hoover and incumbent Paul Huard were elected to the Budget Committee; Paul Pelletier and incumbent Phyllis O'Grady were elected to the Planning Board and incumbent Patricia Frydryck was elected to the Supervisors of the Checklist in the only other contested races.
Michael Carney, Jr. and incument Pamela Berry won an uncontested election for School Board.
Amy Dailey
8:09 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
I am appalled by the voters in this town to vote down the school renovations. The children desperately needed our support and we failed them.
Don Duston
8:28 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
If the fools that run the School System presented the 5 school plan that demonstrated some creativity and savings to the Town, I and a number of others would have voted in favor of the renovation plan. Since it only fell short by 300 votes, this really highlights the short-sightedness of those that would not compromise and thought they could jam their 6 school plan down the throats of the taxpayers. For the School Board, Superintendent and SOS its back to the drawing board, What a shame and what a waste of time. Next time it may pay to listen to the entire community, not just the members of your exclusive clubs.
Salem Tax
12:56 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ms. Dailey,
Voters have all rights to vote as they see fit. Voters will not vote in an affirmative fashion due to insults and ridicule, voters will vote for a plan that makes sense for all:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=3AQH8zHMIAQHBbDbFxflwwwVjSlGf60sWRInGIYYfu5tDWA
Michelle Blaikie
11:29 am on Thursday, March 15, 2012
I totally agree with you Amy! You said it perfectly!
Maureen Mulledy Hanlon
8:27 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The town ran out of ballots starting at 5:30pm at all the polls. It only lost by 300 votes.Talk to any kid in town that goes to one of these deplorable schools, especially the High School. They feel as though no one cares about them. I am appalled that our form of government relies on 60% of the vote for schools to be renovated. I am so sad for our community. My property value has just taken a tumble!! It is very sad indeed.
Don Duston
8:41 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
@Maureen, oh please. I have not seen real estate agents heading for the hills this morning because of this vote, how dramatic. Whine all you want but you should be focusing your anger at the School Board, Superintendent and SOS for their stubborn stance to try to jam this 6 school renovation plan down the throats of the taxpayer. Many of us would have voted for a 5 school plan that showed some creativity and concern for the taxpayer. But no, the elitists in this Town want things their way, they do not want to compromise. Maybe these folks learned a lesson, next time around they will have to listen to voter ideas outside their exclusive club.
Julio Marko
6:36 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
@Maureen, well I can only imagine what its like to organize and run an election. If you look at the recent years and number of voters, according to 2010 there was reported 3200 voters, and last years was 4000. And if we had 6800 voters this year, clearly it was unexpected. So first of all, do your research, and second, you try and plan accordingly and run an election before you comment on something you have no idea what you are talking about. And everyone's property value has taken a hit so stop complaining. And as to your comment below responding to "underwater couple", like I said, do your research, then make your comments; and anyone has the right to stay anonymous, doesn't mean a thing.
Brian Sacco
8:44 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
the 60% rule has to go.. what a joke.. shameful.. people in this town need a clue. How can you pass 3 elmentary schools and say no to the others?? awful
Jeff Hatch
8:51 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Because Bernie gave me a reason to
JeffD
9:21 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Good point Jeff H.
Salem Tax
12:53 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mr. Sacco,
The 60% rule is in place to prevent what occured last year, when a handful of citizens brought forth a large payment that all taxpayers had previously voted down, and this action created a large tax burden for many. The voters have spoken, the renovation plan that was chosen was not 6 but 5 schools. It would be better to expend effort on promoting the 5 school plan if a 2013 victory is the goal:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=3AQH8zHMIAQHBbDbFxflwwwVjSlGf60sWRInGIYYfu5tDWA
Salem Tax
7:55 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mr. Sacco,
The reason 60% did not vote for the plan is because the voters have determined that the town no longer needs 6 schools. It would have been better to offer both the 6 school and the 5 school plan to allow voters to make a decision, but that was not the case, the voters have determined they prefer this plan:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=lAQFPrVPNAQHuTyNc03Ue5ySG_34EPMrtPNvCu2fXAFXrsw
Brian Sacco
8:50 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The school vote loses by 300 votes, yet the trash vote gets crushed by 4,000 votes and it gets a second chance on saturday? insane.. so glad that got voted down for the future but this is backwards.. It's like saying you won the game but not by enough points.. disgrace...
JeffD
9:15 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
You mean we can still get trash pickup!!!! Whoopie!! I will most certainly go Saturday to vote again on that!
Salem Tax
12:59 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mr. Sacco
Clearly the trash pickup article is what brought the masses out to vote. It is obvious by the results, the voters intentions were to vote No. The economic reality is a voter that votes No to spending has very good reasons for doing so. The reason the no vote on School renovations failed:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=3AQH8zHMIAQHBbDbFxflwwwVjSlGf60sWRInGIYYfu5tDWA
Jill Sacco
8:58 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
@ Underwater couple and all you other closed minded prople ... you are what is WRONG with this town!! Shameful! We are all in the same boat , but to say no to the children in this town, to pass 3 schools but leave 3 behind is disgusting!!!! To be spiteful to vote against because of a " plan that never was " either is more disgraceful. You people set this community WAY BACK lat night!! Go pay income tax and sales tax in another state and complain!!!! Your house value will only continue to decline and the fact that the nay sayers in this town can't see that is mind blowing!!! SAD SAD SAD!! You should all be ashamed ... What town passes half a school system !! Listen to the popular vote also!! I am not alone!! 60 % ?? A person can become president on 51% ... Backwards !!!!!
Salem Tax
1:03 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ms. Sacco,
when calling voters "close minded" "wrong" "shameful" "disgusting" "spiteful" "disgraceful" "wayback" "sad" How do you expect voters to agree with your side of the argument? The voters are not saying "no to the children" they are saying no to the 6 school plan.
The voters are saying Yes hopefully next year to this plan:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=3AQH8zHMIAQHBbDbFxflwwwVjSlGf60sWRInGIYYfu5tDWA
B.C.M.
9:01 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
My son is a Junior at Salem High and has to deal with leaky ceilings, mold and rodents daily, he will and would never see any these school renovations or future ones but I was for phase II and am disappointed for current and future students. It is time to move on and forward and find a plan that more residents will support. The only thing I want to say as these dicussions move forward is for people to respect the way other people in our communtiy voted, it is a right and wether or not you or I agree they should be applauded for educating themselves and voting. Think of the other 5,000 to 6,000 thousand registered voters in our town that didn't even take the time to vote.
Brian
3:03 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Nicely put B.C.M. ... I couldn't agree more
Grumpy Grandma
9:03 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
I am an elderly woman who lives in this town and have grandchildren going to these deplorable schools. My property value has gone down tremendously and I will never recoup the cost of my home, but the children in this town should have what the other schools in the town already got even though my tax rate will go up, I feel as though the children deserve a decent place to learn and a clean safe environment. By improving the schools it can only help the values of the real estate. I hope the people who got the new schools are happy becasue the rest of the towns children are now going to suffer.
JeffD
9:12 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Spare us the dramatics. The world isnt ending.
Candice Richardson
9:21 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Thumbs up to you Grumpy Grandma for caring about all the children in Salem!
Jill Sacco
9:07 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
This town needed your vote ... This community needed your vote ... The children needed your vote THAT is where the problem lies!!
JeffD
9:11 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The town got our vote. The community got our vote. The children got our vote. You just didnt like the outcome. Come up with a more reasonable alternative next time.
Salem Tax
8:01 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ms. Sacco,
Which town do you speak of? We are all part of the same town, there is the problem, the supporters and the detractors belong to the exact same town. The exact same residents of the town are the community. The children need more than votes, they need proper administrative controls over spending and maintenance, it was not the voters that let the children down it was the administration. Yesterday's election was only the beginning of voters taking back control of Salem. It would be wise for the administration to begin to listen.
School Board Member Bernard Campbell knows what plan should be used:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=lAQFPrVPNAQHuTyNc03Ue5ySG_34EPMrtPNvCu2fXAFXrsw
Business As Usual
9:11 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Although I voted the issue down, I feel that our children deserve the best facilities to learn from, the best equipment and the best teachers we can give them. If the Selectman in town would stop coming up with ways to make out taxes go up so much, maybe others would feel that and increase for schools is worth it. Our taxes go up so much EVERY year, it really puts us in a position to vote it down.
JeffD
9:21 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The SOS crowd doesnt care if everyone's taxes goes up every year. They only care about themselves.
Alyson
9:14 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Why would you be OK to upgrade 5 of the 6 schools? That is ridiculous. Haigh is not going anywhere any time soon. The school has attendance and will continue to have strong attendance. The town would have seen even high attendance if the school was improved. Less people would send their children to private school if the Salem Schools were more up to date! I am so ashamed at my town that they did not pass this for the children of the town.
Candice Richardson
9:19 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
I agree with you about sending children to private schools. My oldest is only in the third grade but I have already told my husband that if the HIgh School is not renovated our children will not be attending SHS. As a teacher I could not feel good about sending my children to a school in such a condition as Salem High School, and believe me having to pay a private high school tuition for 1 child, let alone 2 at the same time would be a hardship for us to say the least.
Candice Richardson
9:14 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
My children attend a school that has been renovated, yet I voted to renovate the remaining schools. I firmly believe that the school renovation did not pass due the the ballot issue. I was at the Soule School selling Girl Scout cookies in the warmth and sunshine when the ballots ran out, and I did not get to cast my vote until 9 PM. With each delay of the paper ballots, and the ballots running out a second time more people left the lines. I was lucky, my husband was home with my three children while I stood in the line and waited to vote but many families did not have such an option. Being a teacher myself (not in Salem) I believe the voters of Salem should be ashamed of themselves for allowing the children in these schools to continue learning under these conditions.
Salem Tax
12:48 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ms. Richardson,
The "conditions" of the schools are due to deferring maintenance for other expenditures that were not as valuable to the education of the children.
The space problems, are due to class sizes being too small to accomodate all the children in the schools. Had the class sizes been more reasonable and the teacher/child ratios more proportionate to the building envelope and financial resources of the school district, there would be no need to have students attend classes under stairwells and in closets. This problem was created by and perpetuated by the School district and used to promote a positive vote for renovations.
Salem voters chose a better plan:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=3AQH8zHMIAQHBbDbFxflwwwVjSlGf60sWRInGIYYfu5tDWA
Business As Usual
9:20 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The curbside issue will be brought to a vote AGAIN on Saturday.
So, if you feel pleased about the outcome of the vote at the polls, be at the Salem High School this Saturday morning at 9:00 and voice you're opinion.
This is a VERBAL vote, so numbers means everything!
Richard Cooney
10:20 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Selectmen stated that if the curbside non binding vote was agaist curbside, they would move to pass over the article at Saturday's meeting. I expect them to live up to their promise.
Richard Cooney
Member of the Solid Waste Committee
Brian Sacco
9:58 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The problem is that some people forget where they came from. They forget that people paid for there public education. To allow some children in brand new buildings and not others is a shame. The schools are part of the infrastructure of the town, to leave half falling apart, and now not have a chance to fix the woodbury or high school is a travesty. Roads, bridges etc, the town is going to get old real fast, and i dont want to be a part of a crumbling town. What a mistake. A huge mistake
Salem Tax
12:44 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mr. Sacco,
The voters did not forget who paid for the public education, they did. They trusted the town and school with land and money to build the schools present today, and the school admin did not maintain them as they should have. Voters decided that paying to renovate schools that were not maintained or schools that are no longer needed due to decreased enrollments was not the plan that was best for the town, instead the voters determine this plan would be best:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=3AQH8zHMIAQHBbDbFxflwwwVjSlGf60sWRInGIYYfu5tDWA
Salem Tax
8:06 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mr Sacco,
Please remember that School board Chairman Peter Morgan has admitted that maintenance was purposely deferred in anticipation that the work needed would be done with the renovation bond. He was warned that this type of decision making is risky, and it was. Woodbury and Salem High will be renovated at some time, and not necessarily after the remaining elementary schools are done. Again, the plan for the elementary schools for next year should be:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=lAQFPrVPNAQHuTyNc03Ue5ySG_34EPMrtPNvCu2fXAFXrsw
Maureen Mulledy Hanlon
10:13 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
To JeffD and Mr Duston, I think you can make your comments using more respectful words instead of the words you use like"whine" and "the world isn't coming to an end".
JeffD
10:53 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Maureen, the world isnt coming to end. Next time have a more reasonable approach to the renovations.
Salem Tax
12:40 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ms. Hanlon,
Please note that the reason these school buildings are in deplorable condition has to do with deferred maintenance. Property needs to be maintained. The school district budget has 500K annually for this purpose. To defer maintenance because there is a bond project is a risk, the school district failed to recognize the risk of the bond failure and was unwilling to offer any other plan to the voters even when there was a plan available, now the voters have made their decision, they chose this plan:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=3AQH8zHMIAQHBbDbFxflwwwVjSlGf60sWRInGIYYfu5tDWA
Don Duston
4:22 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
@MaureenHanlon, instead of using the word whine how about using the word bellyaching? By the way, if I was unhappy about the results of the Town election, I would NOT be bellyaching to the Attorney General's office. You lost, you move on. Next time, come up with a better marketing plan. I thought your President of the SOS elitist club was some sort of a marketing whiz?
John Deane
10:14 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
There's middle ground here. We all want renovations, we all want better education for our kids, but the thought that it's "all or everyone's stupid and the sky will fall" is just an emotional response. We just want a more reasonable plan, that's all.
I have to say, too, that the over-hype and propaganda saturation didn't help the cause. There's good marketing, and then there's the tipping point where you start to mobilize the opposition and make some supporters think their being sold something. This renovations thing went too far over the top, and it's hyper-promotion only helped its defeat.
Salem Tax
8:09 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mr Deane
You have stated something that most have remarked about. There is a difference between PR and Marketing. There is also a difference between professional marketing and the Delphi Method, used to create a false consensus where there is none. The Delphi Method was in play during this election period, however it was not done properly and it showed.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=lAQFPrVPNAQHuTyNc03Ue5ySG_34EPMrtPNvCu2fXAFXrsw
Tom Rice
10:22 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Its my Understanding that Sat will be a Secret Ballot Vote has anyone heard this as well.
Salem Tax
8:11 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mr Rice,
A secret ballot requires 5-7 signatures (each petition) and those who sign must be present at the meeting. It also delays the vote for 1 hr at least. There are no articles in Saturday's meeting that would be of concern and warrant a secret ballot given the population that is expected to attend the meeting, it would be a significant delay. It is something that can be done, however.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=lAQFPrVPNAQHuTyNc03Ue5ySG_34EPMrtPNvCu2fXAFXrsw
Russ Richardson
12:31 am on Thursday, March 15, 2012
Tom I stand corrected, Salem Tax is spot on. Been a while since I've attended a meeting.
Whitey Vulgar
10:57 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Bernie stated his case well to vote against Phase 2. Thanks to whoever posted the Youtube link. If they come back to the voters with a renovation proposal that makes sense, it will be voted in. See y'all on saturday, should be a circus. Hope they have enough seats for everybody who shows up..
Salem Tax
12:35 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
School board Member Bernard Campbell's 5 school plan:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=3AQH8zHMIAQHBbDbFxflwwwVjSlGf60sWRInGIYYfu5tDWA
Maureen Mulledy Hanlon
11:01 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
JeffD you are brave to say the disrespectful things you say while remaining virtually anonymous. Can you say something besides "the world isn't coming to an end?".
Tell me your ideas for a more reasonable plan for renovations. I am willing to hear you out without "whining".
JeffD
3:09 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
We can talk, that is after you and your buddies at SOS have finished sueing the town (SOS facebook page). Talk about sour grapes!
Salem Tax
8:12 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=lAQFPrVPNAQHuTyNc03Ue5ySG_34EPMrtPNvCu2fXAFXrsw
MJ Driggers
4:24 pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012
How accurate are these "projections?" Very curious to hear.... Thank you!
Tom Linehan
6:42 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
MJ Driggers these projections are usually fairly good. I can only think of one other time that they ran out of ballots. Then no one had to wait. They had ballots copied before they ran out.
John Murphy
11:56 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Hey the schools need the work. If a school looks good and has up to date equipment children tend to pay more attention and want to stay in school. I worked in the K9 unit for 18 years for the Sheriffs dept and have had the opportunity to conduct drug searches in some of the schools in Boston and they are in very bad shape and when it shows that the city doesn't care why would the childern care and stay in school and we all know what happens when young children do nothing but hang around it keeps our law enforcement busy
Amy Dailey
12:02 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The 5 school model is not the best option. It only took into account IF enrollments were to drop. No one can predict the future. We have to deal with what we have now and what we have now are inadequate schools for some of our students. As a parent of a Haigh student my child deserves a quality education in a quality facility.
Salem Tax
12:33 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ms. Dailey, If as you say "no one can predict the future" how is it that you and your group of supporters are able to predict that enrollments will increase? The School Article failed because taxpayers do not want to pay for the future they want to pay for what is needed right now. It is fortunate that we were able to experience another person's idea of what that was, Mr. Bernard Campbell has presented the plan that should have been on the ballot. If that plan had been on the ballot, there would have been more celebrating on S.O.S. today rather than whining and griping. Had the administration listened to the will of the voters, at the school deliberative the position should have been to change the article to reduce it by the cost of renovating Haigh, repurpose Haigh and close it as a school. Demonstrate to the voters that the administration was actually listening. Both the S.O.S group and the voters were listening to school plans, just not the same one. It will be necessary to bring this plan to the voters if you want success:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=3AQH8zHMIAQHBbDbFxflwwwVjSlGf60sWRInGIYYfu5tDWA
John Salem
2:51 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
You actually can see that enrollement is droppoing in our schools
Please view attached link- It is the Department of Education showing presently we have 483 kids in 12th grade and 295 in First
http://my.doe.nh.gov/profiles/profile.aspx?oid=27739&s=&d=&year=2011&tab=student
Ron Wells
12:12 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Salem Municipal Solid Waste Committee has said from the beginning that if the voters did not approve the referendum the funding on the Deliberative Session Saturday should be tabled. We have no interest in going against the will of the voters. As gracious as we were in supporting the referendum, we will be just as gracious in seeing it end.
Russ Richardson
1:23 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
That's true Ron, but a motion to table needs to happen and be voted on by the meeting before that can happen. People still need to show up for that vote to put this matter to rest.
salem mom
1:40 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ms. Dailey, Ms. Hanlon, Mr. & Mrs. Sacco, Ms. Richardson,
Please do not forget that you need the votes on the very people you are berating to pass any future renovation plan. Without that vote, your threat that the HS will never get renovated will become a reality. Rather than berating the folks on this board, please take a leaf from Mr. Wells and accept where the vote came out. With the advertisement/propaganda and visibility that this vote had, the fact that it failed means that it is time to regroup and start to plan for next March. It is the plan that failed, not the voters. The turnout indicates that you got the true opinion of the Salem population and, by reading the posts here, you know that most support a renovation, just not the renovation plan that was proposed.
Let’s celebrate the success that our staff and teachers’ raises passed. Please let’s shake this off and go back and make a plan that will pass. I guess that will be up to the school board. I hope that they are up to that task. Hopefully the new blood on all thre major committees/boards can solve this problem.
R Freitas
2:16 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
I haven't heard anyone bring this up yet but what if, like kindergarden, pre-school becomes federally mandated? We're in this desperate situation right now because there has been little foresight and advance planning. It may not happen in the next year or two but what about five years down the road or ten? That would be right about when the high school or middle school would be up for renovations. Can you see it now? Right back to scrambling for portables so the school district can accomodate the numbers. Haigh School is an asset to the school district. To think about getting rid of such an asset is short-sighted.
Candice Richardson
11:13 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
As a teacher myself who has not seen a raise in several years I am very happy that the teachers recieved a raise. My children attend the Lancaster School and I could not be happier with the dedication of the teachers and the education my children are getting. The teachers there and throughout the district are wonderful.
Don Duston
3:20 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
@RFreitas, what if, what if, what if....................we are not in this situation due to lack of foresight, we are in this situation because the School District has not bothered to maintain the buildings that they have been hired to maintain. Buildings tend to crumble when you neglect their upkeep, year after year after year.
salem mom
3:24 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ms. Freitas, In a way, your hypothetical proves the rational behind many of the folks i know that voted no. The portables for the Kindergarten students were necessary becuase the school board and superintendent did not incorporate Kindergarten into our town when it was mandated. They waited until the 11th hour and then we as a town had no choice but to lease portables. Additionally, even if the Phase 2 renovations had been approved, we would not have been adding space to the last 3 elementary schools sufficient to support another full class, so once again we would have been in need of additions or portables.
Salem Tax
8:15 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Salem Mom,
The school district knew at least 3 years prior that Kindergarten was coming and as you stated waited and then had to purchase/lease portables to conform with state law requirements.
Now that enrollments have gone down, the portables are no longer needed.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=lAQFPrVPNAQHuTyNc03Ue5ySG_34EPMrtPNvCu2fXAFXrsw
JeffD
3:25 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Dont bother Don, the SOS group is going to sue the town, look at their Facebook page.
Salem Tax
8:18 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
JeffD
The town acted properly during this election considering the historic turnout. No lawsuit will be successful in this matter and it is cost prohibitive to attempt litigation regarding this matter. What you see is a group that wishes they had listened to the
others in the beginning or at least listen to Bernie Campbells 5 school plan:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=lAQFPrVPNAQHuTyNc03Ue5ySG_34EPMrtPNvCu2fXAFXrsw
Maureen Mulledy Hanlon
3:25 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Again, JeffD anonymous comments are not very nice of you.
Salem Tax
8:22 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ms. Hanlon,
Your SOS posts on facebook indicate that your group intends a protest on Salem High School property on Saturday morning before the deliberative session. The intent of your protest is to draw attention to the lack of ballots and possible voter turn away. Your group intends to protest with your children there as well.
What does your group want to accomplish by this action?
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRaGJA55lQ8g%26feature%3Dcontext%26context%3DC3ee0b18ADOEgsToPDskIphQf9Lrf3UL4LxMTlzeB0&h=lAQFPrVPNAQHuTyNc03Ue5ySG_34EPMrtPNvCu2fXAFXrsw
JeffD
3:36 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Oh so sorry Maureen, its funny I see you spearheading that cause on Facebook. By the way, you dont have to list Beth Roth and Sue Covey, they are not selectmen anymore. If you want non SOS people to help you with your cause, sueing the town is not the way to go.