Update. September 23, 2008
Dear Neighbors,
Last night, many of your school board members and ward 5 friends testified at -- and then sat through -- the City Council hearing at which our request to put a bond initiative for school renovation on the November ballot was rejected. We heard much praise for our plan, some earnest wishes that we work together in the future, but also talk that was paternalistic, bullying, and simply rude. I was reminded of two things: why the school board is a nearly autonomous department of the City, and why school commissioners do not run, or serve, as members of a political party. Our school district must not be allowed to become a political football that councilors trash to score points with their constituents.
I do want to single out your ward 5 city councilors for special praise – both Bill Keogh because he strongly supported the idea that the people of Burlington should decide this issue, and Joan Shannon, who disagreed with us but has been thoughtful, active, and engaged in speaking with Superintendent Collins, Fred, and myself over the last few weeks as we have worked to find common ground. I know that Bill and Joan will continue to work with us as we move forward, as we must do for the sake of our children, schools, and City. Michael Wood-Lewis, our neighbor on Caroline Street, and Donna Atwater, Assistant Principal at Edmunds Middle School, provided poignant testimony about the unacceptable inequities, and indignities, caused by our inaccessible buildings. Supporters of our master plan outnumbered detractors in public testimony last night, roughly 10-1.
Last night’s vote to delay our bond initiative until March prolongs the inevitable bill we must pay to renovate our facilities to be accessible, safe, secure, healthy, energy-efficient, equitable, and capable of supporting 21st century learning. There is no doubt that the School Board and Administration must work harder, and better, to make our case. We have plenty of homework. But those of you who care about the schools will have homework too in the future, because one thing I indelibly have learned over the past month is that the power truly rests with the people, and not with elected representatives. Your voices, like Michael’s last night, ring out far louder than ours can. The schools must reflect our best hopes, and values. Sometimes, that is an expensive proposition, but one that is unavoidable.
As an individual Commissioner, I pledge to continue moving forward in collegial partnership with the City Council and Administration. We are all in the business of ensuring a healthy and vibrant future for the City, and there is no doubt that our borrowing needs must be viewed in a larger context. At the same time, I sincerely hope I will never have to sit through another meeting like last night’s. . .
Hoping you are all a lot less grumpy then I am this morning,
Amy Werbel
Ward 5 School Commissioner
12 Catherine Street
awerbel@bsdvt.org / www.amywerbel.info