Trustees only have themselves to blame

MARK-ALAN WHITTLE
Embrace change … make it work CONTACT MARK
TRUSTEES ONLY HAVE THEMSELVES TO BLAME

Mountain News (Hamilton)
It has always been the elected duty of Chairwoman Judith Bishop and the trustees to show good governance for the taxpayers' funds they administer, by striving for excellence and cost efficiency so more funds can be directed into the classroom. In this regard they have failed miserably, despite a governance and administration budget of well over $11 million dollars.
More telling of their collective lack of over-sight is their disingenuous misuse of the public trust to make a political statement that they now boldly proclaim was not their intention. Pinocchio would be proud at the length their noses have grown over the "funding crisis" issue we hear so much about.
Honest and open governance, with a responsibility to the taxpayers, has been replaced with a group of Sabre rattling fools who seem ready to go down with the school board ship, taking our children's right to a cost effective education with them.
Instead of keeping costs down and directing the savings to the classroom, the board has seen fit to enter into a contract with Duke Solutions (formerly Tescor Energy Services Inc.) for a comprehensive energy and water reduction program.
The total estimated cost of this contract is approximately $17 million. The energy savings expected from this program are to fully pay for this project within 10 years.
As the auditor's report shows, energy costs have actually increased by 2.5 percent. By my calculations, first year savings should be a cool $1.7 million. To date, despite numerous written requests, a full public explanation from Judith Bishop and the board has not been forthcoming. How open and honest is that?
When "the trustees claim they are "cutting staff", what they really mean is that retiring teachers won't be replaced. If enrollment has decreased, why is the board hiring teachers when they are not actually needed? Staff should he hired by need.
For example, the number of HWDSB's educational assistants ("EA's") has increased from 1998 to 2002 by 66.5 FTE positions, while the number of special education students has decreased by over 1,000 pupils.
Any school trustee who lacks the leadership to compel the board to live within its means with the funding received should resign.
Judith Bishop and the trustees have nobody left to blame but themselves because in the real world of responsibility there is always a cause and effect.