Very well put Erin. I am a single mom and having to find daycare before and after school is hard to do! I may be showing my age but what happened to the 9-3 days? Every child deserves to be home in daylight to enjoy their friends and family and be active in sports or play. Not riding the bus home in the dark.

This stealth move by the School Committee is very typical of where politics always comes before CHILDREN interests. What ever happened to soliciting feedback from the parents of children that will be impacted by this? This 11th hour change without public comment is down right cheesy and a cheap game of politics. I urge all parents to rally against this recent decision at Tuesday's School Committee meeting. We need more representation and accountability from our elected officials, this will not be swept under the rug.

Does anyone know what the hours of the high school are for this year?

I don't really have a problems with the new times but I do think the change should have been better explained in advance by the school committee.

The school committee did discuss the issue of cutting a bus and that it was going to affect the start times. It's hard to know until you know until the number of children at each school is finalized. The school buget was cut by the Town Council and here is some of the fallout. Come November use your voices and vote!

You had better hope that the lawsuit that is presently in the courts regarding the union pensions is defeated. Otherwise, a $100 Million dollar tab will be handed out to the municipalities to be paid. That will cause cuts to municipal services and closure to some schools and consolidation. More cuts are coming as money is tight.

Results of educational studies show that elementary age children learn best earlier in the day. Ask just about any elementary school teacher, and they can attest to this also. In fact, just ask me.... a grade 3 teacher for 20 years! :)

I am a retired 3rd grade teacher and I will tell you that Erin's comments and reasons are spot on! The bestv learning does definitely take place in the AM. That is why most elementary teachers teach Reading and Math in the morning. As the day goes on, it is much more difficult to hold the childrens' attention. Also , because of necessary appointments more and more instruction time will be missed. I'm surprised at you, North Kingston! I'd always been told that you were an excellent school system. This move seems very "run of the mill" to me.

Joyce

Reality Bites is correct! The SC did say that dropping a bus will change start times. Erin as a professional school teacher for 20 years you have lost touch with the real world. If the TC cut funding resulting in bus reductions there is now less busses available to do the same job. The result? More jobs per remaining busses. Even a third grade math student should be able to figure that out. If the SC was to acquiesce to your demands, how would they fund the extra busses needed to do it? Perhaps by cutting a third grade teacher? It's 10 minutes not two hours! The TC is continually underfunding the schools and things change as a result. You want to fix it? Vote in November

Tired of Tired - Thanks for commenting. Fear not, I definitely understand the reality of this mess. How will they fund the 2 buses they took away? I'm not a politician.I didn't run for an office to solve such problems. I'm an EDUCATOR and NK TAXPAYER. I elected SC members to represent me and hold them accountable to make sound decisions when presented with issues such as this. This bus "solution" isn't sound for all affected by it! It's reprecussions are ethically, educationally, financially,emotionally, and physically stressful for the families. And, it impacts most families of NK students! Voting in November is a given, but unfortunately that won't change what is going to happen in 2 weeks if this issue isn't immediately revisited.

I have to respond to the its ten minutes not two hours comment. When our area was redistricted a couple of years ago, ten minutes was added to our day. I complained then and will be complaining again. I bet our children will not be getting home ten minutes later. I bet they will be getting home even later than that because of the bus cuts. I would assume that means longer bus rides. So I really do not think it is just 10 minutes! Also........ I wonder what the other elementary school hours are in town? Why does Stony Lane and Hamilton always have to be the schools who get out so late? What area of town has the bus cuts? Hopefully not the south end who already has the longest bus rides. Finally, my high school son's bus came at 6:10 last year. That was ridiculous. His was the first bus at the high school by far. Why? Well because his bus driver had to drop them off so early so he could go get the middle school kids to school on time. Why did this driver have both the high school and middle school routes that were farthest from school? 6:10.... yes that was not a typo!!!

This is why going to s c meetings is so important people.... nobody pays attention until the s c's decisions affects them directly. In my opinion, this 10 minute time change is nothing compared to the disasterous decision to FIRE all the custodians for no good reason. Just wait and see how the s c's decision to privatize the custodians is going to affect the every day running of the schools. Make sure you listen to your children when they tell you how many seemingly "little things" aren't getting done anymore. Maybe like soap in the bathrooms... no toilet paper in the stalls... shortage of paper towels in the classrooms and bathrooms. I hope all you concerned parents out there are paying attention. Buckle up everybody, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

The root of the problem is excessive compensation. I know Erin, a teacher (saw that in another post) probably wont agree, but teachers for example in private schools are compensated roughly HALF what union teachers are paid, and they have no problem filling those positions with quality teachers. Teacher compensation is the NUMBER ONE expense in a school. You could save a LOT of buses, programs, and features simply by paying teachers comparatively to the real labor marketplace. I like teachers and the job they do, I can type this because of a teacher. But the imbalance of compensation is the root of all the other problems including excessive taxation in our municipalities. It needs to be adjusted. I also believe that the syatem is going to crash unless compensation and pensions is made affordable. We cant keep cutting around the edges, that will not save us. A ten min start time is the LEAST of what we will face.

Lets say it is your 4/5. (Not sure that includes the pension obligation, and benefits package). But lets say 4/5. If we could save just that 20% on teacher compensation, we could cut taxes AND have all the value-plus programs in place that have been cut in recent years.

Wow! Reading all these comments and listening to residents as I go campaigning door to door, I am hearing how parents feel about the notice regarding the school schedule. People are upset with the change in school start times, and rightfully so. Parents need to get to work, and the delay is wasting valuable learning time. This town needs to be run like a business. I attended meetings last year when the SC bought a plow truck, when they could have utilized the town trucks, a small example, but one of many I'm sure. Let's look at spending. We need to work together for these solutions, so get involved and check out who you want to vote for. There are those of us who are committed to help solve the problems we all face. The school committee and town council has had problems workings together, let’s fix that. I would suggest everyone take a good look at the candidates for school committee, there are 3 excellent candidates who are fiscal conservatives, and have children in the school system who will not compromise on quality education. Attend meetings; let your voice be heard. Hold those you elect accountable. These are our children’s schools, this is our town, let’s take our town back by coming up with solutions, working together and getting involved! If things are not better, take a chance, elect new people.

2 blogs
@NK Parent – I am so glad you’re NOT my parent. Parents should protect their children. I am in our schools volunteering. I am shocked at what I am hearing and seeing. First of all many of the custodians have left. There is nothing wrong with the custodians that are still working, it’s GCA’s hiring history that I have a problem with. What operational problems have occurred in other cities and towns where GCA Services is engaged?
According to a May 19, 2010 Herald Citizen story by Mary Jo Denton, an employee of GCA Services working as a custodian at Northeast Elementary School here in Cookeville was accused of a prior charge of statutory rape and taken into custody by Cookeville police officers.

On April 28, 2010 WSMV-TV news out of Nashville reported several egregious instances of outsourcing agencies that were grossly negligent in hiring:
According to The Jackson Sun, a GCA custodian was accused of raping a 16-year-old student, during school hours-and this worker had been arrested in connection with a previous rape.
In San Antonio a GCA-employed janitor with a prior burglary arrest was caught stealing from his school, and GCA admitted it knew about that past arrest.
In Fort Worth GCA hired a sex offender as a custodian who had used a fake name, and the man suffocated in the boys' locker room after a sex act.

The SC has given this company the power to hire all new employees. Parents of NK children- you should be very worried about the people this company will be hiring. At $8-9 an hour most of the new hires have not lasted more than a few days. More people need to be hired or else the buildings will not be ready when school opens. My children are in the buildings at night for activities and sports. And don’t tell me they are being supervised every minute they are there. That is simply not true. I have seen kids roaming the halls. They play on the school grounds. This is a for profit company. Their focus is their bottom line- not our children! The SC knew this company’s history before they hire them. I don’t care if this is a union issue or not, I am worried about my children’s safety and you should be, too.

$0.88 of every dollar is spent on salary and benefits in the school department. That number grows every year. Stop blaming the committee and start looking at yourself and the other union teachers who refuse to give back in these difficult times.

NKP
I am not a union teacher, but you sound like you’re a school committee member. I’m a taxpayer, too. I believe all public employees must make concessions during these difficult times. But, I believe the SC is distorting the facts about the concessions that the ESP did offer. The ESP did make big concessions that would have saved the taxpayers a lot of money and the custodians made additional concessions that would have saved over $400,000 and more over time. I do not believe the projected amounts that the SC said outsourcing would save. Most” for profit” companies will charge for all the extra services that we have come to expect when we use our school buildings. I don’t even want to think about the legal fees that the NKSD will be paying for the SC’s poor decisions. They don’t care about the town’s children. They just wanted to teach the NKESP a lesson on the taxpayer’s dime.

NK Parent- so many of us are frustrated with decisions being made. Let's stand united as parents who care about our children's education. Dissention and hostility doesn't get problems solved.

Just one small example of a scheduling problem due to change in times:
YMCA Tuesday dance class for grade 4 & 5 starts at 3:45. I would have had 10 minutes to go from Stony Lane to the Y (easily done). Now school ends at 3:45.

NKGOP - I'm a life long believer in catching more flies with honey than vinegar. :)

Erin you started something here. Check the record...the S/C has been held to no budget increases for the last three years and this year is actually less than last year. You elected them to do what? The state law is very specific...read it RIGL 16-2. The T/C has unfunded the budget...not enough money cuts in programs, classes, sports and yes even busses. Blame the S/C thats easy but why didn't you and the others support the S/C budget at the T/C meeting...I received the email from administration and I supported the budget...you too late go complain to the T/C they cut the budget not the S/C. And check the T/C "rainy day fund" with over $10 million of our tqaax money in it...ask them for the $60,000. to restore the bus! GOOD LUCK

@NKP
Why do you refused to address the facts about GCA? What I gave was the short list. There’s not enough blogging space to list all the felonies committed by employees that they have hired, and state by state labor violations that this company has been cited on. The list goes on and on. You keep bringing up one custodian that was terminated and comparing him with the 26 custodians who together had over 400 years of service to the NKSD. I don’t care if GCA has 2 million employees! With the employment history they have the SC should not have hired them. Remember we are not talking about cleaning airports or hotels or warehouse buildings, we talking about cleaning school buildings that our town’s 3400 children are in for 1/3 or more of their day. Why don’t you care about the safety of our kids? I really do think you are a SC member trying to defend a bad decision. NK PARENT- NOT!!!

By all means, please post them. Or better yet, post a link where one can read about this list that goes on and on and on.

I do care about the safety of our kids. i just haven't seen any real evidence that GCA will do a worse job than the current system. As that one NK custodian proves, it's near impossible to screen completely for problem hires.

First of all, I did cite creditable information in my previous blogs today. But, you want more, just for you NK Parent-NOT:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gca-services-enters-federal-consent-decree-to-remedy-wide-ranging-accusations-of-labor-law-violations-131564153.html

"the truth", it's offensive for you to tell people they don't care about kids. That's a ridiculous personal attack and unecessary.

Common Sense - My goal was to raise awareness and hopefully generate discourse about the new school hours in NK. I went to the SC mtgs. when budget cuts were discussed and made. Dr. Auger was vague about exactly how much bus cuts would impact school hrs. because it was too early to look at bus routes, how many kids on a bus, etc... So, I let sleeping dogs lie.... forgot about it. Reality hit when I got the Stony Ln. listserve e-mail on Friday morning. I'm not looking to bash the TC or SC, and I'm definitely not a town budget guru. I simply want my children to go and come home from school at the usual times of last year. Nothing more, nothing less. Thank you for wishing my friends and I luck, even if you were being facetious! :)

The town pays the YMCA $60,000 to hire a couple of kids at our town beach and then they charge parents for swimming lessions at our town beach. If you want to know why the pay so much for life guards; just research who is on the NK YMCA board of directors. Get informed! Follow the money!

Oh and a few local newspaper "stars of the day" who have come and gone... were not actors as much as dupes. Really. And so sad...

Erin
you remind me of a Monday morning quaterback! Typical of folks in this town. Cry when something hits home and didn't care about anything else going on. People like you have alot to say> Why don't any of you run for office! It seems that you have all the answers but not all the information. I'm sure there is alot more to being on the School Committe than on thinks. Not all decisions are going to please everyone but at least there are some good people trying to steer the ship. Give them a break. Pick your battles wisely

Reality Bites - Yes, I feel like a Monday Morning quarterback - LOL. You are right. People pretty much only care about what affects them directly. I'm no different. I would never run for an office of any kind, I'd be terrible! There is SO much work that must go into being on SC. I'm not criticizing ANY SC members or the job they are doing. I am just voicing my views about ONE decision they had to make that hits home.... REALLY HARD. Keep things in perspective, Reality Bites.... for me it is ALL about a change in school hours that is going to be a BEAR on my family's schedule - day in and day out for 180 days. BLECH!

Dave, I was merely stating that the once the sc receives the funding they do what they want with it. If the decision to buy the truck was needed over other items it was their decision. Town Council funds, School Committee spends. It was merely an oberservation, not anything negative. In business we make decisions based on necessity, if the sc needed to spend money on one thing, they they don't have that money for something else. An observation. What my comment stated in case the point was missed, is that both parties need to be able to work together. That is what is most important, now and in the future.

Erin
Voices you views is one thing but I think that you are trying to "Fan the Flames" Don't we have a enough fighting in this town! Stop stirring the s+++!!

Reality Bites - Am I fanning flames or stirring poo? Which is it? Aren't they two polar opposites?

Nothing ventured nothing gained. When I'm sitting in my vehicle at 4:30p.m. in the dark, at my son's bus stop on a raw December afternoon, at least I will know I tried to make a change to the circumstance. Reread my article if you care to fully understand my viewpoint. I didn't create this mess....

Erin
If you want to make a change then follow the money. The TC cut the school buget, did they cut there own NO. Did you go to the TC to fight for the funding for the schools?? THe SC is dealing with the cards they were dealt. I read your article and your viewpoint is narrow minded. THe SC didn't create this mess either, the TC did. Seems to me all you want to do is fight and not come up with any real solutions but bash the SC. Learn all the facts!

Ms Gamba
As a voter considering candidates for office, I would like to know would you vote to add the 2 buses back into the budget, which would mean raising taxes on nk taxpayers to the tune of $120,000 in order to offset school start times by 10 minutes. Although school start times are important, I don't know if 10 minutes is worth $120,000.

Very surprised at your latest comment..........., um..... "DAVE."

It's cherry picking time...I want this and you want that and there isn't moeny for either but I don't care that is what I want! That is what this sounds like. All the proposed cuts in staff, programs and busses were put out in front of everyone yet you waited until the die was cast to complain. This process started in October and yet now when it comes home to roost it is everyone else's fault and not yours. You have a responsibility to follow what is going on in our community...its live on your computer...it is on public access TV... and it is on the school website to be reviewed at a later date. The S/D sent out emails and the list was published in the local papers. What is left knocking at your door and making you listen? Go and complain to the T/C, they have the money, $10 million of your tax dollars, get them to free up the money for the busses or is it easier to blame the S/C and S/D?

Latest per Dr. Auger - All elementery schools will start 10 min. later.
The high school will start 10 min. earlier.

Parents, let's get out our flashlights for our teens in the very early mornings, and keep them out for the little ones when they finally get off the bus in the late afternoon.

Instead of a snide retort to Dave, Erin, why dont you propose specific offset in the budget to get your two busses back and save that ten minutes. We already know you wont ask the teachers for concessions so that helps narrow it down. Be specific. If YOU were the entire SC what would you do differently to replace the $120,000. Looking forward to your reply Erin.

NKGOP Watch- I have a potential solution a friend and I were discussing. I will offer it tonight at the SC mtg. to see what they think. Also, knowing that the Supt. and SC hands' are tied here, I did begin a petition including TC in it- since they are the ones who control the purse strings and have all the power here.

Erin,
One thing that won’t happen is the SC asking the Super and their other 6 figure employees to take a pay cut or give back their merit increases they received this summer after telling the taxpayers there was a budget deficit all year. But, it’s easier for them to blame the TC.

And Erin, the TC does not have all the power. Remember they do not tell the SC how to spend the money they give them.

Here's something to think about. Ball park figure- the NKSD has about 12 people making well over $100,000. The Super makes close to or over $140,000. Benefits about S23,000. Multiply 12 X $115,000 & multiply 12 X $23,000, add the totals together and that = about $1,656,000. Most school districts have the same number of administrators. There are 36 in all. Multiply $1,656,000 X 36 = $59,616,000. Seriously, in this small state do we need 36 of each position? How about 4 regions @ $1,656,000 = $6,624,000 shared amongst other cities & towns. In Florida & Texas there is one superintendent for school systems larger than the state of RI. That were a big chunk of the $$$$$$ goes.

Makes sense, NKLTR, but that would mean the Superintendent would have to let go of control. In Florida, the Principals have a huge amount of latitude to run their schools, they are trusted by the Superintendent and school committee. Try that here!

We tried that, and Foley ran amuck writing checks he didnt even know who they went to!

Erin mentioned the Stony Lane motto "Spouting Knowledge". Seems that Erin is spouting misinformation. She saye the town council "slashed" the school budget. Being a teacher, we should expect better research. The TC approved a 2% INCREASE over last year. I am shocked this "educator" chose to listen to "urban legend" rather than performing rudimentary research regarding budget numbers. I am embarrassed she is teaching in NK.

When you compare what teachers get apid in other states like Florida, Texas, N. Carolina, etc. pay attention to whether they are a right to work state, can strike and how strong is the union. We may be the united States but all states are not equal when it comes to how education is paid for and the rights of the teachers to strike or unionize. N. Carolina is a right to work state and every teacher is paid by the state at the same rate no matter where they teach. Our teachers make more than their principals.

Tired of NK Antics- Read my above comments carefully Sweetie. I DON'T work in NK. I work in the 2nd largest school system in RI. Do YOUR homework. That is not NK. And go figure... they love me there!

NKGOP Watch- consolidating bus stops townwide may help bring back the 10 min. Supt. and Mr. Horan will be investigating this potential solution brought forth by Cheryl Clarkin and I.

@erin, ....ok sugar lips, but the fact remains your little attempt at journalism gets an "F" for accuracy and fact-checking. So honeybuns, maybe you should do a better job at setting an example.

@Erin... Are you REALLY a school teacher? You last post has a third grade grammar mistake. The correct grammar is Cheryl Clarkin an ME. Not Cheryl Clarkin and I. The second largest school district in RI should be ambarassed by your poor grammar and lousy fact checking abilities. No wonder our kids are in trouble!

Tired...Antics- you are right....grammatical error....ooops! So glad you were able to still obtain meaning. I responded to you late, way past my bedtime. I should have held off until the morning! Oh well...sorry!

Tired...Antics - Noticed a few errors in your last posts. Proper nouns need capital letters, and spelling were the two I would have edited if you were one of my students. Those who live in glass houses..... . However, this is petty. Please try to comment on the issue, if you have anything productive to offer.

NK GOP Watch- Yes, it would require longer walks to stops. However, when we were discussing this in relation to many of the neighborhoods off Shermantown Rd., it is only the distance of two or three houses, (a few hundred feet).

Ms. Gamba,

yesterday you said you were at the school committee meeting when the truck vote happened.... now you were at a GOP meeting when the topic came up??? Which one was it? Can your comments be trusted!!

Maybe you should just stick to trying to push through body shop bills.

Ms. Gamba.... you said "I attended meetings last year when the SC bought a plow truck" .... Did the school committee buy a truck during a GOP meeting?

Based on your good standing with Geico would they not raise fees on their clients if the body shop bill you supported was approved? All the other companies would have! But I guess that would have been alright with you since it would have put more money in your pocket.
Don't we already have enough people in Providence who run for office to put money in their own pcokets!!!

informed voter please get your facts straight. Cranston collision tows for the Cranston police whom ordered the wheel chair towed, my driver made the mistake in not getting my input as I would have advised him to have the fire department handle it. Wheelchairs should not be towed by a tow truck due to contamites such as oil and antifreeze residue on the bed of the truck which could cause a hazard to the wheels of the chair. It never rained as you have stated and once I found out about this incident 6 hours later I immediately ordered the operator to deliver the chair back to the owner Emma king. The family had contacted ABC news as to the towing of the chair and I felt horrible about how this was being played so I meet with the king family and told them that I would like to give ms king a new chair. They only wanted the wheels replaced but I felt replacing the chair was the right thing to do. I might add that even mayor Fung also met with the family and explained that it was the police whom ordered the chair towed we didn’t randomly just tow it , and also of our long good standing with the community .When you’re in business things such as this happen but it is how you respond that tells who you are . Also informed you and yours are welcome anytime to personally visit Cranston Collision in which we employee over 25 people some have been here for 2 decades ,we are not thugs as you have suggested but skilled business professionals

Erin, I based my belief not on the statement of the person who could only benefit, but from the totality of the facts AND the tone of the statement. The news reported in the followup piece that this was rectified quickly and above and beyond. Dennis' statement reads very credibly. I am in the auto business myself (not auto body) and checked other sources. So my assessment that this was sincere was based on a number of things. Point being, I would HOPE you dont take public figures at their word alone but check consider a number of things when deciding whether someone is worthy. No credible person ever minds, in fact they INVITE scrutiny when questioned. Thats another thing, Mr Gamba not only made his statement, he also invited the readers to visit his business for themselves. It should also be noted that Sharon Gamba responded to clarify the meeting question by "NK Parent". Laurence Ehrhardt has a reputation for NOT responding, or not responding truthfully or completely. I'm starting to think Ms Gamba would be a better offering than Mr Ehrhardt.

Erin, Thank you for being the voice of many concerned parents!

ET's mom- You are welcome! ;)

I don't get it. I've heard of many studies that show young children are better off learning in the early morning while high schoolers are more in need of sleep. Why don't high schoolers start later and elementary earlier?

My son's school hours have changed so many times over the course of his education. I'm grateful I have a job that has been somewhat flexible (and I'm grateful those years are behind us) but believe me - then, I had to pay for pre AND post school care as a result.

PS. I still haven't officially heard of the time change. My high school son told me. I guess cyberspace is a buzz.

"Been there" I think you are RIGHT! I sat at school meetings where studies were cited showing HS students need to start later than younger kids. (IIRC). Erin you should look for such studies, prob can be found on the web.

Insha'Allah

"Insha Allāh is said when speaking about plans and events expected to occur in the future. The phrase also acknowledges submission to God, with the speaker putting him or herself into God's hands. Muslims believe that everything is maktub [lit.: written] and so whatever it is one wishes to do, will only occur if it is within God's plan. This does not take away from the concept of free will. One's use of Insha Allāh indicates not one's desire to succeed in an endeavor, but rather that the endeavor one embarks on will be within God's will, which might be interpreted as that which is best for Humanity, the Earth, and all of Allah's / God's creation."

FYI if you think the school committee cares about your students, it cares about them as much as they do for the custodians and paras so suck it up we had too. Just tell you bosses you'll be !-2 hours late at least you still have a job.

Bus Stop Update:
Daughter's HS bus doesn't come at 6am. Yes, that time HAS been adjusted just as Dr. Auger said was a possibility. The bus now comes at 5:55am, and my daughter was told to be out there for 5:50am.

Son's bus to SLES is filled to three in a seat in EVERY seat. This will be a joy when cold season starts, and the kids are sneezing and hacking all over the place. Use their coughing corner, you say?.............. How? They'll elbow the kid next to them... if there's any room!

A full bus? That's actually great news. Maximum efficiency on that particular route. Well done.

Tired... Antics - Agreed, as long as bus capacities are not over max. Then it becomes a safety issue for all on the bus.

LLL - quite disheartening that current budget crunches force us to compare our children's experiences in 2012 to those of 40 years ago in order to try to feel fortunate. Yes, you are absolutely correct in your statements. We are far better off than those living in the Cro - Magnon Era as well....