Today's Providence Journal ran the following story about Newport's
schools:

"Study finds schools fail financially" -- An independent
organization predicts future deficits because of high expenditures
for such things as special education and contractual agreements.

http://www.projo.com/eastbay/content/projo_20040405_ntskls5.12a940.html


* I'm confused. This report appears to report on what's been known
for several years via the In$site reports at the RI Dept of
Education. Are there any NEW insights coming from RIPEC?

* Who should be surprised that there have been chronic problems with
the system's budgeting practices? School district business manager
Bruce Alexander should be commended for cleaning up the school
system's books.

* Now that RIPEC's financial finger points to costly special
education and health insurance benefits, where are the hard choices
and when are we going to begin making them? Do we artificially trim
special ed programs? Slash staff? Hold out for benefit reductions
and plan on absorbing a strike by teachers? Do we close schools?
Create an Aquidneck Island Unified School District? Or do we just go
back to whining about unfair state aid formulas and the need for
more financial support from the city council?

* We're well into budget season, and this is an election year, so I
am not going to hold my breath and expect any leadership on these
challenges.

* Instead of spending $25,000 on this study, why didn't the school committee and
city council simply hire Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey and his bullhorn for a few
hours?